Rockbox Technical Forums

Rockbox General => Rockbox General Discussion => Topic started by: senab on August 30, 2006, 11:16:50 AM

Title: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: senab on August 30, 2006, 11:16:50 AM
Hey all,

I've been thinking over the last couple of days of the rockbox logo, and how it's....slightly.... boring. I know I'll probably get shot down by Llorean for saying this, but it's my opinion. Just wondering what everyone else thinks...
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Llorean on August 30, 2006, 11:39:29 AM
People have brought this up before, but nobody has yet managed to create a logo idea that ends up being deemed 'better.'
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: senab on August 30, 2006, 11:57:00 AM
So could people design a logo, then seen what the dev's think?
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Llorean on August 30, 2006, 11:58:42 AM
People have done it in the past. I warn you, most of the devs are fairly content with the current one. People often try to make rather large changes that don't really preserve the feel of the original, and that tends to not go over great.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: senab on August 30, 2006, 12:07:24 PM
OK, noted. I'll see what I come up with...
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: psycho_maniac on August 30, 2006, 01:45:16 PM
i saw a boot up logo on the patches page. i cannot find it now. drivers me crazy that i cant find it. mabey somebody else can. (it was only for certin players though) h3xx and ipods 5g(i think) it had rockbox on the top and a chick raising her hand up in the air and holding the player in that hand
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: NicolasP on August 30, 2006, 01:59:38 PM
@psycho_maniac : I think you're looking for this (http://pijulius.blogspot.com/2006/06/rockbox-bootloader-with-fullscreenlogo.html)...
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Febs on August 30, 2006, 02:08:10 PM
Logos can be "boring" and still be effective for the purpose of being a logo.  

In fact, simple is often better for logos.

Look at some examples.  The iPod "logo" is simple the word "iPod" in a specific font:

(http://images.apple.com/itunes/home/images/2006/04/1000songs20060425.jpg)

Likewise, the Microsoft logo is extremely plain:

(http://i.microsoft.com/h/all/i/ms_masthead_8x6a_ltr.jpg)

Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: senab on August 30, 2006, 03:36:11 PM
@Feb's: I'm not saying they can't be. It's just to me, the rockbox logo looks like a bit of a mish mash.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Yotto on August 30, 2006, 04:27:18 PM
the rockbox logo looks like a bit of a mish mash.

Which, to me, captures the spirit of Rockbox insanely well :D
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: psycho_maniac on August 30, 2006, 04:36:54 PM
@NicolasP thanks i knew i saw it somewhere as soon as i saw jblog i knew it was the right link.
also the google image is kinda plane. with some coloring
(http://www.google.com/intl/en/images/logo.gif)
but the firefox logo is kinda cool (taken from firefox's google page)
(http://www.google.com/images/firefox/fox1.gif)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Llorean on August 30, 2006, 07:23:57 PM
The Rockbox logo to me looks very much like it's under construction. It feels unpolished, but looks fairly solid. Which to me fits well with my personal mental image of Rockbox.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Atheistic Freedom on August 31, 2006, 01:21:57 AM
Yeah, it's like some modern industrial sign  :D

Who was the creator of it anyway?
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: LinusN on August 31, 2006, 02:10:46 AM
It's made by a swedish guy called Thomas Saeys. For the record, I like the current logo a lot.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: JdGordon on August 31, 2006, 02:37:21 AM
speaking of logo changes, what ever happened to the guy threatening to redesign the whole website?
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: psycho_maniac on August 31, 2006, 03:36:57 AM
you know i was thinking of that too when the whole fourms got rearranged. wonder what happened to him
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Yotto on August 31, 2006, 03:51:33 AM
I seem to remember the last thing was that he posted 3 or so logos and we all said (surprise surprise) that we liked the current logo better, and then he vanished.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Bagder on August 31, 2006, 03:58:07 AM
Yes, since redesigning the whole site obviously had a lot of (only?) focus on changing the logo.

I like our logo.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Febs on August 31, 2006, 08:27:56 AM
It's made by a swedish guy called Thomas Saeys. For the record, I like the current logo a lot.

I do too.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: MU4L on August 31, 2006, 02:34:13 PM
For the record, I like the current logo a lot.


Well, FWIW, it gets my vote too.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Peter200lx on August 31, 2006, 03:58:03 PM
Current logo gets my vote as well.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Davide-NYC on August 31, 2006, 08:40:07 PM
I like the logo as well.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: fatherfork on August 31, 2006, 09:49:12 PM
I know I'll probably get shot down by Llorean for saying this, but it's my opinion.

senab- "mayday mayday...been hit....goi....own.."

eh, I can't say I love it, but the current logo really fits.

FF
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: damaru on September 18, 2006, 11:22:57 PM
id love to see some animation on the boot screen, just to add up to the sleak of the whole, or at least an easy way to change it . :D
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: JdGordon on September 19, 2006, 01:38:01 AM
damaru: why? animaing the loading screen would just slow the whole loading process down, it would also make the file size larger.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: damaru on September 19, 2006, 10:20:29 AM
Just a fantasy of mine, would love to see a little circular graph loading the system with a light animation, wouldn't mind the extra file size nor the slow loading ;) but these are just non-programmer fantasy :)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: moogleman on September 26, 2006, 06:42:10 PM
I don't like the logo, but I don't really hate it either. It has the potential to be simplified into something really attractive. It just feels kind of busy.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Neogx on September 29, 2006, 06:12:03 AM
Why dont u have a contest where people all try making a new logo for rockbox i seen it done with other ppl that have projects and since u all have alot of fans has to be some out there with some art talents
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Febs on September 29, 2006, 07:42:55 AM
Neogx, please review our posting guidelines.  We do not permit abbreviations such as "ppl" and "u" in these forums.

To answer your question, if you read the rest of the thread, I think that you will find that most of the core developers like the current logo.  So there is no need for a contest to design a new one.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Llorean on September 29, 2006, 08:05:43 AM
Well, a contest couldn't *hurt* anything, but users would have to realize that there would be no guarantee that any logo but the original would win it. ;)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Yotto on September 29, 2006, 03:17:12 PM
In fact, I'd say we *can* guarantee that no logo but the original would win it. :D
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Llorean on September 30, 2006, 12:57:34 AM
Well, I don't believe it's phsyically impossible for there to be a better logo out there. I just think it's statistically unlikely that a logo our beloved devs would find better will arrive. That doesn't mean we shouldn't let people try on the off chance they hit that magical place, so long as our willing contestants realize that we will openly ridicule and disparage any works we feel we want to. ;)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Neogx on September 30, 2006, 02:51:08 AM
=D how about a pink and rainbows all over type of theme logo!! >=D Mmmm lol
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: wafflesomd on October 02, 2006, 04:53:05 PM
I asked a guy to make some logo's.

Whadda ya think.

All credit goes to Jobister on pcapex.com

(http://forums.pcapex.com/attachments/graphics_media/39816d1159737192-jobistobers_sig_shop-rockbox.jpg)

(http://forums.pcapex.com/attachments/graphics_media/39845d1159812500-jobistobers_sig_shop-rockbox3.jpg)

(http://forums.pcapex.com/attachments/graphics_media/39846d1159812500-jobistobers_sig_shop-rockbox2.jpg)

Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: soap on October 02, 2006, 05:28:40 PM
uhh, the O in image #2 might be a little close to an A.
The first think I thought when I first saw it was...
(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m300/dmhall_01/RockBox3.jpg)

 ;D
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: bluebrother on October 02, 2006, 05:34:39 PM
I still like the old logo way better ... ;)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Llorean on October 02, 2006, 05:42:01 PM
This seems to be the pattern:

Devs: "We're happy with the old logo. We like the style and feeling and etc, etc."
Someone: "Well what about this new completely different logo that has no stylistic elements in common with the original at all."
Devs:" We're happy with the old logo."

:)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: psycho_maniac on October 02, 2006, 05:44:19 PM
i like the RB part on the top right corner.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Davide-NYC on October 02, 2006, 07:14:50 PM
My vote is OLD LOGO. Leave it alone.  :P
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Nico_DE on October 02, 2006, 07:37:57 PM

(http://www.rentmybrain.net/RockboxLogo.gif)

http://www.rentmybrain.net/RockboxLogo.pdf



[attachment deleted by admin, too old]
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Febs on October 02, 2006, 07:53:45 PM
How about this one?

