ugly logo?
- Thread starter OrsonM
- Start date
The logo is not *so* bad, in my regards. It seams fine to choose a serif font to contrast against the main logo. Using the same color scheme holds it together. *Maybe* it could have been embossed, too, but I don't find it necessary.
It's position may be obvious - but I don't think there are alternatives! The big "V" will make it impossible to attach the new line centered under the main logo, as the logo will fall apart.
The cross/sword/dagger "+" may be cliché, but it fits perfectly the spirit of the expansion, which is mainly religion, but more military stuff, too.
So, all of this might be a little bit obvious and maybe lazy, but I can very well live with it.
--
Something different, though...
Well, your prayers where heard. Have a closer look to the new frame style (mainly the information windows, but the main screen, too): There are floral ornaments dwelling everywhere now! Gone are the times of "nice and clear Art Deco style"
I *don't* want to complain, but for *my personal taste* this is a little bit to much. If they wanted to "pimp" the UI, they should have kept the original Art Deco style, which is full of floral elements, too, but they are more clear and graphical. The new elements seem to be quite baroque (in my regards, but I'm not an expert here.)
But as "laziness" was mentioned, I recognized something further here:
The floral corner elements are painted once and then just flipped. This leads to an incoherent lightning, which is most obvious when you look at the ornaments at the upper and at the lower side. I can perfectly understand, why this was done, though. Nevertheless, it *is* a bit lazy...
Sure, this is not a big deal and definitely nit-picking! All we can read about this beast of an expansion is so promising and exciting. Stuff like this (and the logo) will definitely *not* take away my anticipation for the add-on!
It's position may be obvious - but I don't think there are alternatives! The big "V" will make it impossible to attach the new line centered under the main logo, as the logo will fall apart.
The cross/sword/dagger "+" may be cliché, but it fits perfectly the spirit of the expansion, which is mainly religion, but more military stuff, too.
So, all of this might be a little bit obvious and maybe lazy, but I can very well live with it.
--
Something different, though...
AgreeCiv5's design is overall kinda minimalistic - both in artwork and user interface. It's far from "gamey" in my opinion. The new religion icons are also flat and only 1 colour. I wish they would drop the "application design" AKA microsoft word design and do some real artwork for a GAME.
Well, your prayers where heard. Have a closer look to the new frame style (mainly the information windows, but the main screen, too): There are floral ornaments dwelling everywhere now! Gone are the times of "nice and clear Art Deco style"
I *don't* want to complain, but for *my personal taste* this is a little bit to much. If they wanted to "pimp" the UI, they should have kept the original Art Deco style, which is full of floral elements, too, but they are more clear and graphical. The new elements seem to be quite baroque (in my regards, but I'm not an expert here.)
But as "laziness" was mentioned, I recognized something further here:
The floral corner elements are painted once and then just flipped. This leads to an incoherent lightning, which is most obvious when you look at the ornaments at the upper and at the lower side. I can perfectly understand, why this was done, though. Nevertheless, it *is* a bit lazy...
Sure, this is not a big deal and definitely nit-picking! All we can read about this beast of an expansion is so promising and exciting. Stuff like this (and the logo) will definitely *not* take away my anticipation for the add-on!
The font, size and colour all seem ok to me, but it looks odd having a "flat" Gods and Kings next to the main title which has depth (is the word embossed?).
Is it final yet?
Is it final yet?
So am I a yes man?
My point was complaining about something as insignificant as a logo is silly.
It's very subjective
Fabiano79
Prince
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2008
- Messages
- 337
Its not that subjective actually. Design or Visual Comunication or whatever is the name this kind of work have in your country is a valid discipline, with technics, theories and methods.
So, if you look to this logo from a professional point of view, its seems "lazy".
I think they made this logo in a hurry, thats why it lacks imagination. They could "play"with the big V, change the background etc.
But, I agree that the quality of the logo probably doesnt reflect the quality of the expansion, wich looks really great and it is excatly what this game was needing. Also, it shows that they have listen to us COMPLAINING here. Critics are good.
So, if you look to this logo from a professional point of view, its seems "lazy".
