In 1981, Music Television (MTV) went on the air. Describe MTV’s unique approach to visual identity, including cultural context and influences, and the design firm and designers who designed its identity.
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| The MTV logo was created by Manhattan Design, a graphic design collective (Pat Gorman, Frank Olinsky, Patty Rogoff and Fred Seibert). The distinctive “M” was actually a sketch by Rogoff. The “TV” was spray painted by Olinksky. http://rohitcgartist.blogspot.com/2013/01/mtv-logo-history.html |
Manhattan Design, a studio in New York City, is responsible for creating the MTV logo (1). At first, the designers (Pat Gorman, Frank Olinsky, Patti Rogoff) began sketching cliché ideas containing music notes and letters, until on a piece of paper an “M” was drawn and “TV” was spray painted over it (2). Once the logo was approved by MTV, the designers were asked what the “corporate colors” should be, to which they responded that there shouldn’t be any – the logo should keep changing, just as music does (2). This had never been done before.
ReplyDeleteWhile all other brands seem to be adamant in maintaining a logo that did not change at all, MTV went the opposite route and embraced logo variations. MTV designers saw “the potential of varying the color, decoration, material, dimensionality, viewing angle, and motion of the logo” (1). Hundreds of variations were created and viewers looked forward to seeing the new creations and watch the logo come to life in countless ways. Experimentation in motion graphics and the green light from the network allowed the MTV logo to literally do whatever the designers pleased. The MTV logo “redefined visual identity in the electronic age” (1), and print graphics began to respond to their pioneering and experiment also in “color, texture, decorative graphic elements, and sequence” (1).
Although this was their start, it is not how they operate anymore. I am currently interning at the MTV design department and the guidelines have completely changed. They have refined the logo to be in the proportion of the golden rectangle, so the “M” is squished down more. Brand guidelines dictate that the logo is never allowed to change – you cannot reconstruct it, have it on an angle, add effects or filters, distort proportions, or use different colors for the face and side panels. This is mostly due to the recent channel redesign, although I found it very interesting to learn that it was never intended to be that way.
(1) Megg’s History of Graphic Design, p435
(2) http://www.frankolinsky.com/mtvstory1.html
I love that the spontaneity of the logo matches the nature of the music itself. There's a concept and justification to the fact that the logo keeps changing, other than just being cool. That's what makes it a great design, and ties into the conceptual image movement that comes after the corporate identity shift.
DeleteThis just relates back to what professor always says. In order to be successful, you have to be different and do what no one else has before. MTV thought out of the box in creating their logo, and it turned out to be one of the most successful branding images in history.
DeleteYes Katie, the spontaneity of the logo represents the music. The symbol emotes the subject!
DeleteI agree with Dan..Prof. Ballas is always saying that this industry is great for people with A.D.D. lol...people tend to get bored with certain designs or logos, but there's nothing quite like MTV and how many different versions of their logo that have been produced over the years.
DeleteI agree. As time goes on it gets harder to be original since so much has been done before, but there are always going to be new ideas or at least variations on old themes
DeleteIt is strange how you can't angle the MTV logo anymore because in some of the videos you can see that they used to. What I am wondering is why they decided to do a redesign because I feel like it was kind of unnecessary. It is totally different from the original idea that Manhattan Design came up with.
DeleteDana, I'm psyched to hear of your personal experience with MTV's current brand guidelines! Does designing using these current guidelines help or hinder you as you create?
ReplyDeleteIt really depends - I think the consistent logo really helps the channel have a well-defined and focused voice, although it does so at the cost of losing the spontaneity it once had. As far as designing goes, I think the current guidelines help. The logo anchors the design down. Since they now have so many other shows and channels (MTV2, MTVU, etc.), it is already time-consuming to design the show packaging - if we had to create essentially a new logo variation for each episode, it would take away from the design of the shows.
DeleteI do think many growing changes occurred when the single channel multiplied into separate, distinct channels.
Delete
ReplyDeleteWhen MTV first when on air, it’s main priority was to play music videos continuously. To compliment The Music Television’s first initiative, the network enforced independent risk-taking, experimentation for their designs as seen from the Manhattan Design studio. Partners Pat Gorman, Frank Olinsky, and Patti Rogoff all added to the bold, iconoclastic approach that was inspired from the comic-book art. (1)
The “TV” initials were no accident in the major logo for MTV. Gorman revamped Olinsky’s sketch of the bold “M” and included the “TV” to amplify its memorable and influential trademark. This logo became loose for interpretations and broad with potentials to change the color, decoration, material, dimensionality, viewing angel, and motion of the logo. MTV’s logo took on different personalities, as this trademark was never introduced to its viewer’s in the same fashion twice. MTV’s logo was a constant creation of new identification sequences that involved animations, illustration, photography, and direct manipulation that was transferred it’s constantly changing person brought attention from its rebellious crowd. (1)
Without it’s strong bold, three-dimensional design, Manhattan Design wouldn’t have found it as flexible when interpreting in so many ways. MTV had a major contribution to graphic design as it redefined the electronic age by its reflection of color, texture, decorative graphic elements, and sequence. MTV gained a major visual identity as it trailed Coco-Cola as being the second most recognized logo in the world. It increased the importance of the informative age of visual identity. More of multipart international events, large government entities, and multinational corporations enhanced the importance to project information in the way MTV started. (1)
What I find most interesting about the MTV influence is it’s broad spectrum of variation and creativity. After all, it’s motto pledged on the inconsistency of the MTV logo interpretations. Considerably Manhattan Design’s, interpretations are all incredibly different and drastic. These artists that were commissioned to interpret the logo clearly had a broad spectrum to play and create with this logo. Even as simple as changing the colors and the texture of the design, it unexpected image still brought an attentive desire to seep into these designs. (2)
(1) Megg’s History of Graphic Design Pg 435
(2) http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6033/6316705800_83190ccc54_z.jpg
I think that MTV was really successful in creating a lot of variation and playing with the logo creatively. I wonder if something like that would still work today, with the right audience. I can't really think of any good examples.
