Does anyone think that the old YES bubble logo is a bit tired? [Archive]

Bo Locks

06-25-2002, 11:18 AM

I loved it to bits and made my own badges. I was impressed by the HIPGNOSIS updates. I was surprised when it was resurrected for UNION. I almost expected it for KEYS. But really, there was no excuse for using it on MAG. I see it being used on the Rhino retrospective which is fair enough, but I think it's too old hat to be used on new Wakeman Yes product. Some freshness please!

Is this just an artistic whine and will the all-powerful advertising tool of branding win out? Or will the square logo emerge victorious in the warm light of the new century?

Hey, we may even get a totally NEW logo... no?

InverYes

06-25-2002, 11:23 AM

I think they'll need to use it for this year's line-up. Classic Yes needs Classic logo.

Re-branding can be a dangerous thing to do. I like it and would be happy for it to stay.

Bo Locks

06-25-2002, 11:52 AM

So, by extention, Classic Yes needs Classic stage set with Classic set list with Classic Clap and Classic Merlin solos and Classic Roundabout encore? Sorry, not a dig at you, but can't Yes be free to move on? Just a little?

As for danger, I managed to find (as I'm sure ALL Yes fans managed to find) 90125, Big Generator, Yesyears, Talk, The Ladder and House of Blues. Stunning music isn't logo dependent, take Fragile for instance, so what's to fear?

Flo

06-25-2002, 11:56 AM

I want the bubble Yes logo. I'm not tired of it. For me it is the true essence of Yes and will always remain. I worship it !

InverYes

06-25-2002, 12:05 PM

I take your point Bo Locks, but if the theme of this years tour is returning to the "Classic" line up they're kind of tied to using it.

I don't think the logo is as important as the music, but once a brand has a good one, maybe they should keep it unless and until they change the product. Yes hasn't made any really significant changes to the product ( stand back from the deluge ) - they still sound like YES always do - excellent!

I wouldn't change it just for changes sake.

Bo Locks

06-25-2002, 12:44 PM

No, not change for the helluvit, but change representing progression in the music.

I think there's a difference between 'Yes, the musical ideal' (as represented by the old logo) and 'Yes, a band in the 21st century'. I'm not suggesting that the band change 'direction', I'm suggesting that branding can show us what's inside, i.e. the music, is not recycled, formulaic and stale.

But if we've bubble worshippers in our midst then I must concede that I find that cool - in a 70s kind of way!

gt76yesman

06-25-2002, 12:51 PM

Remember Coca-Cola's attempt to change brand. Coke lost a lot of their lead to Pepsi when they tried New Coke. They they returned to Classic Coke. I am glad they did.

Long Live Yes!

Bo Locks

06-25-2002, 01:04 PM

'Cept they tried to change what was IN the bottle...!

RobAdams

06-25-2002, 03:35 PM

By 'bubble logo' I thought you meant the old cartoon speech balloon logo they used on the first couple albums. I happen to like the logo which began life on CLOSE TO THE EDGE. It's a great symbol. When you see Yes spelled out like that, there's no doubt that it means the band. The square logo, I like as well, but still prefer the "classic" logo. I actually like the idea of seeing BOTH classic and square logos used, as both were used on the UNION cover. Even stranger, the cover to the UNION TOUR LIVE dvd uses the very old cartoon balloon logo.

groovecake

06-25-2002, 03:45 PM

I think it probably helped Yes when they dropped the bubble logo during the 90125 years. New sound...new direction...new logo.

Just food for thought.

M

markcampbell

06-25-2002, 03:57 PM

Originally posted by Flo
I want the bubble Yes logo. I'm not tired of it. For me it is the true essence of Yes and will always remain. I worship it ! Yes, Flo. I am in accord with you on this one. This logo seems to typify the grandeur, sophistication and sheer magic of Yes music. I would love for it to stay.

Mark

gt76yesman

06-25-2002, 04:06 PM

The 90125 logo boosted Yesin the 80's but it is much more dated then the Dean logo.

groovecake

06-25-2002, 04:19 PM

Originally posted by gt76yesman
The 90125 logo boosted Yesin the 80's but it is much more dated then the Dean logo.

Just for the record, I totally disagree with that, but my original point wasn't to bring back the 90125 logo.

If Yes were doing something new or innovative, they should have a new logo. I don't think they really are, so the bubble will do just fine...as dated as it is.