(http://forums.rockbox.org/Themes/Rockbox_Llorean/images/rockbox350for.gif)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: RaeNye on October 02, 2006, 08:00:09 PM
Note also that the suggested logos might look slick at 500x250, but a lot worse at 160x128 or in grayscale.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Genre9mp3 on October 02, 2006, 08:28:19 PM
My vote goes to.... Febs!  ;D
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: wafflesomd on October 02, 2006, 08:54:42 PM
I know its not going to change, but I might as well sumbit Jobi's work.

(http://forums.pcapex.com/attachments/graphics_media/39850d1159835129-jobistobers_sig_shop-rockbox4.jpg)


And Nico, that is an awsome logo.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: JdGordon on October 02, 2006, 08:58:58 PM
Rock is a trademark?
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Llorean on October 02, 2006, 09:07:43 PM
I'm not even sure Rockbox is one, in this context.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Febs on October 02, 2006, 09:18:50 PM
Why wouldn't it be?
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Llorean on October 02, 2006, 09:20:16 PM
I thought that unlike Copyright, a trademark had to both be registered and actively protected to maintain its status, right?

I'll admit my knowledge of such things is very fringe, so I could be far off. :)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Yotto on October 02, 2006, 10:05:49 PM
I like the idea of the "RB" in the corner, but don't like that "RB", makes me think 1980's science fiction.  I wonder what the original "Rb" would look like in that area.  It would be a good way to have a really small logo (recognizable as low as, what is it, 32x32, for a favicon.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: LinusN on October 03, 2006, 02:47:27 AM
The whole point of a logo is the element of recognition. When you see the logo, there should be no doubt what it represents. Just like the Coke logo, or McDonald's for that matter.

I'd say that the Rockbox logo is excellent in this respect. What is the point of changing it?
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Sando on October 03, 2006, 01:51:07 PM
I'm personally a fan of the logo jeanreno created for the H3x0 experimental builds.

(http://content.imagesocket.com/images/rockbox_icon98e.gif)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: MrMEC on November 03, 2006, 01:16:24 PM

(http://www.rentmybrain.net/RockboxLogo.gif)

http://www.rentmybrain.net/RockboxLogo.pdf



I know I'm disagreeing with pretty much everyone here, but personally I think this logo is far better than the current one.  Much more sleek, modern and cool.  The current logo just feels kind of amateurish, not polished.  To put it another way - Rockbox with the black logo feels like something I'd have to buy, whereas I'd expect to get Rockbox with the current logo for free.  

Oh...wait a minute.   ;)

Anyway, we're using this logo over on iaudiophile.net for the startup screen on the X5 patched builds we're using, and personally I love it.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: LinusN on November 03, 2006, 02:19:30 PM
Much more sleek, modern and cool.  The current logo just feels kind of amateurish, not polished. To put it another way - Rockbox with the black logo feels like something I'd have to buy, whereas I'd expect to get Rockbox with the current logo for free.  
Funny, I have the exact opposite feeling... :-)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Larsie on November 03, 2006, 02:29:53 PM
Maybe we could just change the current logo a little bit.

I personally don't like the musical & sign (how do you call it actually?)

Then you'd get something like the attachment

It's a bit empty above the 'box' part, maybe we could put the names of the working targets in there?

But I think I'd be better if we keep it the way it is 'If it ain't broken, don't fix it!' ;)

[attachment deleted by admin, too old]
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Febs on November 03, 2006, 02:36:24 PM
The 'musical & sign' is a clef.  Specifically, it is a G-clef, sometimes also referred to as a treble clef.  I personally like that aspect of the logo very much.

More fundamentally, however, I have yet to see anyone articulate any good reason why the existing logo should be replaced.  (I don't consider 'I like this other logo better' to be a good reason. )
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Llorean on November 03, 2006, 03:06:23 PM
I think actually having something relating to music in the logo is somewhat vital.

In my opinion, a logo should at least give some mental hint at what it's a logo for. That one with the flaming eye, I dunno. A trunk for storing your collection of stones while wandering Mordor?
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: MrMEC on November 03, 2006, 03:07:40 PM
More fundamentally, however, I have yet to see anyone articulate any good reason why the existing logo should be replaced.  (I don't consider 'I like this other logo better' to be a good reason. )

What is a good reason, then?  I explained exactly why I didn't like it (the part Linus quoted), so what do you want?  

Whether a logo is good or not is pretty much entirely subjective.  You like the current logo, I personally don't.  So there we are.  If the people who have the power to change it don't want to change it, what can you do?  Case closed.

The whole purpose of this thread is to illustrate that there are people who personally don't like the logo - that much is clear.  Why should specific rationale be articulated to you?  If someone comes up with a cool logo everyone likes and can agree on, just change it.  Or don't, since it's clear that most of you don't want to.  That's fine too.

Really, it's just a logo.  I've already replaced it on my own player, and to me that's all that really matters.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: haibane on November 03, 2006, 03:56:13 PM
It would be nice to see a new logo. The current one just seems to bogged down with not enough color used and could look a lot better. I personally will probably just use my own though
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: bluebrother on November 03, 2006, 04:54:18 PM
Whether a logo is good or not is pretty much entirely subjective.  You like the current logo, I personally don't.  So there we are.  If the people who have the power to change it don't want to change it, what can you do?  Case closed.
Indeed. I never understood why some people find the logo that important. I like the current one and don't see any reason to change it. Rockbox is about playing music ;)

Honestly (to all those guys arguing about changing the logo), do you like the logo of MS Windows / Office / whatever? Are you trying to change that logo? I guess not ...
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: lowlight on November 03, 2006, 05:08:31 PM
Rockbox shows a logo? Wow! I guess I never noticed since by the time I press the on button and get my headphones on it's already at the browser. Maybe we could slow down the boot process to display the logo longer, that way nobody will miss it. ;D
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: iPodFoo on November 03, 2006, 05:28:56 PM
What about if the rockbox design was used for Windows? I would be turned off by it to be honest.

I think something simple and more contempory would be a good thing.

For example, the Windows logo is the coloured window pane thing, apple is, well, obviously a stylised apple, linux has the penguin character and so on. Theyre all identifiyable without words and very simple. Obviously a bit of marketing gets it "out there". But I think a good project like rockbox deserves a good logo to siginify its "coolness"  But then thats just me coming from a design background ;D

lowlight:
Quote
Maybe we could slow down the boot process to display the logo longer, that way nobody will miss it.
The logo wouldnt have to be only at bootup, could use it for the menu. I put a logo for the background of the menus in all my wps themes.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Llorean on November 03, 2006, 05:33:15 PM
Well, so far nobody has presented a suggested symbolic logo, tending to opt for the textual ones. The closest still contain text elements.

If it were to go in that direction (a symbol representing the project) it could even very well coexist with the existing logo. More of a mascot image. BSD Daemon, Linux's Tux, etc. Any cute little critters seem appropriate? ;)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: rasher on November 03, 2006, 06:24:28 PM
Well, so far nobody has presented a suggested symbolic logo, tending to opt for the textual ones. The closest still contain text elements.

If it were to go in that direction (a symbol representing the project) it could even very well coexist with the existing logo. More of a mascot image. BSD Daemon, Linux's Tux, etc. Any cute little critters seem appropriate? ;)
I'll again express my favour of the "Rockbox H300 experimental" (http://www.misticriver.net/showthread.php?t=35654) logo. Not the entire logo - but the small "R" that looks like it's part of a cube. It's in my opinion pretty good, but I don't understand why it's upside down.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: mightybrick on November 03, 2006, 06:31:11 PM
Well, so far nobody has presented a suggested symbolic logo, tending to opt for the textual ones. The closest still contain text elements.

If it were to go in that direction (a symbol representing the project) it could even very well coexist with the existing logo. More of a mascot image. BSD Daemon, Linux's Tux, etc. Any cute little critters seem appropriate? ;)
I'll again express my favour of the "Rockbox H300 experimental" (http://www.misticriver.net/showthread.php?t=35654) logo. Not the entire logo - but the small "R" that looks like it's part of a cube. It's in my opinion pretty good, but I don't understand why it's upside down.
Could it be that the upside down R is actually a box with a musical quarter note?  That's what it looks like to me.  I actually think it's pretty sharp-looking.  Very clever, concise, and well representative of Rockbox.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: haibane on November 03, 2006, 06:34:00 PM
Well, so far nobody has presented a suggested symbolic logo, tending to opt for the textual ones. The closest still contain text elements.

