FIRST Email - Introducing Evolution of the FIRST Logo

[dlavery]

Considering the alternative logos designs that they COULD have used (), the new one isn't so bad...

-dave

[JoeXIII'007]

Originally Posted by dlavery

Considering the alternative logos designs that they COULD have used (), the new one isn't so bad...

-dave

VERY TRUE!!!! But, I look at the old logo and I think 'FIRST is really something' and then I see the new one and I think . In fact there is a lot that can be done to the new logo to make it look much better:

-Outline the corners of the triangle, square, and circle to give it a nice, tech look.
-Space out the 'FIRST' letters and center align the word.

Otherwise, I'm willing to accept the new logo.

[roboticsguy1988]

I agree with a lot of the topic replies in this thread. The new logo is worse than the older one, and it does look like a cartoon, and it does look like something meant for FLL. FIRST could have made a better logo if they really wanted a new one. The old one really looked more professional, and a lot more attractive.

I also feel that the standards are somewhat strict , however, i do realize that they have to be to a certain extent. Also i think that they should have two separate logo's one thats animated for such things as websites, animations, videos, etc. and then another thats still for things like Shirts, Printouts, Banners, etc.

[ShadowKnight]

I would like to say that for whatever reason, FIRST feels that this new logo embodies how FIRST has changed. FIRST has changed and they want their smbol to represent that change. As other have said, FIRST has not commented on why they have made this change, however I am certain FIRST has its reasons and they are valid. The important thing is not the symbol but what the symbol stands for.

[n0cturnalxb]

I think I mainly don't like the logo from a more artistic perspective. It's just.. not balanced, and balance is really important when it comes to visual appeal (at least, to me). Yeah, this might not mean much coming from a high school senior who's only been involved in FIRST since 2004, but..

The triangle's too tall/too high up compared to the rest of the shapes
The square is a bit too skewed.. reverse it a little and make it look more like a square than a diamond and I'll be okay with it
As for the text .. I don't really like the offset and would prefer a more spaced out, centered version..

But.. yeah, it's up to FIRST, obviously. If they feel that this embodies the changes that have occurred within FIRST.. then, okay. It's their logo. I hope they do release a more detailed explanation of the changes, though.. till then, I'll go read the logo standards guide.. thing.

[edit]
Thanks, dez250, but I've read everything and downloaded everything I could or should read/download. I still don't understand the exact reasoning behind the exact design that they settled on, but I'm okay. I'd still greatly appreciate it if FIRST ever comes out with a more detailed description of the reasoning behind this exact design.. but then again, I realize that this might not be possible. -shrug-

The logo's growing on me, though.. I guess. I'm still iffy about the balance but.. oh well. It does look a great deal better on black than it does on white.

The logo standards are ... very strict, though. I guess I'll have to rethink one of my preliminary website designs

[dez250]

Please as an effort to explain why the change has occured, read the Q&A section of the Evolution of the FIRST Logo and see why FIRST has decided to change their logo. Also The transition period for the new logo to be introduced is an expected year. To get the new graphics for print and electronic uses please visit the FRC Resource Center and to see the new logo standards for use and regulation, please see the Logo Standards Documentation .

[ShadowKnight]

I would agree that a more detailed explanation of what changes they believe the new logo embodies would be appreciated by the FIRST community. The community will definately move on (in three weeks this will be old news anyway)

[Salik Syed]

I also agree the perspective on the shapes is totally "wrong" if i can say that... artistically speaking it just doesn't look right... the triangle and square are definitely waaaay to angled (making it seem vertically disproportionate)

[Pierson]

Originally Posted by Elgin Clock

I FEAR CHANGE!!!!!

Just kidding.. But seriously, I hope no one spent a lot of time on this new one. It looks more aimed at a kid's competition. Like, Maybe FLL?

This is EXACTLY what I thought. It looks very childish, like something I would expect to see at Toys-R-Us not something I would expect to see at a high school robotics competition where big name corporate sponsors are involved.

FIRST has never "disappointed" me, but this might be a first (no pun intended). Unless they plan on doing something radical with the logo, it is not an evolution but a de-evolution.

[Cory]

God that's ugly.

If that's the best logo they came up with when they were revising it, I don't even wanna see the others.