DeleteDo you think it's better to have this rebellious approach or to go with cleaner, more consistent identity/branding guidelines?
I think that this variation can only be successful in this particular field. MTV is channel to various music artists. Therefore they have freedom to be diverse with their logo. The only logo I can think that is ever changing is the Google logo. Even though they keep the standard colors, they still vary in the way the logo is presented.
DeleteFor example:
http://www.discoverafricagroup.com/wp-content/uploads/google-holiday-logos-original.png
http://thedesigninspiration.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/google-country-doodles/Nation-Day-04.jpg
I agree with all of the comments that have been added. I believe it's one of the most successful approaches that really gets the audience's attention. As we know, today there is even a more variety of styles, music, practices, etc. what could it be better than the opportunity to relate with something and at the same time entertain yourself with a lot of other concepts. Very conceptual, very diverse and fun.
DeletePersonally I like the spontaneous, unexpected wacky designs that were made for the MTV logo. Back when the experimentation's with the designs were popular, it seemed to compliment with what was culturally going around. However, I feel like today we don't see much of that rebellious approach. I think the cleaner approach is much easier for the designer's audience to consume and remember, which is probably why we recognize MTV's logo by it's crisp, flat colors. (1)
Delete(1) http://www.pop-ology.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/673px-MTV-Logo.svg.jpg
When the question of logos changing came up I immediately went to the goole logo. I've literally received messages from friends telling me to "check out google today." This continual change brings a level of curiosity into the mix. We as consumers become engaged because we want to know what'll be next.
DeleteJessica, I like your example on flickr! Probably my favorites are the oldest ones. They are so old school. I wish I had a T-shirt with one of the old logo. :D :D
DeleteMTV founder Bob Pittman turned to Manhattan Design, a New York City studio, to create the logo and identity. Manhattan Design’s partners Pat Gorman, Frank Olinsky and Patti Rogoff were known for taking risks in design. The firm created a logo mark with a standard sans-serif M, but added interest and spunk with a hand-drawn graffiti type for “TV.” They realized how flexible this mark could be and experimented with how far they could stretch the mark. They broke the common identity rules by having virtually no rules. MTV designers were allowed to add any textures, viewing angle, decoration and colors and to even break up the logo into pieces, which is something that the majority of identity systems, even today, prohibit. They threw away the concept of specifying strict rules on what kind of imagery to use or what emotions MTV promotional materials should have and took an anything-goes approach.
ReplyDeleteIn general, this was a pretty smart move. It stood out from the other strict identity systems and gives MTV a more edgy personality. Its lack of a cohesive voice actually gave it a stronger voice. It also really drills the mark into their audience’s minds, since they see the same mark in so many different interpretations. The logo mark hasn’t changed since its creation in 1981, except for very minor tweaks.
(1) Megg’s History of Graphic Design
(2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MTV#Previous_concepts
How many times have I said ying when others yang! Know what's going on and run the other way!
DeleteI love the way you put it, "Its lack of a cohesive voice actually gave it a stronger voice." I think that is very well said. The fact that they broke away from typical logo norms made them stand out even more. But the basis of their design is essentially still there regardless of how they altered the logo.
DeleteI think this is real interesting how it was created to be an always changing logo. Except from what Dana says, now it isn't like that. Now they don't want the logo changed at all. I don't know if I like the new thinking. Yes, it is good to have a consistent brand, but I think it is nice when the logo stays the same but there are different variations. I think the original way is a nicer and more unique idea.
DeleteMTV, known as Music Television is a world renowned cable television channel headquarted in New York City. Officially launched in August of 1981, It is now one of the most influential widespread channels that is watched all over the world. MTV also remains one of the most popular and loved brands in the world.
ReplyDeleteOne of the most famous logos ever created, the MTV logo was conceptualized by Manhattan Design. he distinctive “M” was actually a sketch by Rogoff. The “TV”, one the other hand, was spray painted. In the initial years, MTV mainly featured a logo which consisted of a big yellow “M” with “TV” in red letters. The network also used several variations of this logo, in terms of color schemes, unique patterns, as well as to commemorate major events. The general shape and proportions of the emblem, however, still remain unchanged (1).