If it were to go in that direction (a symbol representing the project) it could even very well coexist with the existing logo. More of a mascot image. BSD Daemon, Linux's Tux, etc. Any cute little critters seem appropriate? ;)

Great idea. Its not that I have anything against the current logo, it just doesn't look right on my ipod screen. Not to say the ipod logo should be there. We could always do a guy holding a boom box over one shoulder.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: LinusN on November 04, 2006, 04:46:21 AM
Really, it's just a logo.
Now, perhaps that's where our opinions clash. To me, and the other project leaders, the logo *is* important. Like I said in an earlier post:

Quote
The whole point of a logo is the element of recognition. When you see the logo, there should be no doubt what it represents. Just like the Coke logo, or McDonald's for that matter.

I'd say that the Rockbox logo is excellent in this respect. What is the point of changing it?

If McDonalds would change their yellow M to something else, they would lose a LOT. It's not that the yellow M is beautiful, but everyone recognizes it.

That is the point of a logo.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Febs on November 04, 2006, 08:17:06 AM
More fundamentally, however, I have yet to see anyone articulate any good reason why the existing logo should be replaced.  (I don't consider 'I like this other logo better' to be a good reason. )
The whole purpose of this thread is to illustrate that there are people who personally don't like the logo - that much is clear.  Why should specific rationale be articulated to you?

I think that you should be approaching it from the opposite perspective.  If you can't articulate a good reason to change it, then why should we consider doing so?

Quote
If someone comes up with a cool logo everyone likes and can agree on, just change it.  

Linus nailed it exactly.  A logo does not need to be "cool."  It needs to be recognizable and something that is associate in the mind of the public with the product.   The current logo serves that function.  Unless we're marketing Rockbox to the men of Gondor or the elves of Lothlorien, I don't see how the logo that you support has anything whatsoever to do with Rockbox, so while it may look "cool," it does not serve the function that a logo needs to serve.

If we were ever to decide that we need a symbolic logo, then I agree with Rasher that the graphic on the left side of this logo should get serious consideration:

(http://rbh300.chendo.net/h300expFULL.png)

In my mind, it has 4 things going for it:

-it is a box
-the quarter note (crotchet for those of you who are British) implies music
-the quarter note also forms a stylized "R"
-it is unique and could come to be identified with Rockbox.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: hotwire on November 04, 2006, 09:00:38 AM
While I am for the most part content with the logo, I think that rather than a replacement, a "streamlining" of the existing logo might be a good idea.  (think a la slashdot renovations a few months back).  I do acknowledge to that end the feelings posted above that rockbox is not a polished finished product, and hence the present logo well represents that (it does), but as well a lot of logos out there have taken on a very minimalist approach.

Just the same, the status quo is fine with me.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Yotto on November 04, 2006, 09:04:19 AM
The "notebox" logo has two other things going for it.  First, it is square (Apple, McDonalds, Windows logos all fit nicely on a square.  it's aesthetically pleasing) and it does not have the the Rockbox name in it (again, the 3 examples that have been used in this thread all share that as well).  Yes, I know the Windows logo says "Microsoft Windows" under it in many cases, but it's not needed.  You see the logo, you think Windows.  You see the arches (They don't even call it "the M"), you think McDonalds.  That's branding.

Now, if we could integrate the box into the current logo...
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: JdGordon on November 04, 2006, 09:10:44 AM
i personally think your all on drugs or something if you see a R in that square.. all i see is a C.. maybe with a bit of prompting an R could be made out... but the C is definatly easier to see...

/me votes keep the logo... again
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: LurkAzusa on November 04, 2006, 10:15:45 AM
Use an eighth note and you'll have your R
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Benway on November 04, 2006, 10:41:18 AM
For the record, I personnaly find the current logo amateurish and unattractive.
In comparison, the Logo proposed by Febs is lightyears ahead.
Just my 2c.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Yotto on November 04, 2006, 11:02:39 AM
i personally think your all on drugs or something if you see a R in that square.. all i see is a C.. maybe with a bit of prompting an R could be made out... but the C is definatly easier to see...
If you rotate it as in the left, or even better as in the right, it's extremely obvious.
(http://planetretcon.com/img/r.png)
In fact, I kind of like the "R" on the right.  Someone with more talent than I could possibly make similar letters for the OCK.  Or maybe use the darker part for the O, and do another cube for the CK or something.  Dunno.
Quote
/you votes keep the logo... again
In the end, I agree, though this logo is the closest I've come to reconsidering.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: aegis on November 04, 2006, 06:03:00 PM
O.K., I've spoken once but the logo is important, I guess.

First of all, I do like current logo, however I remember my first reaction ("OMG, so old school"). Now when I got used to I say "hurray, so old school. It does differentiate!" and I think it's a quite important thing for a logo.

The design itself is quite professional, I think - nice balance (size, placement) of particular letters, great funky violin/treble clef (though a heavyrocking bass clef would be something I would expect more  8-) ). What really makes a difference are old school, warm "dirty pastel" colours - you don't see it too often nowadays and with fitting letters they make the effect. It's hard to take this logo dead seriously but I do prefer it over coldish, pseudoprofessional ones.

Re: proposals - I think Llorean hit the point precisely - too much of revolution has been proposed while none of old users wants to change the logo badly. It's not bad, everybody got used to, so a rapid change of identity is a no-go.

If you want to fix something (like a proposed guy with a boom box) please think about evolution, not revolution. Take a look at the Rockbox girl by Julius from iPod experimental builds. http://solutions-i.org/julius/rockbox/rockboxlogo.320x98x16.bmp

It's _different_ but when I saw it I had no doubts it's my tuned Rockbox (not only because of the old logo here and there... :D ). She simply has a quite similar (but somehow braver) "personality" of the current logo, similar pastel colours (although brighter) and hand-written image. Take a look on the blue colour which has been added and fits somehow.

That's in my opinion how the changes should be made, if someone really needs to. Try the evolution: experiment first with one or a few elements: change the colours, add or tweak something etc. Black shape of a percussionist with the current logo in the background? Or the whole band? Rockier letters? Another colour scheme, fitting better one's WPS? That would be probably far easier to get accepted.

The logo has its spirit already and I wouldn't like to lose it.

Nobody said the current version is perfect. Some experiments, like these with "block" letters and images (page 3) and "industrial" design are pretty interesting for me. It's only my thought what would be more acceptable - probably not only for myself. :]

Hail to all rockboxers and artists!  8-)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Bagder on November 05, 2006, 06:53:38 AM
Quote
think about evolution, not revolution

Very well spoken.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: soap on November 05, 2006, 07:20:42 AM
If you want to fix something (like a proposed guy with a boom box) please think about evolution, not revolution. Take a look at the Rockbox girl by Julius from iPod experimental builds.(http:// http://solutions-i.org/julius/rockbox/rockboxlogo.320x98x16.bmp
)

I know it is not what you were proposing, but I just need to let this off my chest.
The last thing the world needs is another slender female used in advertisements/promotions/logos.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: salival on November 05, 2006, 07:52:58 AM
Just for no good reason:
(http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/7433/rockboxlogoua1.jpg)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: MrMEC on November 05, 2006, 10:29:50 AM
(http://www.mysciencebox.org/files/images/box_geology_0.gif)

Get it?   :D
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: wafflesomd on November 05, 2006, 10:34:52 AM
HAHAHA

best one yet.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Yotto on November 05, 2006, 11:15:41 AM
I can't believe I'm getting pulled into this, but I like that box.

How's this for evolution? (Note, despite the title, I'm no artist :D  Comment on the idea, not the execution)

(http://planetretcon.com/img/rockbox1.png)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: mightybrick on November 05, 2006, 11:22:51 AM
Not bad.  I like the direction you're going with this.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: bluebrother on November 05, 2006, 11:45:56 AM
How's this for evolution? (Note, despite the title, I'm no artist :D  Comment on the idea, not the execution)
I don't like it. It simly add something that doesn't belong there IMO. Also, the letters are off the baseline for the "box" which looks somewhat broken to me.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Yotto on November 05, 2006, 11:58:30 AM
How's this for evolution? (Note, despite the title, I'm no artist :D  Comment on the idea, not the execution)
I don't like it. It simly add something that doesn't belong there IMO. Also, the letters are off the baseline for the "box" which looks somewhat broken to me.

