History Of Graphic Design
Posted on April 10th, 2009 at 9:51 am
Posted in design
The MTV logo is one of the most influential devices of “pop culture.” MTV was one of the first television networks to interrupt programming by “popping up” a small version of their logo in the bottom corner of the screen. This small distraction would catch the viewer’s eyes and reinforce to them what they were watching.
The MTV logo has always made an instant connection in the minds of most viewers. One of the most unique aspects of the MTV logo is that new versions are always being released.
The logos vary in size, but are always made up of a large box-letter, capital “M” complete with lower-case “tv”, in handwriting style font, laid over the lower right quarter of the capital M. The various (and many) treatments of the MTV logo is effective because the wide variety of variations is “hip” and it catches the viewer’s eye.
Why is this design so good? By keeping the design simple Frank Olinsky (the original designer) and his team left the ‘M’ open for alteration without altering the identity itself. This flexibility has given MTv the opportunity to put whatever they want in the ‘M’, whether a pattern to match a holiday or a color to represent a genre of music. Music is always changing and with a flexible logo, it allows for minor changes. Creating company identities is a long design process and requires a lot of thought. So many things need to be considered, change in time being one of them.
According to John Sykes, one of MTV’s founders, MTV was intended to be, “a mood, not a show”. Programs that air on MTV are almost always cast with youthful people that set trends while portraying the “typical” teenager and/or college student. From what a viewer sees in the form of fashion trends, they can adjust their wardrobe to look like the “cool guy or pretty girl”. Black is associated with power, elegance, death, evil, and mystery. MTV likes to stress the “M” because that is their reason for broadcasting, “the music of life”.
sources: megaessays.com, writingfordesigners.com
Posted by Steve
No Comments