By creating ads where MTV is constantly morphing, and changing the scheme of the logo, they are allowing the public to become accustom an ever changing logo. It was loud, young, and rebellious to traditional design. The MTV logo set the bar for modern logos to come.
(1) http://www.famouslogos.us/mtv-logo/
Dan, can you think of any logos that are directly inspired by MTV's innovation?
DeleteI think the idea that changing the MTV logo will get the public used to it is kind of a contradiction. It works well with the brand but the idea behind it is somewhat funny to me because in order for it to be consistent, they have to keep changing.
DeleteThe MTV log was designed by Frank Olinsky and his team at Manhattan Design in 1981. The graphic logo was loud yet simple and came with the rare ability to maintain a networks identity while being drastically changed on a consistent basis. Although the logo was never the same twice, it maintained the base identity and audience familiarity.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that the logo could withstand such drastic changes is insane, this is what really opened my eyes to how successful the logo is. I have always been a fan of the logo and the changes because I enjoy hand made work and combining mediums which has all been done to the logo. I feel that they should have stayed with the concept to keep changing the logo because it truly defined MTV, they were the first and for a long time the only one able to find a successful way to alter their logo without altering the company. It not only defined the company but set them apart from other companies.
The MTV logo(s) is the perfect example of someone setting out to be different and doing it successfully. By being different they became what everyone wanted to be.
I agreed with you on the hand made style, because the hand made design have always have some kind of style than the graphical one. And yet i was also caught by the design when i first saw it. apparently, this design was not only succeed in U.S but worldwide.
DeleteHand made work is some of the most interesting because it allows for the personality of the designer to shine through and create a unique voice not only for themselves but for the company as well. MTV needs to go back to that.
DeleteHand done is certainly a point worth noting in this discussion! Much of the design we see today presents as extremely slick because of the digital medium used to create it. There is a resurgence of this hand done quality you speak of. The organic, textural qualities that result from hand done can help bring that all important unique and one of a kind feeling to the viewer.
DeleteNow that I think about it, I can't really think of another company that has accomplished what MTV has..by changing their logo consistently, yet still maintaining the company's identity. Can anybody think of any?
DeleteSorry I forgot to include the source:
ReplyDeletehttp://929dave.cbslocal.com/2011/07/31/history-lesson-of-the-mtv-logo/
Sixth Avenue and Eights Street in Greenwich Village in a small loft was where Manhattan Design. Crammed into this tiny room were three desks and chairs, a stat machine, flat files, some telephones, art supplies and three young graphic designers; Pat Gorman, Frank Olinsky and Patti Rogoff. The three didn’t really have much experience, but they made up for it with spirit and creativity. Which I found to be pretty cool that they were given the chance to display their skill when given the job.
ReplyDelete(1)They made some sketches featuring the letters “M”, “T”, and “V”. Some of these sketches included Mickey Mouse-like hands squeezing the notes. At some point an outline drawing of a bold sans serif “M” appeared on a piece of paper. One of the three designers then drew dimensional sides to the “M”. After that a variety of groupings of the letters “TV” were added. Everything seemed too normal looking. Frank suggested that the logo needed to be less corporate somehow, de-faced or graffitied.
The logo should always change was something the group decided on to. Knowing that many animators, designers, ad agencies, etc. were going to be working with the logo made them think how, just like rock music always changes, the logo should also. This was a concept that had never been used on a logo before. The “M” and the “TV” could be made of any colors and/or materials. MTV today day is still changing and recently underwent a rebranding, its cool but lacks the organic feel the old logos had. One thing that has to be said about MTV today is WHERE IS THE MUSIC in the music television station, a question that needs to be answered.
http://www.frankolinsky.com/mtvstory1.html
http://www.designboom.com/design/mtv-logo-refresh/
http://logos.wikia.com/wiki/MTV
I feel the same way about today's MTV identity. One of the greatest things about this station was the fact that diversity on music and styles were brought together, exclusively initiated by the identity of the logo. There was so many concepts and mediums that encouraged people to be creative instead of relying on consistency. It would always surprise. Now a days MTV has completely lost what it stands for. At least we get a good memory of how innovative it used to be.
Deletewhen i was young MTV was one of the TV shows that grew up with me. The Mtv shows were all over the place in the global. when i first saw the show, i have this feel of, wow this show is amazing, the design was so catchy and the style they do was so avant-garde. Even though i started to watched in the late 90s but the logo design its still decent
DeleteI agree 100 percent, I've always used to know MTV as a music station with lots of diversity and change, which was represented in their logo. Their concepts of changing their logo designs used to inspire me because of how creative they were with their concepts and trends. However as we move more into the future, there will always be change for MTV, good or bad.
DeleteI agree with you Arthur, today's branding of MTV pales in comparison of the old ads and commercials. These days it lacks the creativity it once had and the fact that their channels barely even focus on music anymore.
DeleteOver time, do you see MTV reverting back to its organic, change to reflect the music feel or is the sleek, streamlined version of the logo here to stay? With the refined branding, do they project this "reflect the music" feeling in other ways?