I agree on point 2 (Not on point 1, though, else I wouldn't have put it there :)) and try #2 is up there now.  I didn't put it back on the baseline because affixing the cube to the X looks right to me.  So, as an alternative I made the box's "bo" obviously on the center line of the ROCK's "OC"

(Note, you may need to shift-refresh as the image name didn't change)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: PaulJam on November 05, 2006, 12:05:11 PM
Hi,

what do you think about a symbolic logo like this:
(http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/8985/cleffysmalluk3.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
I'm sure people would love it.
And it could also be used inside the firmware for example to show splash screens (by showing the text in a yellow speech bubble) ...or random popups just to annoy the user ;).
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Genre9mp3 on November 05, 2006, 01:52:30 PM
Hi,

what do you think about a symbolic logo like this:
(http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/8985/cleffysmalluk3.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
I'm sure people would love it.
And it could also be used inside the firmware for example to show splash screens (by showing the text in a yellow speech bubble) ...or random popups just to annoy the user ;).

Actually, what's the use for a symbolic logo? And if we really need such a thing, why not just simply use the "R" (with the treble clef) instead?

My opinions on your proposition... It reminds me a lot of the MS Office assistant (you know, the animated paperclip)... I think this says it all... ;)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: haibane on November 06, 2006, 12:10:11 AM
I can't believe I'm getting pulled into this, but I like that box.

How's this for evolution? (Note, despite the title, I'm no artist :D  Comment on the idea, not the execution)

(http://planetretcon.com/img/rockbox1.png)
You know what my biggest problem with the rockbox logo is. Its the fact that its yellow. Yellow isn't the most appealing color, and usually if you do public presentations or videos you try to avoid the yellow as a backdrop. Extremely screamy colors never are that good really. For instance neon green would look horrid on this logo
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Febs on November 06, 2006, 07:03:48 AM
You know what my biggest problem with the rockbox logo is. Its the fact that its yellow. Yellow isn't the most appealing color,

Well, to reinforce the point that Linus made earlier:

(http://www.mcdonalds.com/images/global_splash/arch.jpg)

Clearly, yellow can be effective as the color of a logo.

(http://landingpage.guinness.com/NR/rdonlyres/045B250C-D39D-4AFD-B71A-E57186B1CBB8/0/guinness.gif)  (http://www.deere.com/en_US/deerecom/media/images/us_homepage/logo_green.gif)   (http://www.yellowpages.com.fj/images/logo.gif)

Quote
Extremely screamy colors never are that good really. For instance neon green would look horrid on this logo
Um, so don't use neon green with it?
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Llorean on November 06, 2006, 07:05:58 AM
I'd like to point out that the little running man for AIM, as well as the stylized similar guy for GAIM both use yellow as well (the AIM one being very similar to the RB yellow.)

Just throwing a little more out there. :)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: JdGordon on November 06, 2006, 07:35:20 AM
and one more... XXXX beer is yellow letters on black (the beer itself sux tho.. so that could be an argument against using yellow!)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: iPodFoo on November 06, 2006, 08:11:22 AM
Most of those examples about using yellow were used in the font, which is a big difference than using a whole solid yellow background. Yellow pages is really the only exception. But then their whole product revolves around being a big book of yellow pages!

See image for what it might look like reversed. I cant decide if it actually looks better as Im not really a fan of the overall design anyway.  ::)

[attachment deleted by admin, too old]
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: haibane on November 06, 2006, 09:40:56 AM
You know what my biggest problem with the rockbox logo is. Its the fact that its yellow. Yellow isn't the most appealing color,

Well, to reinforce the point that Linus made earlier:

(http://www.mcdonalds.com/images/global_splash/arch.jpg)

Clearly, yellow can be effective as the color of a logo.

(http://landingpage.guinness.com/NR/rdonlyres/045B250C-D39D-4AFD-B71A-E57186B1CBB8/0/guinness.gif)  (http://www.deere.com/en_US/deerecom/media/images/us_homepage/logo_green.gif)   (http://www.yellowpages.com.fj/images/logo.gif)

Quote
Extremely screamy colors never are that good really. For instance neon green would look horrid on this logo
Um, so don't use neon green with it?

Good point febs, but i must agree with ipod foo. The majority of the people don't use the yellow as a large background. Even in gaim as llorean points out for an example. Its the little man key word 'little'. I wasn't saying toss out yellow all together, but instead I was trying to say avoid it as a full on background. The golden arches you can't really argue is the same thing as that is one big symbol and not a background for a logo.

In this version the red is the big huge push for the image. This is the version I grew up seeing, and I honestly don't see the logo that much anymore so I am not sure what it really looks like.
(http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:TqvSk8LXKsd3KM:http://www.uso.org/Naples/images/mcdonalds-logo%255B1%255D.jpg)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: soap on November 06, 2006, 09:56:02 AM
If you want to escape the yellow background, giving the current logo more of a "blueprint" feel with colour choices would be consistent with the drafting style look it purposefully has.  Blue background, white text and draft marks.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Chronon on November 06, 2006, 12:49:44 PM
That's kind of a cool idea.  I wouldn't mind seeing some instances of that.  
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: iPodFoo on November 06, 2006, 01:04:48 PM
Ive often wondered, what does the "drafting" lines signify? That its a work-in-progress? So what happens when Rockbox is properly released? Will it still be represented as a work-in-progress?
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Febs on November 06, 2006, 01:25:34 PM
I don't see why not.  I will still BE a work in progress.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Chronon on November 06, 2006, 02:25:38 PM
Stasis = death.

It's vital [pun intended] that Rockbox continue to be a dynamic project.  As such "work-in-progress" is hardly a mark against it.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: haibane on November 10, 2006, 10:24:10 AM
Anyone willing to try the inverted logo?
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: wafflesomd on November 10, 2006, 05:09:30 PM
Just for no good reason:
(http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/7433/rockboxlogoua1.jpg)

Those are awsome.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Yotto on November 10, 2006, 05:38:37 PM
Anyone willing to try the inverted logo?

I didn't like it, too black.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Cassandra on November 12, 2006, 12:30:24 AM
Personally I've never been a huge fan of the logo - it's a little to busy in my opinion, plus orange is such an ugly colour.  Having said that, I've yet to see a better one.

Of course, my dislike for the Rockbox logo could explain why my Rockbox poloshirt seems to have vanished on the way back from Devcon.  And I *did* like that.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Spug on November 13, 2006, 07:40:45 PM
I also, humbly, dislike the logo a bit. The color is fine (but what do I know, I run once-brown Ubuntu), but the logo itself is pretty busy.

If it were to go in that direction (a symbol representing the project) it could even very well coexist with the existing logo. More of a mascot image. BSD Daemon, Linux's Tux, etc. Any cute little critters seem appropriate? ;)
That's what I'm thinking as well. If there's no consensus (or chief decision) that it should be changed, it'd be nice if there was a smaller logo that was more of an "icon", like  perhaps in addition to the logo, like the McDonalds arches or the Windows windows. There is now, to some extent; the G-clef is used as the website's favicon. I think it's a little too generic, but then again, Rockbox doesn't really need its own "branding". Personally, I think the blue note thing by jeanreno is the best one yet. The color doesn't seem bad to me either; the entire website is already blue, after all. It could be recolored in yellow too, I guess.

Just for no good reason:
(http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/7433/rockboxlogoua1.jpg)
They're very professional-looking, that's for sure. I really like the round ones. The boxed one was a nice idea and a good way to incorporate the name, but I'm not sure if the outcome works.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Cassandra on November 13, 2006, 08:13:40 PM
We should have a Rockbox Badger.

Because there aren't enough badgers in the world.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Llorean on November 13, 2006, 08:14:18 PM
YES! Seconded!
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: scorche on November 13, 2006, 08:35:45 PM
We already have a Bagder...does that count?
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Genre9mp3 on November 13, 2006, 08:54:14 PM
(http://www.misticriver.net/photos/albums/userpics/37201/rb.PNG)

 ;D
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: scorche on November 13, 2006, 09:24:03 PM
Keep in mind this is a rough image, but here:

(http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/7240/rb1ve4.png)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Yotto on November 13, 2006, 09:37:52 PM
And now we can have a song, too.

Rockbox, Rockbox, Rockbox, Rockbox, Rockbox, Rockbox, Rockbox...
OOOorrriiiginAL FIRMWARE!
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Llorean on November 13, 2006, 09:38:46 PM
We DO need a themesong (for the credits plugin!)

Or, um, not.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Genre9mp3 on November 13, 2006, 09:48:48 PM
We DO need a themesong (for the credits plugin!)