I think they made this logo in a hurry, thats why it lacks imagination. They could "play"with the big V, change the background etc.
But, I agree that the quality of the logo probably doesnt reflect the quality of the expansion, wich looks really great and it is excatly what this game was needing. Also, it shows that they have listen to us COMPLAINING here. Critics are good.
muhtesem insan
Amateur Revolutionary
It could made in paint with brush tool, I wouldn't care.
JohannaK
Heroically Clueless
Playing with the "V" is the only thing they can not do, I guess. The original logo is sort of a trademark - and trademarks are sacrosanct! Do *not* touch them!
Regarding the background: I have Black Metal albums, that use this sort of a minimalistic black backgrounds and it works fine with this music. I'm pretty sure though, that this is *not* the final appearance of the cover.
As long as it looks good, I don't care the way it is done. If you imply, that aesthetical considerations are not important, as long as the game is good, I have to disagree.
I believe it is incredible important to be surrounded by beauty! Life is way to short to mess around with ugly things. This is true for "real life" and - as a part of my life - for computer games, too. (I don't think, this is a shallow approach. Of course, *only* a beautiful surface is *not enough*.)
wannabewarlord
Prince
As a fellow graphic designer (not by occupation, but by additional education), I must agree with the OP, even though I do think it is nit-picky and silly to bring this up int he first place. We should be glad that there even is an expansion (which came as a total surprise to me and has me excited tremendously) and not bash it before we've even had it in our hands. In fact, I find it sad to see people whose first reaction is "well, all good but what about DIPLOMACY????" or any other gripe.
But that's besides the point here. As one guy in here said you can use up to 3 different fonts (not a set-in-stone rule, but a good guideline - I even go as far as trying to stick to two fonts and use variation in size to further add contrast), which is true, but the fonts should be contrasting enough to warrant their use. I find that the Gods & Kings line does not contrast enough in font in this example. Sure, the whole fontset is different (it's serif vs. sans-serif too), but I find it doesn't work quite well with only these two words.
Also, while the gradient and coloring is copied (which creates connection), they might have gone a step further. Why not duplicate the yellow of the big V into that small plus symbol? Or at least differentiate the symbol itself from the two words? Just an idea, the symbol itself works for me though.
Also, alignment doesn't work too well. I would have either aligned the G of Gods with a letter from the main title, or make sure the overhanging part of "Kings" somewhat served a purpose. Like this it looks like sticking out just for the fact that it's - well - sticking out.
So much for design critique. I am in no point criticizing the underlying game. I am too excited for that!
But that's besides the point here. As one guy in here said you can use up to 3 different fonts (not a set-in-stone rule, but a good guideline - I even go as far as trying to stick to two fonts and use variation in size to further add contrast), which is true, but the fonts should be contrasting enough to warrant their use. I find that the Gods & Kings line does not contrast enough in font in this example. Sure, the whole fontset is different (it's serif vs. sans-serif too), but I find it doesn't work quite well with only these two words.
Also, while the gradient and coloring is copied (which creates connection), they might have gone a step further. Why not duplicate the yellow of the big V into that small plus symbol? Or at least differentiate the symbol itself from the two words? Just an idea, the symbol itself works for me though.
Also, alignment doesn't work too well. I would have either aligned the G of Gods with a letter from the main title, or make sure the overhanging part of "Kings" somewhat served a purpose. Like this it looks like sticking out just for the fact that it's - well - sticking out.
So much for design critique. I am in no point criticizing the underlying game. I am too excited for that!
I agree, this thread is sort of pointless, as it deals with one of the most unimportant issues of the whole expansion thingy.
But then, discussing artwork is sort of fun, too, and anybody uninterested in this may just skip reading. I do accede to your point regarding DIPLOMACY (and similar) , by the way. A really... interesting reaction!
So, lets continue the discussion about negligibilities...
The Aligenment is fine for me, as it continues the line of the big "V", that is already reflected by the angle of the "A" in the main logo.
The overhangign part is very dominat, that's true. But how to avoid this? A smaler font size will not be an option, as the letters will be to small then.