DeleteI like that you included the background information on the studio that created the original MTV logo. It is interesting the process behind it. I agree that the current logo lacks the organic feel of the original one. They haven't changed it much but it isn't the same as it was.
DeleteThe studio Manhattan Design designed the MTV logo in the early 1980′s. It is not a surprise that this logo was a revolutionary corporate identity that introduced an innovative language in the standardized world of television.
ReplyDeleteFormer Manhattan Design member Frank Olinsky together with Pat Gorman, and Patti Rogoff, started off as not having enough experience however through a long process of sketching and thinking they brought up the words M and later TV together. Frank suggested that the logo needed to be less corporate somehow, de-faced or graffitied. “Soon after the logo was approved. The next, and probably most revolutionary part of the story came when they were asked to come up with the “corporate colors” for the logo” As a solution they came up with a concept that was totally new at the time. As they envisioned that variety artists would use the identity they thought the logo could have been different all the time. Not only was a risking solution since there was not really a way of imagining the logo but it was clever and innovative.
The MTV logo adapted speed and motion of graphics in a very unusual way for the 80’s. “Regularly animated, shattered, decorated, erased, and reborn in the course of a brief station identification spot”. This changed the idea of logos being presented in a consistent, static form. I personally believe this logo identity was created in order to fit the culture of the audience at the time.
(http://www.frankolinsky.com/mtvstory1.html)
(http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/07/06/the-evolution-of-the-logo/)
I definitely also believe that the logo had a huge influence with the cultural background of the time. The 80's had this really bombastic, vibrantly colorful, and rebellious style that MTV's logo then reacted to. It's probably ideal for the designers to play with the culture in their designs in order to relate to the audience.
DeleteNot only did the had a huge influence on the 80's funky style, but it also had an obvious influence with the music as well, which was partly why MTV's logo was so vibrant and rebellious. If you notice in the video that the professor showed us, there was a point where the music sounded rock and metal, which was why the logo at that point was designed to fit that genre of music.
DeleteThere is no doubt the original symbol design reflects the period it was created in. The over the top colors, patterns, mediums can be directly connected to fashion, music, ideals of the period. The cool aspect is every one of these elements can change to reflect what is happening now and still effectively communicate what the brand is about.
DeleteOh I am sure these guys had so much fun designing all these wacky logos!! They are so colorful, dynamic and funky. Even when I was younger and was watching MTV I thought these little MTV short cuts are the coolest things ever. Definitely better than all these stupid reality shows what took over the channel these days.
DeleteThe logo of the MTV was design in the Manhattan called studio of Manhattan. The designers of the logo were Pat Gorman, Frank Olinsky and Patty Rogoff. At first, the logo were only created with only yellow "M" and red "tv". but this design surprisingly turned out so well that they can use so many different elements to design this logo, such as patters, colors, and other major events that is happening around that time.
ReplyDeleteThree of them started out with sketching the ideas out and after a good amount of time they came out with the M and tv together. Unlike so other formal brand, the Mtv logo has its own style in some way that is connected to the music style and the art form. it turned out pretty graphical yet with hand made feel.
In the end, the logo was and is very successful, it can be changed in culturally, and follow with events but not lose its original meaning, which is Music TV show.
http://www.famouslogos.us/mtv-logo/
Deletehttp://www.frankolinsky.com/mtvstory1.html
forgot to have the links together
I said in class: good design is planned, great design happens by accident. The sketchy MTV logo is a perfect example of this!
Deletein 1929, the corporation Warner Amex decided to created a 24 hour music cable television station. They hired Manhattan Design to make their logo. The logo was sketched out and played with, starting with an M which they eventually made three dimensional and with TV on top. The design team thought that logo itself was too boring. They wanted the logo to be less corporate and more like music itself.
ReplyDeleteOne of the designers, Frank Olinsky took a large "M" and took it to the staircase and spray painted the TV on and created the logo we all know now. The idea behind their logo was that they would use this design but keep the colors and treatment different because just like music would change, so would the logo.
What I found most interesting was that recently they made changes to the logo. The new one is cropped so it has the ratio of 6 by 4. This size allows for photographs to fit into the logo easier. Though to many people the logo looks the same, it does make a difference.
1. http://www.museum.tv/eotvsection.php?entrycode=musictelevis
2. http://www.designboom.com/design/mtv-logo-refresh/
3. http://www.frankolinsky.com/mtvstory1.html
Kitty, I believe you mean 1989! Oh yes, we're talking about ratio again! How funny is it we just came off the International Typographic Style and their formal concerns grid, structure and the golden ratio!
DeleteEven though the logo remains really consistent, I like that MTV still plays around with what is shown inside of it such as footage or photography.. At least in that way they can keep it from being too predictable.