[Jeffrafa]

Alright - i'm not usually too big on commenting back about things such as this, but i'm gonna put in my say anyways.

I wasn't too sure about the logo when i initially saw it today, but i actually think its alright. It'll just take getting used to for people. There's a lot of comments about how the triangle is too big, the square is turned too much, and the words should be centered, but i think those things are actually fine how they are. The words being offset helps balance the triangle being larger, and the cartoony look to the shapes seems to help represent that FIRST is still all about having fun and learning at the same time. I've tried to imagine the same logo, only equalized shapes and centered lettering and i think it'd look much worse than this does - the differences make it creative and cool. I particularly like the bold, italicized FIRST - it gives the feeling of moving forward and progressing as well as the bold helps it to stay as a strong logo instead of just seeming silly.

I will agree with that it looks much better on black than on white because of the circle not being defined - but overall i think it is a good change and just the initial response from people is reacting to the change.

I'm sure much more time went into developing this new logo than many of us would guess. It most likely went through being selected out of many different ideas for logos, then refined countless times to what we have now. They certianly didn't tell someone two days ago to draw up a new logo for FIRST, they have probably been planning this for weeks.

To sum it up - I'm generally in support of the new logo, it was a good change for FIRST. As others have said, it would be nice to see something from first explaining more of the reasoning behind the change and maybe some reasoning to specific points of the design, but even if this does not come I am still in support of the logo.

[Kit Gerhart]

Originally Posted by Courtneyb1023

maybe they are only doing this to make us realise how great the other logo was. They'll use this new one for a while, then go back to the old one that everyone knows and loves, and call it "retro"...i am going to choose to beleive that...

...kind of like "New Coke" which didn't go over so well and thus begat "Coke Classic."

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by dlavery

Considering the alternative logos designs that they COULD have used (), the new one isn't so bad...

-dave

I want to point something out. Look at the O and S in Microsoft. Then look at the S and T in FIRST.

I'll give you all a minute to shake in your boots.

[Joe Matt]

Originally Posted by David Kelly

After staring at the logo for the whole afternoon and after reading the Q & A and the document, I think that this is an excellent move on FIRST's part. Everybody talks about how FIRST needs to do a better job of promoting itself. FIRST took that step that we have been pushing them to do to help give FIRST a real identity. This is very similar as to what FedEx did when they decided to "re-brand" themselves from Federal Express to FedEx.

FIRST is a much different program than they were back in 2000 or so when they changed from the flat logo, to the 3-D looking one. I believe that made a positive impact for selling their brand. Right now, I see FIRST in it's 3rd generation. I would separate it out with these time periods of 1989 - 1998/1999, 1999/2000 - 2004, and finally 2005 - future. FIRST is selling a brand, and needs to make itself more widely known or accessible to help create more growth and support. I think FIRST made an excellent decision in putting together the guidelines for the "do and do-not's" of their logo. The FIRST brand needs to have the same look everywhere that they are publicized and seen.

I think that we should all praise FIRST for taking this HUGE step in what we all have been asking them to do, promote itself. This was a business decision and one that I believe will have a huge payoff down the road.

Good work FIRST!

So a cartoony logo that belongs in Toys'r'Us is supposed to show off gracious professionalism how? Quick question Dave, is there anything that FIRST puts out you don't like?

Wow, I guess we are almost there, perfect marketing....



(In defense of the logo, I like the B&W one a lot, just the colored one sucks)

[Alexander McGee]

Originally Posted by Billfred

I want to point something out. Look at the O and S in Microsoft. Then look at the S and T in FIRST.

I'll give you all a minute to shake in your boots.

Wow. You're absolutely right. That is frightening.

I think the new logo looks a lot like: Someone attempting to recreate the old one, having only seen the old one for a split second, and having NO graphical experience whatsoever.

I am frankly bewildered with the seriousness that FIRST has placed on this. I understand the importance of creating a new logo, but it is as if they expected us to hate it, but demand us to adapt regardless.

As someone who has been involved with FIRST since the conception of FLL, I have grow quite attached to the old logo. It means something to me. It brings back memories. Very good memories. This new logo probably wont upset people who haven't been involved as long as I, but you who have been in this as long as I know the feeling.

I just don't like it.