you've strategically hit upon the logo & icon portfolio and blog of UK logo designer Graham Smith — the original Logo Smith since '86.
During the course of researching for a logo design project, I somehow ended up at rather intriguing website called 625.co.com, housing a rather terrific collection of Television logos and idents, in particular it was the BBC logos and idents that really interested me.
This website was created way back in 1997 and last revised 2006, so stagnated in terms of updates, but it still proves to be a fascinating insight into BBC television logo history. I remember sitting at home as a young kid, in the 1970′s, watching the familiar golden glob spinning on a blue background. This collection has really sparked some marvelous memories.
Therefore, I have picked some of the images to display here, but I strongly recommend visting 625.co.com to fully take a trip down memory line. Also, there is a complete library of the logo and idents on Wikipedia. This could be your one and only stop, bypassing 625.co.com, but as I first found this site prior to information on Wiki, it’s only polite to visit the latter.
The BBC website has a hidden gem of a page called ‘Cult’ and has the original animated clips of all the idents listed below, including the very first one from 1953. http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/classic/testcards/video/index.shtml
BBC 1950′s Batwing Video Ident
Incidentally, I then found a website dedicated to television idents, called Idents.tv, certainly a more tasteful affair in website design. :)
Visual History of BBC Television Idents from 1953
BBC logo and ident 1953 – 1963
BBC logo and ident 1962
BBC logo and ident 1969-1985
BBC logo and ident 1969-1985
BBC logo and ident 1979-1986
BBC logo and ident 1985-1991
BBC logo and ident 1991-1997
BBC logo and ident 1997-2002 More info on the balloons
BBC logo and ident 2002-2006
BBC logo and ident 2010
The current BBC main logo and identity
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It’s fun to look at progressions. 1962 and now are very similar
It’s fun to look at progressions. 1962 and now are very similar
They definitely stepped up as the years went on. Oh you brits…
Have to say though, the very first one in 1953 is just stunning. Very very cool, would make a great tattoo ;0)
They definitely stepped up as the years went on. Oh you brits…
Have to say though, the very first one in 1953 is just stunning. Very very cool, would make a great tattoo ;0)
I’ll never forget the ’2′ (1969-1985) and the BBC1 golden globe (1979-1986) both firmly ingrained in my memory…very nostalgic.
Nice collection.
I’ll never forget the ’2′ (1969-1985) and the BBC1 golden globe (1979-1986) both firmly ingrained in my memory…very nostalgic.
Nice collection.
I find it interesting how they almost tried to loose the blocks around BBC – and they came right back again
I find it interesting how they almost tried to loose the blocks around BBC – and they came right back again
The last major identity BBC overhaul, with the 3 boxes was a exercise in subtlety. Amazing how 3 white boxes with letters in can look really rather tasty. But I do like most things that are black and white.