First track from Marty Friedman's "True Obsessions" album. The track is called.... Rock Box! ;)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Cassandra on November 13, 2006, 09:51:10 PM
Keep in mind this is a rough image, but here:

(http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/7240/rb1ve4.png)
Mummy, make the bad man stop.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Bagder on November 14, 2006, 04:13:18 PM
I'm... speechless...
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: alfred on November 15, 2006, 12:11:36 PM
hi everybody!

interesting thread! i just did a mash-up of two existing rockbox logos by senab and needleboy that i like very much. of course it's a matter of taste, but i'd prefer something as clean as that (see attachment).

btw, i've converted to rockbox about a week ago, you are doing an incredibly fine job! THANKS!

cu,
alfred

[attachment deleted by admin, too old]
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Spug on November 15, 2006, 07:33:46 PM
Something like that'd be great. Not sure if I like the backdrop there, but that icon and logo (with the font and different colors for "rock" and "box") definitely looks awesome.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: alfred on November 16, 2006, 12:47:48 AM
the backdrop is part of senab's theme. i'm not good enough at image processing to produce a good looking, neutral version. ;) well, i might try this afternoon when i'm back from work.

cu,
alfred
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: alfred on November 16, 2006, 07:23:13 AM
did it. please excuse the flaws, i'm a paint.net user... ::) i made the second version to preserve some of the rockbox-color flavor.

cu,
alfred

[attachment deleted by admin, too old]
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: LinusN on November 16, 2006, 07:48:57 AM
I think this is the best alternative suggestion so far. I like it.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: markun on November 16, 2006, 07:50:52 AM
I like it too. You could make "ROCK" rockbox-blue to keep the colours more like the old logo.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: fml2 on November 16, 2006, 09:21:42 AM
I like the old logo much better. It swings. The new doesn't IMHO. It's not bad, but the old is better. The new proposal would look better if the background weren't square. It should have rounded corners IMHO.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: iPodFoo on November 16, 2006, 09:41:20 AM
Hey alfred.

I like it too. But the logo is upside down!!! Unless there was some reason for that Im not aware of. Its meant to be visible as an R.

Attached is the right way up version.

[attachment deleted by admin, too old]
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: alfred on November 16, 2006, 10:18:37 AM
;) as i mentioned above, i took it from needleboy's logo (see attachment)... i don't know why he turned it around.

it looks even better, now that one can recognize the 'r', i think. thanks!

by now i can tell you that i definitely prefer the yellow version.

alfred


EDIT: rounded corners now, s'il vous plait ;) although the black background wasn't part of the logo for me.

[attachment deleted by admin, too old]
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: iPodFoo on November 16, 2006, 10:54:27 AM
Nice.

Ive made two subtley different variations with the colours for completists sake.  ;D

ps. Anyone know what font was used for it?

[attachment deleted by admin, too old]
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: mightybrick on November 16, 2006, 11:02:41 AM
Hey alfred.

I like it too. But the logo is upside down!!! Unless there was some reason for that Im not aware of. Its meant to be visible as an R.

Attached is the right way up version.
I think the appearance of an R was just coincidence.  I think the artist was trying to emphasize the musical aspect of Rockbox by placing a quarter note in a box, and the upside-down R was coincidental.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: lowlight on November 16, 2006, 11:06:18 AM
I don't know...looks too similar in style to the Zune logo.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Genre9mp3 on November 16, 2006, 11:23:49 AM
as i mentioned above, i took it from needleboy's logo

Just for the record, the logo is made by jeanreno and it was then used by needleboy (and later paulheu) on their experimental builds. Here are some more aspects of it:

http://www.misticriver.net/showpost.php?p=403283&postcount=30

And yes, it's nice. Sleek and elegant... I still prefer the old one, though.

EDIT:

(http://www.misticriver.net/photos/albums/userpics/37201/thumb_logolove.png)

I'll use this as my signature just to oppose to this "change the current logo" madness! :p
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: iPodFoo on November 16, 2006, 11:54:40 AM
mightybrick
Quote
quarter note in a boxemphasize the musical aspect of Rockbox by placing a quarter note in a box

Oh yeah. I see it now. But I still think its far more logical to have it as an R. Makes alot more sense that way. I think its too obscure with the quarter note.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: PaulPosition on November 16, 2006, 12:44:56 PM
Oh, it's still a quarter note even upside down anyway, just look at any Mozart, Chopin or whatever sheet music. :)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Cassandra on November 16, 2006, 01:08:36 PM
Despite not liking the current logo, I've still not seen anything that's leapt out at me and said "yes, that's worth the effort of getting our stationary changed"*.

The Bagder logo did make me lose sanity points though.

* No, we don't have stationary.  But you take the point.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Llorean on November 16, 2006, 01:14:05 PM
Yeah, the current logo to an extent extends to the themeing of the entire site. A change of logo with a dramatic change of feel (as many of these do) would suggest that a lot of other things needed to fall into line.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: alfred on November 16, 2006, 01:40:37 PM
@genre9mp3
ah! it's interesting to see that jeanreno used to different colors for 'rock' and 'box': needleboy dropped that and (without knowing) it i restored jeanreno's original idea by copying from senab. funny...

i prefer senab's font, though. i like the 'c' in 'rock' better.


@all
i don't think the logo has to change as long as rockbox sounds as it does. it's just fun to play with the logo and explore people's tastes.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Skyly on November 16, 2006, 01:48:58 PM
I agree with haibane that yellow isn't doing wonders for the logo. The Yellow Pages logo is certainly recognisable, but I see it as immediately ugly too. What decade did that come from anyway?

The current logo says "Under Construction". That's what it is saying, just spelt differently. Industrial and not full price yet because its still dodgy. The yellow and the big black letters with bits of black sticking out everywhere, corners not quite cut off precisely, its all very construction friendly and consumer unfriendly.

Imagine the current logo with the silver taken out of it. Not very enticing. That, and the G-clef with its shadow, are all that stand out in my opinion.

I think the logo is perfect for the website, because continued development is what this place is all about. Just not for the players; that's where the end result is being used. When someone fires up their jukebox for personal enjoyment, they don't want it to remind them that its still a work in progress. They (might) want something that looks sleek, deep, and extremely confident of just how much better it is than the original firmware.

So I'd rather see the logo that is used on the actual players being all about that kind of presentation. Then it would be alot easier to design a very polished/cool bootup screen around it.





Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: dan_a on November 16, 2006, 02:39:31 PM
I really like Alfred's all grey logo.  It's clean, and I imagine it would look good both on a small LCD screen and on a T-shirt.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: alfred on November 16, 2006, 03:04:17 PM
let me set that straight: it's jeanreno's logo with a touch of senab! i'm not the artist, rather a critic. ;)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: hotwire on November 17, 2006, 06:28:58 AM
Nobody has stated what I'm seeing, but in this logo where everyone is seeing the R, I'm actually seeing a lowercase 'r'.  It's not that abstract.

I think it works.  No practical application as a desktop icon, but it would work as one.

On 2nd thought.  I wonder if given the fact that CDs and DVDs have their own icons that show up in windows explorer that a rockbox device acting as a USB mass storage device could have that icon in windows explorer (or other file manager depending on the OS)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Febs on November 17, 2006, 09:34:34 AM
I just want to point out that before Rockbox could ever use this as a logo, we would need to get jeanreno's permission.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Chill on November 22, 2006, 05:35:25 PM
Hi

I'm quite a fan of the original logo, and have no particular desire to see it changed.  However, whilst reading this thread, it struck me that the two O's in rockbox might work quite well as the speakers on a portable radio, so I mocked this up to see how it might look.  I kept the current colour scheme, but other colours might work better.

[attachment deleted by admin, too old]
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: iPodFoo on November 22, 2006, 06:34:12 PM
Can see what your doing. But to me it looks more like a herbie car! Not that thats a bad thing, could be a pimped-herbie!  ;)

Not all the players rockbox is on dont have radio too, so the ariels could be a bit misleading. But im just being pedantic  ;D
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Rincewind on November 22, 2006, 06:54:06 PM
The new logo Alfred put together looks good, but it looks like the brand of a product you can buy. I like Rockbox to look like something you try out and have fun with and get involved with to customise your player with it. When the logo comes up at boot, it shows that the player was modified and is something special, nothing out of the box.

But this is just my opinion, Ipod users might want a sleek logo to match ther sleek players with round edges ;D (don't take me too serious here, please)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Chill on November 23, 2006, 06:23:56 PM
... to me it looks more like a herbie car! Not that thats a bad thing, could be a pimped-herbie!  ;)

None taken!  Quite appropriate really - "Rockbox Fully Loaded!"

Actually the aerials aren't the only problem - I don't think there are any Rockbox players that have built-in speakers either!  But I thought overall the boombox motif suggested a music player - nothing more.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Mikerman on November 26, 2006, 02:22:13 PM
What great new Rockbox designs!