M

Squireaholic

06-25-2002, 04:22 PM

The Dean logo is the perpetual expression of the band. Bubbles and cuniforms may come and go, but the Dean logo is forever tied to all that Yes represents: swirling, continuous creativity, interaction, positive connection. Do you get the feeling that I really really really really really like the Dean logo?

prem895

06-25-2002, 06:13 PM

it would be like the stones changing their lips logo

luray

07-13-2002, 09:59 PM

Dean Logo is Classic I like it......In fact Dean is one of my fav. artists. Did not like the Max stuff. Wish I could get my hands on a Dean book

YYY

07-13-2002, 10:11 PM

stevepenn

07-14-2002, 09:18 PM

I've been in the advertising business for 22 years and the one thing that makes my hand slap my head in an autonomic fashion with a Strangelovean relfex is when a client wants to reinvent their brand. *sigh*. At least 99% of the time it's a huge and generally costly mistake as the one post about Coca-Cola's foolish foray into this vein pointed out. This isn't Madonna. Yes doesn't have an "image" or persona to recreate and reinvent. The music does that of its own devices. Roger Dean is part of the fabric of the fantasy of Yes music. It's about motion and going places and changing colors. I've seen so many excellent iterations, authorized and not, of the Dean logo that show how truly flexible this design is. It can be changed and create different moods just using depth, dimension and color to make it fresh and exciting.

I guess this means I think the logo should stay, huh?

5_percent

07-16-2002, 01:11 PM

Originally posted by Squireaholic
The Dean logo is the perpetual expression of the band. Bubbles and cuniforms may come and go, but the Dean logo is forever tied to all that Yes represents: swirling, continuous creativity, interaction, positive connection. Do you get the feeling that I really really really really really like the Dean logo?

I agree. The "Ladder" logo did not do it for me. It reminded me of "Asia" way too much for some reason.

The way those 3 letters flow together is simply perfect in my opinion. Aside from the fact that the REAL Yes logo has been etched into my consciousness since age 13, I find it hard to envision a different one that could be as appropriate.
I also feel it embodies what Yes really had that was different from other bands. Steve Howe said (and I had always felt so too) progressive music was a logical extension of psychedelic rock. Pushing the limits, being experimental, and being smart about it.

I also agree with not changing something if it's not broken.

rhammill

07-16-2002, 05:11 PM

It really depends. I like the bubble logo, but the simple blend coloring and 3-D effects have grown a little old. The simple logo on Magnification was fine and looked cool in plexiglass on tour.

On the newer releases I like the Yes Chop logo (Ladder, House of Blues, etc.) I think it looks cool and very modern. But the music on Magnification seems to fit better with the old one.

On my boots I use the new one though (with the dragonfly).

Either one works for me I guess...

Randy

YYY

07-16-2002, 05:48 PM

Check out my "What are you listening to now?" post.
Attached is a Bubble Logo Dean did for OSIBISA prior to YES

R'tanys

07-25-2002, 04:30 AM

LOVE the Dean logo. I love every contribution Roger Dean makes toward the visual symbolism of the band and their music. Ideally, I would like to see Roger paint a portrait of the band for use on an album cover.
I think Roger Dean is so brilliant, that if I ever win the lottery, I'm going to bulldoze my house, and have Roger design and build one in which my family and I would live. With no corners, maybe that would stop my two year old from climbing everything in sight.

In case I wasn't clear, make that one for the bubble logo.

Dances w/PURPLE

08-21-2002, 08:57 PM

Is this just an artistic whine and will the all-powerful advertising tool of branding win out? >>

Oh God, let's hope not. The bubble logo is to YES as the tongue is to Rolling Stones. Roger Dean's skill of fading/shading hues is a signature to that logo and what has historically made YES LPs (remember those) and jacket work a piece of art.

gathernear

08-21-2002, 11:35 PM

The bubble logo is super. It sure beats the box logo.

Larry

S.praematurus

08-22-2002, 02:07 AM

(When you see Yes spelled out like that, there's no doubt that it means the band.)

You captured exactly my feelings. I work in a print factory and I'm planning on making a Yes bubble logo decal for on my car (my TARDIS, if you're in the Doctor Who thread). I'm going to use the bubble logo so that others will know what I mean by the decal. For those not familiar with the band, well, they'll just have to fend for themselves!!!

Thanx again, Rob!

Bo Locks

08-26-2002, 04:38 AM

Well Randy, at least you've explored the POSSIBILITY of an alternative. I don't see why there can't be change.

I s'pose I'll just have to settle for Roundabout as the encore... for ever. [Watch 'em put their mitts up!]

Expect the expected.