DeleteMedia visionary Bob Pittman initiated the idea of a round-the-clock music television station at a time when music videos had not yet reached full flower as a creative medium. The fledgling network commissioned a logo design from Manhattan Design, a NYC studio noted for its independent, risk-taking experimentation, especially for music industry clients. Partners Pat Gorman, Frank Olinsky, and Patti Rogoff all had fine arts backgrounds; in addition, each had a bold, iconoclastic approach gained from an interest in comic-book art. (1)
ReplyDeleteDuring the design process, Gorman felt Olinsky’s sketch of a bold, three-dimensional sans-serif “M” needed further development, so she scrawled a large, graffiti-like “TV” on its face, creating a memorable and influential trademark. With these variations, the logo could assume different personalities, participate in animated events, and be demolished. The concept of a logo with a constantly changing persona runs contrary to the widely held belief that trademarks and visual identifiers should be absolutely fixed and used in a consistent manner. (1)
I personally love the unique designs that MTV created over the years. It has kept people like my older brother on their toes anticipating the different designs that MTV created for their logos. My older brother grew up watching MTV when it was first released, and was a fan of their trendy concepts for their logo. I personally feel they should have kept the idea of changing the logo around because it literally screamed youth and funkiness; that’s what I feel the logo represented along with the idea of a music television. It was a logo that was able to successfully change the look of the face while not actually changing the business behind it.
(1) Megg’s History of Graphic Design
I agree with you, I think the concept behind the changing logo fit the MTV identity much better then one logo set in stone. They started off playing all different types of music so the station was all about variety and creativity. Recently the station has started to get lost in the crowd with all the other generic stations and I think if they want to get back to what they once were they should reconsider the idea of keeping one logo.
DeleteSince the spontaneity of the logo is now replaced by an extremely formal and consistent one, has MTV found other ways to bring this ever changing feel to their audience? Is this original magic gone?
DeleteThe MTV logo was created by a young graphic design collective, Pat Gorman, Frank Plinsky and Patti Rogoff, known as Manhattan Design. Since they were young and inexperienced so their company name, Manhattan Design, served as a way to make it seem that they were a well-established design firm to potential clients. Unlike today they didn’t have the easy and connivance tool known as a Adobe photoshop, so their tools were nothing but ink, makers, Xerox copies, and Photostats (1). This is a aspect that I liked about their set up and tools, with out the computer and being oversaturated with everything on the internet they were free to create how they pleased without always staring at a computer.
ReplyDeleteWhen Fred Seibert, current creative director at MTV and old time friend of Frank, called him for a job that began the birth of the illustrious MTV logo known today. In the begin creating process Frank and his team created a variety of sketches that featured obvious and cliché music symbols which were quickly dismissed (2). They continued sketching with the letters “M”, “T” and “V” appearing including a mickey-mouse like character squeezing the notes (3). Unfortunately it was still considered to corporate to boring. This lead to Frank playing with one of the “M”, which during the sketching process became a dimensional M, and blew it up took it to a stairwell with a black spray paint and doodled the “tv” to the “M” birthing the famous MTV logo. The new logo was then send up to Frank where it was surprisingly thrown in the wastebasket and then reconsidered. When send back to the group for refinement they were required to come up with corporate colors, which they decided there shouldn’t be any, believing that the logo should change just like rock music always changes. This was something that was never done before for a logo.
I personally love the story behind the creation of the MTV logo because it was made by young kids who only had their creativity and determination to create one of the most well known logos of all time, it really inspires me to try and be creative and try to “design” without the computer.
(1), (2), (3) http://www.frankolinsky.com/mtvstory1.html
http://www.famouslogos.us/mtv-logo/
http://www.museum.tv/eotvsection.php?entrycode=musictelevis
The story of the MTV logo should be inspirational to most designers. It is the story of a group of people who decided to do their own thing and not follow the crowd. They decided they were going to create and stick with a concept and make it work. By taking a risk it payed off and they created one of the most famous logos in design history.
DeleteYes John! March to the beat of your own drummer. I want you to bring your unique perspective to the creative table and not follow what everyone else is doing!
DeleteWhen MTV was first starting up and looking for someone to design their logo, there were no computers around. Amongst the several designers working on trying to create a logo for the company, there was a small firm that was just starting out called Manhattan Design. The company was formed by Frank Olinsky, Pat Gorman, Patty Rogoff, and Fred Seibert. Although these men had little experience, their passion for their work shone through. Because there were no computers then, they used very simple tools for their designs like markers, ink, xerox copies, and photosats. Fred was working for Warner Amex at the time that they were planning to come up with a 24-hour cable music station. Manhattan Design came up with many ideas before they got to the final one, which was even rejected a few times before accepted. Their approach to the final design was simple: a big, block, three-dimensional "M" with the additional "tv" spray painted onto the side. It took a few tries to get the "tv" part right but eventually it came together. When Frank Olinsky was designing the "tv" he thought back to his childhood and a TV show he used to watch where the kids would interact and get to write on the TV over a plastic cover. He ended up using spray paint and it worked out very nicely. Then Warner Amex asked them to incorporate "Music Television" under the logo, and that's how it was finished. The next step was to come up with the logo's signature colors. They decided that it should not have set colors in the design and that the colors and patterns that the design would take on would change constantly, like the way rock-n-roll music was changing.
