So brace yourselves: The iconic Yale University Press logo designed by Paul Rand is going off the press and spines of the company’s 8,000 published books a year. The 100+ year old publishing company (which just sort of recently actually became a part of the University officially I think) is changing its logo to establish a brand more consistant to the University. This is a sad day.
Armin over at Brand New said it best:
Most of us are wired to react negatively to anything that rids the world of yet another Rand logo. Like many, I am an admirer of this logo and I’m sad to see it go. But it’s crystal clear that the world in which Rand created identities is not the same world they exist in now and most are reaching their expiry date… IBM being the exception. So, yes, it’s lamentable to see Rand’s work slowly dissolve in this über branded era where form doesn’t follow function but the bottom line.
I love that last line: “…it’s lamentable to see Rand’s work slowly dissolve in this über branded era where form doesn’t follow function but the bottom line.”
As it goes by the wayside with the UPS logo, we can still appreciate this identity gem on our bookshelves and in our hearts.
(Found via Brand New)