Jackaranda

08-26-2002, 08:56 PM

Too many people know it and it's extremely uniqie. Peter Max made a horrendous logo for Talk, which was a good album.

Keep it forever...Jack.

schreierdm

08-26-2002, 09:39 PM

Bubble Good!

Joedude

08-26-2002, 11:15 PM

Count me in with the bubble. Good timeless logo, easily identifiable.

Then again, they could use each of the four logos (not including the Talk one) on a 4-CD set, one on each CD. Distinctive for each era of Yesmusic. Maybe for the rumored live box set?

upbgirl

08-27-2002, 12:30 PM

MVC-2245.JPG good thing i LOVE it, cause it is now permanent!! no regrets!! [will the pic of my tattoo appear at a later date, or do i need to get a copy of 'post your personal crap on websites for dummies'?]

Jallan

09-04-2002, 12:11 AM

I purchased one of the Dragonfly square logo prints at YEScapade, from San Francisco Art Exchange. Then had the band sign it. Its really looks good!!

Just got it framed.

I look at it daily. And Really like it.

However, If it was the bubble logo, signed by the classic line up I would have a shrine around it.

Guess it would depend on when you discovered YES.

For me the Bubble Dean Logo says it all. Bury me with it.

Jim

S.praematurus

09-05-2002, 07:13 PM

"Bury me with it."
Maybe when I die I'll have them bury me in my Topographic T I bought on this tour!!!

Thanx for the idea, if you don't mind me stealing it ;)

Cameron Striewski

09-12-2002, 02:24 AM

Well, it seems that this discussion has turned into a vote for or against the "classic" Dean logo. I think that the Bubble Logo is the definitive Yes logo, and a worthy representation of what the band symbolizes musically. It probably has something to do with the fact that Roger Dean is so much a part of the Yes mythology, and the warm fuzzy feeling associated with the good ol' days of Yes' Fragile, CTTE, Tales and Relayer.
I love the old stuff, but I'm just as excited about the new stuff, and especially the stuff to come. I like to think of the band as a force in the 21st century. bring on the future. Does the logo feel too tired? I don't think so. It certainly doesn't have to be. I like the textures that make the surfaces of the logo different from album to album. I like the brand image thing, especially in this circumstance, because I think Yes is under appreciated, and if logo identification helps them, then more "logo" please.
On the otherhand, it is cool to change things up. I like it classic, with a contemporary twist (kind of like the music during this years 2002 tour, thanks for the upgrade Rick!) It was cool to see the plexi-glass "glowing edges" logo on set, which from my straight on view, was quite brilliant, as it exploded with reflections and kicks from the practical lighting on stage.
I would play around, first by creating an accurate 3D model of the bubble logo. full curves and puff. Then render it in a variety of perspectives, put it in some cool Roger Dean settings, and give it a materials upgrade. In my mind of minds, there are dozens of undiscovered and future "classic" Yes logos. Just as music surprises, but is familiar and pure, so too can the Yes logo change... or remain the same, as long as it is pure. Yes, bring it on!
Just for fun, I banged out a concept logo.
Cam

Cameron Striewski

09-12-2002, 02:27 AM

Ooops! How did that end up here, I was on the Roger Dean Logo discussion thread!?!?
Cam

Sorry, I'm new at this.

umgekehrt

08-06-2004, 12:39 AM

I love Bubbles. It's Michael Jackson's chimp

Sticks

08-06-2004, 01:03 AM

No it doesn't look tired to me.

It's a icon like the Beatles drum skin which was depicted like this:

BEATLES

umgekehrt

08-06-2004, 01:12 AM

No no no, man. Not like that.

Like this:

http://pascal.mathelon.free.fr/photos/beatles.jpg

Sticks

08-06-2004, 02:00 AM

Right On!

Did you airbrush Pete Best out of this photo?

Ryan

08-12-2004, 01:22 PM

i love the bubble logo. Keep it i say.

tardistraveler

08-12-2004, 02:00 PM

These old threads keep getting resurrected.

I love the Dean logo. It says "Yes" just as the "Coca-Cola" icon says "Coke" - you know it just by it's shape.

I find the other icons interesting, but, the Dean logo is the one for me that truly represents the band.

Stever

08-12-2004, 02:11 PM

I don't really care all that much. If they DO put out another album. If we're lucky enough and blessed enough for that to happen, then frankly, I don't care if they do it in block letters with a crayon on a blank white cover. I never thought it about it that much. The music is what matters to me. Looking back though, I do remember feeling a bit blue deep down when they abandoned their logo beginning with 90125. I figured it was just part of the whole 80's scene that was going on and blew it off, but then it didn't show up on BG, it wasn't allowed in any form on ABWH, and it didn't show up on Talk or The Ladder. I was happy when it did finally return once on Keys, then again on Magnification. Not "happy", so much as just a little internal warmth of coming back home. I guess I had missed it. Just not on a strong conscious level. Hadn't really put it all together until now.