But I still like the current--in my mind, it shows this site and the firmware as being a developer (and friends)-oriented on-going project, rather than a "commercial" product.  

But then, I still call my player an iHP-140 (actually, it's an iHP-160 now) rather than an H-xxx, and I still call iRiver that, not iriver.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: hotwire on December 01, 2006, 04:47:14 PM
I just want to point out that before Rockbox could ever use this as a logo, we would need to get jeanreno's permission.

So does anyone know how to get a hold of him, to get his potential permission?  Maybe his 2 cents could be worth it.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: rasher on December 15, 2006, 09:22:18 AM
I just want to point out that before Rockbox could ever use this as a logo, we would need to get jeanreno's permission.

So does anyone know how to get a hold of him, to get his potential permission?  Maybe his 2 cents could be worth it.
Not to mention possibly a vector and better quality version as well. He is or was on the MisticRiver forums, so you might be able to contact him through there.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: NicolasP on December 15, 2006, 12:34:17 PM
I just sent jeanreno a PM asking him to contact us to discuss this... The thing is I'm not too sure he ever visits MR currently, and his email was hidden :(
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: rasher on December 15, 2006, 01:34:33 PM
I just sent jeanreno a PM asking him to contact us to discuss this... The thing is I'm not too sure he ever visits MR currently, and his email was hidden :(
Yeah, I noticed that as well, maybe a MisticRiver admin could be persuaded to contact him (I'm pretty sure a valid email is required to register, so they'll have an address)?
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Febs on December 15, 2006, 01:36:14 PM
As a moderator at MR, I can access his e-mail, but I would prefer to wait to see if he responds to the PM before doing so.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: senab on December 15, 2006, 02:26:55 PM
I'm having a go at designing one as we speak :)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: rasher on December 15, 2006, 07:33:14 PM
As a moderator at MR, I can access his e-mail, but I would prefer to wait to see if he responds to the PM before doing so.
It probably also won't matter unless a decision is taken that his logo might be a candidate for use in some way.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Angyman on March 17, 2007, 08:33:57 AM
What i really actually miss in all the designs is a development of the logo. I dont think its the right way to make a complete new logo. For sure there are some nice ones in between. But there is mostly missing the connection to the current one.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: denny on March 17, 2007, 11:44:48 AM
I really like the cube one mentioned earlier on (as in ipodfoo's sig).

Got bored today and made this in five minuets so it a bit rough. I based it off of the current logo:

(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y196/truedenny/rblogo.png)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: psycho_maniac on March 17, 2007, 12:39:22 PM
May I suggest If the logo EVER gets changed that there be a poll or some type of "let the people decide" type of thing. I really like the Original Logo. I read this today and looked at the Logo on the main page and I really really like it. I think i said this before
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Llorean on March 17, 2007, 12:42:17 PM
Rockbox isn't a democracy. Little known fact: There was a poll on what Rockbox should be named, and the name with the second most votes got picked in a "We overrule" style situation. Not that it's necessarily a bad name, I liked the winner better but it probably wouldn't have been a good name overall, it just has a tendency to appeal to the sort of person I am.

A poll might happen, and it could influence the decision a little bit, but in the end the decision lies in a small group of peoples' hands pretty much no matter what. It's just the situation, y'know?
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: psycho_maniac on March 17, 2007, 03:00:58 PM
Yes I remember reading about the name of the project and rockbox did win even though it came in second I believe.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Yotto on March 18, 2007, 02:13:35 AM
Is nobody going to tell us what came in first?  ???
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: scorche on March 18, 2007, 04:22:34 AM
Is nobody going to tell us what came in first?  ???

The primordial goo.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Sando on March 18, 2007, 07:30:11 AM
Is nobody going to tell us what came in first?  ???
Quote
Hi.

Thanks for voting, everyone. The final results were surprisingly even:

Rockbox: 15
Gnukebox: 10
Orpheus: 17

Just to show what a ruthless dictator I am, I have decided to not use the
winning name Orpheus, instead going with the more descriptive second place
Rockbox. I'm such a crook! :-)

As you can see at the top of this mail, I have changed the mail address and
also the web page address (although the old will still work in both cases).

Now with this name business behind us, let's get on with the code. I have
submitted a SourceForge project registration, so we'll have a proper CVS and
task manager up and running within days.

--
Björn
http://www.rockbox.org/mail/archive/rockbox-archive-2002-01/0134.shtml
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: milanSPK on March 18, 2007, 08:44:45 AM
;) as i mentioned above, i took it from needleboy's logo (see attachment)... i don't know why he turned it around.

it looks even better, now that one can recognize the 'r', i think. thanks!

by now i can tell you that i definitely prefer the yellow version.

alfred

EDIT: rounded corners now, s'il vous plait ;) although the black background wasn't part of the logo for me.

this logo is by far the best thing posted so far.

(http://forums.rockbox.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=6202.0;attach=1416;image)

i agree that things shouldn't be changing all the time (concerning visual identity) but from the first time i visited, rockbox.org logo was something that i couldn't but notice as a bit "unfinished".
i understand that devs (or whoever) have the final word about this, but you should really consider other peoples opinions...

at the end, for me as a happy user, logo is not something that really matters as long as rb works as good as it does, but it might help make the community bigger and project more visible.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Yotto on March 18, 2007, 01:31:57 PM
Is nobody going to tell us what came in first?  ???
Quote
(Many snips)
Rockbox: 15
Gnukebox: 10
Orpheus: 17

Thank you!  I much prefer Rockbox to Orpheus, so I guess I'm happy for the decision :)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: LinusN on March 18, 2007, 03:20:12 PM
but it might help make the community bigger and project more visible.
Honestly, if it was the appearance of the logo that would attract some people to this community, I'd say that Rockbox is not for them. Let them go to other projects and admire their logos, and let us listen to music and have fun hacking code.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: bluebrother on March 18, 2007, 04:15:01 PM
Honestly, if it was the appearance of the logo that would attract some people to this community, I'd say that Rockbox is not for them. Let them go to other projects and admire their logos, and let us listen to music and have fun hacking code.
Amen to that!
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: soap on March 18, 2007, 05:10:52 PM
Honestly, if it was the appearance of the logo that would attract some people to this community, I'd say that Rockbox is not for them. Let them go to other projects and admire their logos, and let us listen to music and have fun hacking code.
Amen to that!

Sounds like an argument to remove Doom and Rockboy!
 ;D
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: bluebrother on March 18, 2007, 05:17:40 PM
Honestly, if it was the appearance of the logo that would attract some people to this community, I'd say that Rockbox is not for them. Let them go to other projects and admire their logos, and let us listen to music and have fun hacking code.
Amen to that!

Sounds like an argument to remove Doom and Rockboy!
 ;D

Go! Go! Go!
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: GodEater on March 19, 2007, 03:56:02 AM
Sounds like an argument to remove Doom and Rockboy!
 ;D

And amen to that too!
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: LinusN on March 19, 2007, 04:35:16 AM
Sounds like an argument to remove Doom and Rockboy!
 ;D

Hehe. I think those would fall under the "have fun hacking code" category.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: cruleworld on March 23, 2007, 11:11:35 AM
I design logos as a hobby so i think i'll have a go at this

Edit:
Here is my idea

(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i187/cruleworld/rockbox.png)
full Size Image
 >>http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i187/cruleworld/rockbox-1.png<<
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: lexicon on March 23, 2007, 06:46:37 PM
What is this fabulous Jubebox you speak of, and how may I get one?
 :D
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: cruleworld on March 23, 2007, 07:49:25 PM
What is this fabulous Jubebox you speak of, and how may I get one?
 :D


ha-ha didn't even notice I will fix that later how do you like he emblem though?
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: delorean90 on March 23, 2007, 08:00:08 PM
i like it, maybe the word "rockbox" could take a little more inspirarion from the original, but your logo looks pretty good
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: lexicon on March 23, 2007, 08:00:41 PM
What is this fabulous Jubebox you speak of, and how may I get one?
 :D


ha-ha didn't even notice I will fix that later how do you like he emblem though?

good concept, maybe the notes floating out of the box should be more obviously notes (they're a little "blobbish"), and a little wider text for the "jubebox" ;) subtitle.

but, to be honest, out of the current logo and everything proposed, my vote would go to the one shown here: http://forums.rockbox.org/index.php?topic=6202.msg72495#msg72495

Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: cruleworld on March 23, 2007, 09:32:13 PM
but, to be honest, out of the current logo and everything proposed, my vote would go to the one shown here: http://forums.rockbox.org/index.php?topic=6202.msg72495#msg72495
I have to agree
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: redwood on March 24, 2007, 09:32:13 AM
but, to be honest, out of the current logo and everything proposed, my vote would go to the one shown here: http://forums.rockbox.org/index.php?topic=6202.msg72495#msg72495

 I have to agree

yup - very nice logo, that.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: ray on March 25, 2007, 03:18:37 PM
This is my favourite!
(http://forums.rockbox.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=6202.0;attach=1310)

if i have time i'll give one a try!
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Toxikator on March 25, 2007, 04:04:00 PM
(http://forums.rockbox.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=6202.0;attach=1416;image)

This one is my favorite too.