But then, discussing artwork is sort of fun, too, and anybody uninterested in this may just skip reading. I do accede to your point regarding DIPLOMACY (and similar) , by the way. A really... interesting reaction!
So, lets continue the discussion about negligibilities...
The Aligenment is fine for me, as it continues the line of the big "V", that is already reflected by the angle of the "A" in the main logo.
The overhangign part is very dominat, that's true. But how to avoid this? A smaler font size will not be an option, as the letters will be to small then.
Louis XXIV
Le Roi Soleil
I wonder that.
muhtesem insan
Amateur Revolutionary
I meant i really don't care about logo of a game.
I don't like the logo that much myself either. Sure it's not that important but I would have preferred if it were a bit more balanced. Here is a quick alteration of the logo (made with paint 
).
Is that any better? Maybe it needs something more.
).
Is that any better? Maybe it needs something more.
OrsonM
Our man
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2011
- Messages
- 555
It actually kinda looks better. I would just remove the little swords, don't need em.
If Firaxis won't commit to giving the same gaudy treatment as the last logo, the designer shouldn't had bothered to try to use the same color as the original logo. If it's a different style, then damn it, it deserves it's own color.
And a few replies to a few comments that have been bugging me a wee:
"Logos don't matter": yes they do, you just won't give them proper credit.
"game aesthetics don't matter": we are not playing text games anymore and half the players here wrote pisssy comments about the rivers in Civ V.
"you can use 3 fonts on a logo": erm, yes, but it's not a rule or a law, it's more of a guideline for beginner graphic designers to not use too many fonts at the same time (to steer them away from the Church bulletin board look). In my opinion 2 fonts is the max you should use (if you must).
"This is a serif font": close, but it's a display font meant only for titles, more on that to come.
"this thread is sort of pointless": yes, but the point that a rushed logo could be a symptom of the entire game is relatively valid. Also most threads are pointless to begin with, I tried to make this one not so pointless though.
"go back to Civ 4 you!": ok no one said that, but it could only be a matter of time. I like Civ V, I play it like it has cocaine in it. One should be allowed to provide criticism of things you like, it's not like I'm asking people to go picketing or anything.
About the typeface: It's Charlemagne!, a display typeface known for it's medieval look and because it has a touch of whimsy. Pixar whimsy!:
the new Civ logo will have a little spearman leaping to the "i" as well.
So my significant other wasn't too far off when she asked if it was the Harry Potter font, you go mrs. M.
ps: love those DIY logos.
ps2: damn that's a sexy logo Sukritract
I was wondering what font they used! Wish they hadn't used Charlemagne. Looks too whimsical and cute to go along properly with the much more serious looking Civ V logo.About the typeface: It's Charlemagne!, a display typeface known for it's medieval look and because it has a touch of whimsy. Pixar whimsy!:
the new Civ logo will have a little spearman leaping to the "i" as well.
So my significant other wasn't too far off when she asked if it was the Harry Potter font, you go mrs. M.
Glad you like it! That's high praise for me, seeing as you're a professional graphic designer!
wannabewarlord
Prince
Guys, would you be so nice to upload your custom logos to our image gallery? Because I like them both .
@ logo criticism: I also don't know where the problem is.
The logo is consistent with the base Civ5 logo, which should imho be the main goal, therefore I think it's okay (that I personally don't like the logo that much is another story).
I don't have a big problem with the 2 different fonts, but I think for these few letters it's already overkill. Using the old fonts would have been sufficient. The sword is stylewise imho not that nice, but fits also.
.@ logo criticism: I also don't know where the problem is.
The logo is consistent with the base Civ5 logo, which should imho be the main goal, therefore I think it's okay (that I personally don't like the logo that much is another story).
I don't have a big problem with the 2 different fonts, but I think for these few letters it's already overkill. Using the old fonts would have been sufficient. The sword is stylewise imho not that nice, but fits also.
Louis XXIV
Le Roi Soleil
I like the sword for And. If anything, my biggest complaint is that Civilization still dominates, although, looking back, that's entirely consistent. The only one with expansions that did not focus on the word "Civilization" is Civ2. Maybe, since they used a different font, an entirely different color would not be inappropriate.
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