ReplyDeleteI think that because their experience was not heavy and they had not done many designs before, it gave them a bit of an upper hand because they could come up with something from complete scratch that didn't reflect anything else they had ever done. This simple image became something so creative because of the idea of it matching the way that rock-n-roll was constantly changing and reinventing itself.
http://www.frankolinsky.com/mtvstory1.html
Leave no creative stone unturned Megan. The creative process is rarely a direct line to the final design. There are many twists and turns involved to arrive at that perfect solution.
DeleteI agree with you when you said their lack of experience played to their advantage when designing the MTV logo. As human beings we do things out of habit and when dealing with design that’s not a good thing. People like new things, but don’t always want to take risk yet the reward can be great if you do.
DeleteMTV was launched on August 1, 1981, with the words "Ladies and gentlemen, rock and roll," spoken on camera by John Lack, one of the creators of MTV. This introduction was immediately followed by the music video clip Video Killed the Radio Star, featuring a band called the Buggles. The title proved somewhat prophetic as MTV greatly transformed the nature of music industry stardom over the next several years. At the same time, MTV became a major presence in the cable TV industry and in fact in the overall American cultural landscape.
ReplyDeleteOne of the earliest and greatest cable success stories, MTV was established by Warner Amex Satellite Entertainment Company (WASEC) after extensive marketing research. The key to MTV's viability, at least initially, was the availability of low-cost programming in the form of music videos. Originally these were provided free by record companies, which thought of them as advertising for their records and performers. MTV presented one video after another in a constant "flow" that contrasted with the discrete individual programs found on other television networks. Clips were repeated from time to time according to a light, medium, or heavy "rotation" schedule.(1)
Pat Gorman, Frank Olinsky and Patti Rogoff, three young graphic designers just starting off in the big city had a company named, Manhattan Design. Everything they designed was done with very simple tools: markers, ink, xerox copies, and photostats. Fred was working for Warner Amex. Pat, Frank and Patti began doing many sketches for a logo. Their earliest ideas featured notes and other obvious music symbols. They made some sketches featuring the letters “M”, “T”, and “V”. At some point an outline drawing of a bold sans serif “M” appeared on a piece of paper. One of the three designers then drew dimensional sides to the “M”. After that a variety of groupings of the letters “TV” were added. He took an enlarged copy the fat “M” drawing and went into the narrow stairwell with a piece of acetate and a can of black spray paint. The next thing you knew the now famous “TV” lettering appeared. Fred sent the sketches back to Manhattan Design for refinement. Things like putting MUSIC TELEVISION under the big “M”. Soon after the logo was approved.(2)
(1) http://www.museum.tv/eotvsection.php?entrycode=musictelevis
(2) http://www.frankolinsky.com/mtvstory1.html
The selection of initial videos was quite limited. I recall these initial videos being repeated again and again. The of course, the launch of a new video became the most music news worthy item! Lot's of buzz about it.
DeleteThree designers Pat Gorman, Frank Olinsky and Patti Rogoff worked together in a small room in Greenwich Village, New york. The three designers had a job to create a logo for Frank Olinksys friend who was creating a channel that would have music on it 24/7. After have the logo approved they had to think of colors for the logo. the group of designers decided to not have a set family of colors for the company, they wanted it to constantly change. They knew that many designers would work on it and wanted to change just like rock and roll. Young teens and rock and roll of the time were the main influences for the channel and the logo. It changed to meet the modern style of the teens. the logo seemed to be rebellious and juvenile. This i what made the company so poplar.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3468303148.html
Deletehttp://www.frankolinsky.com/mtvstory1.html
Aren't we all a little rebellious and juvenile?!
DeleteI think their idea of having the logo constantly change was the greatest idea anyone had. Each logo is exciting and creative. Having the young teens of the time influence their logos really made the difference. Rebellious and juvenile is exactly what we still are today, so the logo will always from the beginning of its time fit its audience.
DeleteMTV was established by a small group of enthusiasts at an organisation called Warner Amex Satellite Entertainment Company, a joint cable TV venture between Warner Communications and American Express. (1)
ReplyDeleteMTV first went on the air in 1981. Media visionary Bob Pittman initiated the idea of a round-the-clock music television station at a time when music videos had not yet reached full flower as a creative medium and only eighteen million American households subscribed to cable television. The fledgling network commissioned a logo design from Manhattan Design, a New York City studio noted for its independent, risk-taking experimentation, especially for music-industry clients. Partners Pat Gorman (b. 1947), Frank Olinsky (b. 1950), and Patti Rogoff (b. 1945) all had fine-arts backgrounds; in addition, each had a bold, iconoclastic approach gained from an interest in comic-book art. Olinsky’s father was an animator and illustrator, while Gorman’s father was an actor. While growing up, Gorman had spent many hours in studios and playing with equipment, so television became her native language. (2)
During the design process, Gorman felt Olinsky’s sketch of a bold, three-dimensional sans-serif M needed further development, so she scrawled a large, graffiti-like TV on its face, creating a memorable and influential trademark. A moment of insight occurred when the designers realized the potential of varying the color, decoration, material, dimensionality, viewing angle, and motion of the logo., with its broad flatM and vigorous TV. With these variations, the logo could assume different personalities, participate in animated events, and be demolished. The concept of a logo with a constantly changing persona runs contrary to the widely held belief that trademarks and visual identifiers should be absolutely fixed and used in a consistent manner. Once this concept was decided upon, Manhattan Design produced hundreds of sketches to show possible variations. (2)
MTV's logo was a breakthrough in visual communications, because it proved that inconsistency and randomness can be the permanent features that define the image of a company.
