Yeah..I said it. A team of designers from Pentagram, including Michael Beirut, has taken over the redesign and branding for Guitar Hero and it's successors, Rock Band and DJ Hero.
I have been stressing the "coolness" of this games interface since it's original release in late 2005. It's loud, it's over-the-top, and hardcore rock with just the right amount of grunge sprinkled in.
To find out the Pentagram has taken over the Guitar Hero identity has blown my mind to say the least. Isn't the grungy-rock look exactly the opposite of any design work that Pentagram has became so famous for? I'm sure there are a few grungy things that have squeaked out of the firm over the years, but as far as I know, their strong suit is conservative (or what I call "Kent Statey" design.
What is even more surprising than Pentagram doing the job is the first place, is what they have done with it. Revamped the logo, created a font ("Hero") to keep the growing branding of spin-off games consistent, all while somehow interfacing the logo to have endless visual possibilities.
Kudos Pentagram.
http://pentagram.com/en/new/2009/09/new-work-guitar-hero-1.php
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ReplyDeleteI will agree that the INTERFACE of Guitar Hero has always been cool (meaning the guitar-controller) but the IDENTITY, i.m.h.o., has always been weak sauce. It looked like they had a focus group of late-thirties soccer moms try to make a logotype that was "loud, over the top, and hardcore rock". What they got was more...reasonably volumed, below the top, radio rock. While I am certain the intended target market (meaning younger kids) puts a damper on the extremity of the design, I thought the old mark was, totally cheesy looking. Making a G sharp, doesn't make it cool (that's a little music joke for ya...lame I know)
ReplyDeleteAnd Pentagram, what are you doing? The Saks 5th Ave thang was lookin' pretty sick. Ballsy, and kinda more like, a persona than an identity; really interesting. And again, obviously the target markets are different. But the 'Hero' type face=fart. A subtle maturation of a the same goofy idea from before. It's like putting a tie and dress shoes on a clown. I guess I might be more into it if it weren't for all the spikes... and the exaggerated left-hand serifs, with the ornamental points make the word "HERO" (and the example sentence for that matter) look like it's zooming away. Sure, it's systematic...but are you sure that's a system you want to create?
Let's not even mention the stone-cut block letters, covered in fire, with light shooting out from behind them. Or that lightning? ...what?
Seriously, what is that supposed to say? I think they're speaking a language of idiotic cliche' and they're not necessarily realizing it.
Or they realize and they just don't care cause it's for Activision and they gettin' paaaaaaid with a capital p. Or I just am over estimating the target audience...but pentagram or not, I just think it's goofy, again.
I hope Michael Beirut reads this and then laughs his 'A' off at me while he lights a cigar with a $1,000 bill.
(sigh)
Is there way to edit these comments, when I posted the first time I messed up and then had to repost the whole thing...if I am missing how to edit, can someone tell me?
ReplyDeleteAlthough I am a little surprised Pentagram actually took this project from Activision, I can at least give them credit for experimenting and trying to break away from their norm.
ReplyDeleteThat said I do have to agree with Mr. Strawberry that the lightning and space gas concepts seem very cliche even for a concept. Not to mention they just look horrible and the last concept for DJ Hero just makes my eyes hurt.
I was never a fan of the original guitar hero type. I'm not sure if they used a bunch of soccer moms for their focus group like Strawberry said, or 50 year old male rock fans who are nostalgic, or 8 year olds that have attention spans no longer than 10 seconds. I'm personally leaning towards the last two.
Given the parameters I'm sure Pentagram was given, I definitely think they at least improved the brand look while still maintaining the look and feel of the original type while setting up a nice system for the soon-to-be 50 spin-offs or cash cows Activision is sure to order up.
Good arguments guys... I agree with about every point you guys made!
ReplyDeleteBy the way...Michael Beirut is probably going to start wiping his 'A' with all the cash he's going to make from designing for all the spin-offs. I mean 'Band Hero'?...come on. What could that possibly be that rock band already isn't.