Jackaranda

08-12-2004, 02:20 PM

I like the classic logo just fine. It certainly is the best of the bunch, and there have been a few.

The worst was the Talk logo by Peter Max. Just like GFTO, a great album but a really bad cover.

I like Sissy Wood's avatar. I don't know where she got it from (she may have done it herself, being an artist), but when I saw it I thought if they ever changed logo's again they should use that.

sissywoods

08-12-2004, 09:00 PM

Thanks Jack. I made that myself. I prefer the bubble logo myself. When I did my avatar just wanted to do something different. There's an artist that has made a few fonts Yes style here www.varian.net/dreamview/ if you want to check them out.

JJGeers

08-13-2004, 08:16 AM

Basically I believe that this is such a thing as "Never change a winning team"

For over more then 3 decades we've all learned that a particular line Up with particular members and a particular artist along with a particular logo would do best according to most Yesfans.

So, why the request to change? I don't understand. Just for the change???
Car brands who stand for over more then a century would never tried to come up with a complete new design. Only restyle the current thing. It works the same way in rock music. And that is the best thing Yes and Roger Dean can do.
I believe that only the original designer of the so-called bubble logo understands it's design best, and in my opinion he's the only one who could try to 'update' it's design.
I don't believe in this logo in 3D versions. I've seen horrible things done to it, and with every piece of respect, I don't like the way it appeared on Magnification. Remember, the logo has not been designed to be used in 3D.
Of course, if you take a look around the numerous yesfan websites around, you'll find out soon enough that the bubble logo is the one most toyed with, together with the square one. And that is exactly the thing I can smile about! I'll never gonna judge that, as it is only the way people like to show their affection and love for these designs. Lets keep it that way.
But when it comes down to the official releases, designers could be more careful in the use of it. Of course it is a flexible, changable design, and I feel that there are still a lot of things that could be done with it! It just has to be done in a careful and proper way...

So, to you Roger and the rest of Yes loving land, move on my friend, will this show ever end?...

Love,

Jasper Joppe Geers

tardistraveler

08-13-2004, 09:20 AM

Excellent thoughts, J.J.! Was going to give you some rep for that one, but I have to "spread it around" first! LOL

I like your analogy about cars - the styles of the actual car may change, but the logos remain constant.

Dr Yes

08-13-2004, 10:56 AM

Love the classic logo - and it's got that retro vibe thing going to trade on - but wish they'd make it a bit more up to date by ditching the swirly patterns. Quite liked the drama version and the magnification version for that. Clssic but current.

prem895

08-13-2004, 11:49 AM

=A=_YeSfan@tic

08-13-2004, 03:25 PM

yes changed the logo for the 2002 and 2003 shows remember, however it did not make it on an official release... to bad i liked it

it is like the classic but with a twist

see what happeneds

YesBassist

08-22-2004, 05:58 PM

I believe that the yes logo is just find i dont think roger dean could of done a better job. changing the logo would be like asking Pink Floyd can you change the Darkside of the moon cover. where just so use to seeing it and enjoying it. Now peter max is an awsome aritst but his talk cover just plained sucked. I believed if you gave a preschooler to write yes on a piece of paper could of came up with something better.

WOLFman

08-23-2004, 10:35 AM

Well Storm Thorgerson has changed the Dark Side Of The Moon cover - twice - for the 20th and 30th anniversary releases. And for me, that represents the sort of fluidity that is needed with things like logos and cover art. Continuity is needed up to a point, yes, to ensure brand recognition and the permeation of a sense of the product itself being put in context. But not to the detrement of creative development.

If Yes were to produce a new album, it is inevitable that, considering the extended period of time since Magnification, and the reintroduction of Rick Wakeman, the temptation would be there to resurrect the bubble logo once again, and so ensure the aforementioned. However, in comparing the Yes monnikers with those of other bands, I think that people might not be recognising the almost unique prominance awarded to the logo in virtually every product since Talk (which I must say I consider unfairly maligned, along with the wonderful cover of Magnification).

Anyway, for what it's worth, I think the bubble logo got more than enough exposure on Keys (understandable given the line-up) and OYE (inexcusable). If it is to re-appear, it should play a small signatory role behind a Roger Dean landscape.