(1) http://www.brandrepublic.com/news/516339/
(2) https://www.inkling.com/read/history-of-graphic-design-philip-meggs-5th/chapter-20/the-music-television-logo
It’s interesting to note that Olinsky’s father was an animator and illustrator and that Olinsky ultimately ended doing the same thing. It’s funny how the careers our parents choose have a way of become our chosen paths in life.
DeleteYes, I guess his father inspired his career path, even though Olinsky's work must have been far more rebellious than his father's.
DeleteIt certainly helps to have positive influences and support during our formative years. I'm certain Olinsky was surrounded by creativity growing up.
DeleteThe fact that you mentioned Manhattan design as "independent, risk-taking experimentation, especially for music-industry clients," makes me curious about what other music brands or companies that this firm designed for and if the look was similar.
DeleteCreated during a time period when the separation between photographer, illustrator and designer were beginning to become an all-in-one title. The approach to MTV’s visual identity by Manhattan Design was one of “bad television” by Pat Gorman in an industry where “correct floor fidelity” was the normal (1). The network launched in the ‘80s, during the time of the crack cocaine epidemic, while heavy portrayal of sex, drugs and rock & rock became a phenomenon in music. Its target audience was young rebellious teenagers and 20-something-year-olds. When dealing with a market such as that, you have to be the same: young, fresh and rebellious, which the designers of the MTV logo understood. Thus, it has been that anything goes notion that has allowed MTV to rebrand itself through the decades and stay current. Viewers have come to expect MTV to constantly change their logo, compared to other famous brands.
ReplyDeleteThe designers who created the logo along with Pat Gorman were Frank Olinsky and Patty Rogoff, while supervised by MTV creative director Fred Seibert, according to his website (2). The “M” was done by Rogoff and “TV” was later sprayed by Olinsky.
(1) Megg’s History of Graphic Design
(2) http://fredseibert.com/tagged/MTV_logo
Yes, the logo design speaks directly to the intended audience and allows this target audience to emotionally connect with it's message.
DeleteThe cultural and generational context of the logo definitely had a huge hand in its style. I'm still impressed at how effectively they captured the traits of the contemporary generation in their logo. The easy route would've been to have the "TV" spray-painted, but it was much more creative to scrap that in favor of a constantly changing logo.
DeleteI think the whole "anything goes" mentality/ideal that you mentioned really is evident through the MTV logo. This is obvious not only in the way that it is always changing but through how exactly it is always changing. More thought is put into each different design than just about making it look cool. As you mentioned, the eighties was a time of bright, loud color and the MTV logos during that time mimic just that. It is interesting to watch how the logo has evolved with the cultural influences of that time.
DeleteGorman, Frank Olinsky and Patti Rogoff crammed into this tiny room were three desks and chairs, a stat machine, flat files, some telephones and art supplies. Pat Winky Dink was actually the first interactive TV. During the cartoon episodes of this, various parts of things were left undrawn and the main character Winky Dink, who was a cute little fellow with a star-shaped head, would run into trouble and crayon-wielding viewers were asked to help him out at key moments by filling in the missing parts on a special clear plastic film that was placed over their TV screens.(1) MTV was also influenced by the bright colors of the 80’s.The most revolutionary part of the story came when they were asked to come up with the “corporate colors” for the logo. The decision was made that there weren’t any, and that the logo should always change. Knowing that many animators, designers, ad agencies, etc. were going to be working with the logo made them think how, just like rock music always changes, the logo should also. This was a concept that had never been used on a logo before. This was a great idea for a logo because I know the logo should represent the company and everyone should recognize it but it should also capture the attention of the audience (teenagers).
ReplyDelete(1) http://www.frankolinsky.com/mtvstory1.html
I just love the idea of continual change... quite amazing how effective it communicates and still maintains the spirit and voice of the brand.
DeleteMTV started as “The Music Channel” in early 1980. The vice president, Fred Seibert, of MTV’s parent company commissioned Manhattan Design graphic artists to compose the channel’s official logo. The firm’s first logo attempt, an illustration of a hand holding some sort of a tomato music note, was eventually rejected for not effectively including the network’s full name. After countless executions of ideas, Manhattan Design created the prototype of the now-world famous MTV logo, bearing a distinctive M and a proportionally smaller TV. Seibert called the dichotomy of the ID proportions a mix of “classic” and “daring,” as well as possessing “shape, size and simplicity.” (1) An essential trait of MTV’s classic logo is its constant state of change. While maintaining the same “massive M, little TV” template, the firm conceived dozens of creative logo variations, all of which MTV insisted on using. The constant change of the MTV logo is what truly separated it from the pack of networks, as most networks to this day insist on “solid, readily identifiable, and never…changing” logos. (1)
ReplyDelete(1) http://www.scribd.com/doc/9252967/New-Network-Look-Hairy-Fat
How odd is that tomato MTV logo? Almost looks like Mickey Mouse is holding it!