The original rockbox logo, while it certainly has a lot of character, is sort of 'uppity'. It's very busy, and IMO that's not what a logo is about. A logo should be so generalized and memorable that one can sketch it on the top of the TV Guide without a reference.

This new one is sleek. It's less of a work of art and more of a symbol. It would work in a hundred different fonts, sizes, colors, and arrangements; it's that quarternote box and the words "Rock" and "box" adjacent in diff colors.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: bluebrother on March 25, 2007, 06:35:43 PM
... and how good does it work on greyscale or monochrome displays?
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Yotto on March 25, 2007, 08:00:48 PM
... and how good does it work on greyscale or monochrome displays?
2 minutes' work in gimp:

(http://planetretcon.com/img/rb_greyscale.png)(http://planetretcon.com/img/rb_monochrome.png)

Monochrome's not as pretty (it never is) but I also didn't put that much time into it and didn't bother with the jaggies on the letters.  Still, it's not what I'd call horrid and cleaned up I bet it'd look quite nice.  Grayscale IMO looks very good.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Llorean on March 25, 2007, 09:03:24 PM
Remember that our grayscale targets are 2-bit. You get "White, Black, Light Gray, Dark Gray" (not in that order). Load the grayscale image in a WPS on a grayscale target (not the jpeg viewer because that'll use the grayscale library for more shades) to get an idea of how it'll actually look.

You have to remember, we don't get to pick how light or dark the two grays are, the hardware does. Dark gray is pretty dark.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Yotto on March 26, 2007, 08:21:24 AM
Well, then in theory both could use the monochrome one, or perhaps white letters, black background, and use the two grays for the logo.

Dunno, just trying to point out that it's not an insurmountable problem.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: bluebrother on March 26, 2007, 08:33:38 AM
Dunno, just trying to point out that it's not an insurmountable problem.
I know it isn't an unsolvable problem, but I still think the current logo works better using greyscales. And it looks like a lot of logo arguers / creators forget the greyscale / monochrome aspect we still need.

I still like the current logo best ;)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Sambolina3 on March 26, 2007, 02:35:22 PM
I think it would be pretty nifty to have a bass cleft and a treble cleft on the logo instead of just a treble cleft.  
I vote to keep the logo relativly the same. ;)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: mad on August 05, 2007, 10:40:09 PM
this is my concept/idea. just a thought
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/mad0260/rblogoidea.png)
open source  ;)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: GodEater on August 06, 2007, 02:24:41 AM
Nice - I like it.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: gnu on August 07, 2007, 06:20:12 AM
Splendid idea, I really like it!
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: JdGordon on August 07, 2007, 06:27:56 AM
nice, but i doubt that would scale well for the little displays
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Chomite on August 08, 2007, 12:05:07 AM
I like it but I think it can be better  ;D Keep up the good work.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: countach on August 14, 2007, 05:12:37 AM
A little contribution: Plain and simple, and suitable in various colours.

(http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q124/countachs2k/rockbox/rockbox_logo01.png)


Some examples:

(http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q124/countachs2k/rockbox/rb_logo_01_ex01.png)

(http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q124/countachs2k/rockbox/rb_logo_01_ex04.png)

(http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q124/countachs2k/rockbox/rb_logo_01_ex02.png)

Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Job Van Dam on August 14, 2007, 03:31:40 PM
Nice work Countach. I'm going to be using that logo for my bootsplashs.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: JdGordon on August 14, 2007, 05:59:48 PM
A little contribution: Plain and simple, and suitable in various colours.


gets my vote! nice work
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: mannequin on August 14, 2007, 06:45:54 PM
fresh and original stuff for a change!
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Llorean on August 14, 2007, 06:47:21 PM
Honestly, I think the "two letters back to back" look is incredibly cliched, but that's my personal opinion on the matter.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: countach on August 16, 2007, 12:15:40 PM
Llorean: I'm agree,  :'(  That was a quick draft. The idea is to bring rockbox some kind of style not as amateurish as it have now. Just look at the existing themes... I delayed my RockBox migration in part by the overall look of the software...

As an idea... How about asking the Worth1000 folks to setup a contest to make the logo and all stuff?

This is Worth1000: http://www.worth1000.com/faq.asp#7

(Checkout: http://www.worth1000.com)

Worth1000 is a fantastic photoshop-related site that freely organize contests. They are always funny and very high skilled. Some of this contests are proposed by companies or individuals to get ideas or the final image or look. In this only case there is an small amount of money to the winner ($100...) but I saw cases that there was no money, as the proponent was a non-profit organization.

This are the rules they have:
http://www.worth1000.com/popup.asp?faq=265
and to propose one contest, a message have to be mailed to JasomLotus, the admin of that whole thing, using this url:
http://www.worth1000.com/messages.asp?uid=1&pm=1&corp=1
As I'm a (not very active) user of this site, I could manage it.

I'm pretty sure that, explaining them that fantastic Rockbox system, he will set up a contest with no fees. And the people of this site (lots) are not money-motivated, so I think will be a lot of entries too.

Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: scorche on August 17, 2007, 12:37:51 AM
Honestly, I still don't see why we need a new one so bad.  Hardly worth going through the effort of a contest if we don't really want a new one anyway.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Bagder on August 17, 2007, 03:46:39 AM
I would even say that:

No, we don't need a new logo, thanks.

But playing around and drawing and suggesting and offering logos for people's various custom builds and what not are of course a different matter: knock yerself out! ;-P
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Benway on August 17, 2007, 10:10:19 AM
No, we don't need a new logo, thanks.

LOL. Is this the the revenge of the nerdy developers on the designer dudes? ;)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: GuitarRocker2562 on August 17, 2007, 11:19:00 AM
I got a great reason for a new logo, everytime I look at it I see "Rockbax" the o with the x makes it look like an a and it kills me, I really like that "RB" thing someone made a couple of posts ago.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Febs on August 17, 2007, 12:03:43 PM
I got a great reason for a new logo, everytime I look at it I see "Rockbax" the o with the x makes it look like an a and it kills me, I really like that "RB" thing someone made a couple of posts ago.

I thought it looked too much like this:

(http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/a2/40/0121228348a0e966f0223110.L.jpg)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: etien on August 17, 2007, 12:07:05 PM
 ;D
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: LambdaCalculus on August 17, 2007, 12:10:05 PM
CTHULHU HAVE MERCY!!! ABBA!??
Title: i made a rockbox logo
Post by: miles_power on August 19, 2007, 01:11:31 AM
i understand that you guys arent looking for a new logo. and i wouldent blame you if you dident use this one but you can. i dont care if you use this logo.

i have heard/read forums of people saying the rockbox logo is boring frankly i agree. here it is

http://www.uploadyourimages.com/view/577653my_rockbox_logo_with_ipod_nano.jpg

i think it would be awsome if you did use this image. if you dont for some reason like copy writes. please tell me and i will fix it. oh the photo is the right size for an ipod 5.5g but can be changed.


if noone likes this logo pleas tell me what you dont like and give me an insperation or an idea of what you might think would be cool as a logo.


what ya think
Title: Re: i made a rockbox logo
Post by: Llorean on August 19, 2007, 01:48:59 AM
I deleted your second post here. The guidelines are enforced.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: pondlife on August 19, 2007, 05:46:52 AM
Well, Rockbox originates from Sweden...

pondlife
Title: Re: i made a rockbox logo
Post by: soap on August 19, 2007, 10:27:47 AM
EDIT:  Don't mean to sound pissy, but...
That's a second generation Nano, which Rockbox does not (and possibly never will) run on.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Febs on August 19, 2007, 10:42:59 AM
Related threads merged.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: miles_power on August 19, 2007, 04:13:57 PM
how about this one it is the same just with an ipod video

http://www.uploadyourimages.com/view/315621my_rockbox_logo_with_ipod_video.jpg

for some reason the ipod nano one looked better probly becouse the headphones sitting below it

what do ya think
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: scorche on August 19, 2007, 06:49:30 PM
If we were to use this logo on our lower res devices, it wouldn't work at all...
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: drippydonut on August 26, 2007, 04:18:59 AM
Using a photo is a bad idea because, as said, the logo needs to look good on all screens (including low-res monochrome ones). I would say I like the style of the writing, but just having the writing on its own wouldn't make a logo as good as the current one.