DeleteHa, so weird. Scrapping it was essential to the branding of MTV. Also, I'm sure there would've been some copyright issues with Disney, and if not, then a lack of identity on MTV's part. It would've been challenging for the average viewer to distinguish the emerging MTV as a solid brand with its logo bearing similarities to the Disney powerhouse.
DeleteMusic Television first went on the air in 1981. The network commissioned a logo design from Manhattan Design, a New York City studio noted for its independent, risk-taking experimentation, especially for music industry clients. Partners Pat Gorman, Frank Olinsky, and Patti Rogoff all coordinated to create the logo. Olinsky came up with the bold, sans-serif M, and then Gorman added the graffiti-like TV to it, creating a memorable and influential trademark. The group had an epiphany when they discovered the potential variations of color, decoration, material, dimensionality, viewing angle and motion of the logo. This gave the logo a slew of possible personalities, which went perfectly for something as broad and diverse as music. This concept of a logo with a constantly changing persona runs contrary to the widely held belief that trademarks and visual identifiers should be absolutely fixed and used in a consistent manner.
ReplyDeleteMegg's History of Graphic Design
http://www.famouslogos.us/mtv-logo/
http://rohitcgartist.blogspot.com/2013/01/mtv-logo-history.html
Yes, MTV is a text book example of a symbol that rocks the "standard" boat. There is always an exception to every rule.
DeleteManhattan Design created the famous logo for MTV. Pat Gorman, Frank Olinsky and Patti Rogoff were the first designers at Manhattan Design, which that time was a small, not famous company. The designers were young and they were not known in the business. They got lucky when a friend of a friend gave them a job to design a logo for the a new music station, which would air music videos around the clock.
ReplyDeleteAfter sketching some obvious music symbols they came up with the unique idea to design a bold 3 dimensional "M" letter (which stands for music) and a graffiti like "TV" on its face. After creating this trademark for MTV they decided not to stick with some specific colors, which was a brilliant and very risky idea. They had the insight if they don't establish trademark colors, leaving space for a variety of colors, decorations, materials for MTV. The potential to varying colors, the logo could assume different personalities, participate in different animated events. They can target different people, who listen to different kind of music. As the music taste differs so can the logo. It was a great insight while holding consistency in the forms of the letters, they left the colors and materials flexible for changes.
I did some research on the subject and I learnt MTV has different campaigns, which based on the same idea. For example the MTV Hits - Idents video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKmSVTPHHIw - while the "dancing" worm figure is consistent the color and the style of the worms differ saying the MTV worms have different music tastes so do MTV viewers.
Another example is the "Walking Yeti" an MTV spot from 2009 where the yeti doesn't change, it keeps walking while the yeti's hair style constantly changing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1jPKOQozdM
There is an other company who does the same thing: Google with its google doodles. The google doodles are changing according to events, annual holidays,t they change styles but they always spell out the Google word and this is how it keeps its consistency.
MTV began in the early 1980's and its logo was designed by Manhattan Design firm which was run by Pat Gorman, Frank Olinsky and Patti Rogoff. When they were asked to com up with a logo for Music Television, the 'M' was the first and easiest part but they felt that they needed to spice it up a little bit. It was then that one of the designers took the drawn 'M' into the stairwell and spray painted the 'TV' onto it. The next, and probably most revolutionary part of the story came when they were asked to come up with the “corporate colors” for the logo. The decision was made that there weren’t any, and that the logo should always change. Knowing that many animators, designers, ad agencies, etc. were going to be working with the logo made them think how, just like rock music always changes, the logo should also. This was a concept that had never been used on a logo before. The “M” and the “TV” could be made of any colors and/or materials.
ReplyDeleteSource: http://www.frankolinsky.com/mtvstory1.html\
I think it is the greatest idea that knowing many of the designers were going to be working with the logo and that just like rock music always changes, its logo should be one that always changes as well. Because this was a concept that was never done before is what made it so successful. It is always fun to play around and make your own MTV logo, just because it can be made up of any colors and/or materials like you said.
ReplyDeleteThe MTV logo was designed by Manhattan Design, in 1981, by a team of graphic designers. The team consisted of Pat Gorman, Frank Olinsky and Patti Rogoff.
ReplyDeleteThe team was a creative force behind many images of MTV logo. Rogoff designed the M, and Olinsky added the TV.
When MTV wanted the corporate color, they decided not to have one. Instead, the logo would constantly change, reflecting the pop culture that MTV is using. For this reason, MTV became well known for becoming a corporate identity without a set design. The letters MTV doesn't change, only the colors, patterns and the materials change. This idea became hip and cool among the young generations.