Also I don't like the use of any one particular player as this draws away from the fact that Rockbox is now ported to ~25 players through the hard effort of the developers. Just having an iPod could confuse or sway away people with other players.

Finally for some inspiration, take a good look at the current logo.. its got a lot of detail such as the treble clef on the 'R' and the texture on 'box' which look great on large colour screens, but when its scaled right down its still readable and recognisable.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: dt on August 26, 2007, 11:24:38 PM
In fact, I'd say we *can* guarantee that no logo but the original would win it. :D

hmm... no logo would be pretty good but you are right that the current logo would win simply because its a logo.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: ZincAlloy on May 08, 2008, 02:41:48 AM
maybe we should simply make a more contemporary looking version of the current logo?
here's my suggestion:
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Llorean on May 08, 2008, 02:58:33 AM
Honestly, I'm pretty tired of the whole reflection thing. Everything's doing it, and it doesn't even look that great in the first place. To me, at least, that sucks any life the Rockbox logo had out of it, and replaces it with a helping of "hey, we want to be indistinguishable from everyone else who likes shiny surfaces." Not to be overly critical, I suppose, it's just *really* not my thing.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: ZincAlloy on May 08, 2008, 03:09:04 AM
yes, these are EVERYWHERE now  ;D
I happen to like this kind of design cliché..
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: DancemasterGlenn on May 08, 2008, 04:00:38 AM
Perhaps remove the reflection, and make the words in a rockbox yellow gradient instead of grey? In my head that sounds cool, but I'd have to see it to know.

EDIT: Just to be clear, I enjoy the logo as-is, but as long as it's being talked about I figured I might as well say something.

Also, I do like the reflection, but can also see that it's just the "cool thing to do", and probably shouldn't be used in this case.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: ZincAlloy on May 08, 2008, 04:42:09 AM
yellow? I'm not too hyped about it...
and not doing something because it's in fashion is kinda weired..

Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: DancemasterGlenn on May 08, 2008, 04:46:38 AM
Well, the whole WPS is yellow themed, so no sense in getting freaked out by yellow at this point :P

I made this up really fast, nothing at all fancy, just something very simple with the R from the current logo:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v71/dancemasterglenn/rockboxboot.png)

It wouldn't necessarily have to be yellow, white could work, but I'm one of the people who likes yellow, apparently. I still like zincalloy's (and the original logo), but I figured I'd throw this into the ring.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: ZincAlloy on May 08, 2008, 04:53:07 AM
maybe I need to exepriment with different shades of yellow.. I'll give it another shot..

EDIT: that's better now..
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: cool_walking_ on May 08, 2008, 04:53:34 AM
Honestly, I'm pretty tired of the whole reflection thing. Everything's doing it, and it doesn't even look that great in the first place. To me, at least, that sucks any life the Rockbox logo had out of it, and replaces it with a helping of "hey, we want to be indistinguishable from everyone else who likes shiny surfaces." Not to be overly critical, I suppose, it's just *really* not my thing.

I agree.

Sorry if it's already mentioned, but I can not be bothered to read this thread right now.  I like that little R-in-the-shape-of-a-box thing (seen here (http://forums.rockbox.org/index.php?topic=10030.msg105950#msg105950)), but I remember reading that we lost contact with the creator and the licensing on that is unclear. :(
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: wintermute23 on May 08, 2008, 09:25:29 AM
maybe I need to exepriment with different shades of yellow.. I'll give it another shot..

EDIT: that's better now..


Oooohhh... I like that. I was going to say that I liked the greyscale version (though I'm not a fan of the reflection), but this version is very nice.

I quite like the original, and wouldn't be upset if it never got changed (probably just as well), but I'd be happy to see this replace it.

Really, I'd like to see the custom splash patch (http://www.rockbox.org/tracker/task/7538?histring=splash&pagenum=2) commited, so that everyone can have the logo they want. But that's probably not going to happen, either.

Ah, well.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: JdGordon on May 08, 2008, 09:36:15 AM
Really, I'd like to see the custom splash patch (http://www.rockbox.org/tracker/task/7538?histring=splash&pagenum=2) commited, so that everyone can have the logo they want. But that's probably not going to happen, either.

3 words... not a chance :D
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: karashata on May 09, 2008, 03:50:09 AM
I think I like the latest proposal...  Would look a lot better than the current logo with the black background, and will look cleaner on the smaller-screened targets (like my H10 20GB).  Just one question, though.  If this propoal is accepted as the new default for the DAPs, will the site's logo be changed to match it, or will it remain what it is currently?
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: pixelma on May 09, 2008, 07:34:49 AM
This logo discussion comes up every now and then... and first something general: I've never heard of any real plans to change the current logo. This is probably a matter of taste and therefore hard to discuss, but I think that a new logo has to be better by quite an amount (in the opinion by a few core developers and/or project leaders) to even consider a change. Especially since switching to a different logo would mean some more work to get it on the website, forum and so on...

This leads to my second point: my personal opinion is that if something's changed there and is supposed to be used as boot logo on the targets it should be used on all displays (at least all bitmap ones). You can discuss about it but I just like if it stays as close as possible across the different displays so that the logo stays recognisable.

Third, I completely agree with Llorean about the reflection "fashion". For me this covers the reflection of the whole logo as well as the glossy effect in the writing itself. I like the sketchy look of the current logo and that it is a bit rough around the edges. It gives some sort of identity and doesn't follow "everyone" else...

Summary: I don't think that this polishing of the current logo is worth it (even making it too banal). Feel free to discuss about these thoughts...
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: yapper on May 09, 2008, 12:26:23 PM
I happen to like the cleaner look, but I agree with pixelma's general comments.

Personally, I'd like a more "iconic" logo, like the famed "cube R" that can't be used  :) If someone came up with a useable logo like that, it would be interesting ....
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: DancemasterGlenn on May 09, 2008, 01:21:02 PM
Maybe something like the one I posted...
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: jswetzen on May 09, 2008, 05:06:59 PM
I like the idea of alternatives, but on the other hand I am a big fan of the current logo. When I made a boot splash there was no way I could leave out the original logo in my design (it's here (http://img168.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rockboxsplashnamelesssi8.png) if you'd like to see it), somehow it really feels like Rockbox to me. ::)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: j8048188 on May 11, 2008, 10:06:14 PM
I really like that logo... we could just swap pics of the players for each player :D
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: wintermute23 on May 12, 2008, 01:39:27 PM
Is this the guy (http://chrisjs.com/) we'd need to contact about the quarternote / R logo that people like?
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: NicolasP on May 12, 2008, 03:17:23 PM
No, the original author is "JeanReno" from the MisticRiver forums.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: wintermute23 on May 12, 2008, 03:32:40 PM
Ah, OK.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: hayden on October 01, 2008, 02:16:45 PM
Couldn't resist .. so here's 2 more cents if anyone is interested. (with so many cents you folks wont need sponsors)

Preamble.
1) huge props for 'We do not permit abbreviations such as "ppl" and "u" in these forums.' Amen.

2) the badger that has appeared earlier - just one question - is that a tail between its legs or...

More on topic
3) Its curious that for people who write 'stasis = death' and push a project that is always evolving,  that its image doesn't.

4) I realise that open source is normally a case of standing on the shoulders of giants but when you use and or propose an image like this http://pijulius.blogspot.com/2006/06/rockbox-bootloader-with-fullscreenlogo.html you should at least credit the origins? http://images.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&safe=off&q=hed+kandi+image&btnG=Search+Images

5) A few arguments that dont really cut the mustard for me. No logo change because:
i) We dont want a polished looking product because we're always evolving and dont want to look 'finished'
 - Why have a logo at all then?
ii) That will attract 'normal users' and just cost development time explaining to incompetent novices.
 - Just plainly state that community resources are spent in development and not explaining to plebs.
iii) Evolution not revolution - we havent seen any small changes
 - Some of the greatest logo changes in the history of design have been revolutions.

And you saw it coming.. heres my version - put in the context of a new web page
http://www.unco.co.nz/legacy/work/rockbox/rockbox1.jpg

</2c>

Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Llorean on October 01, 2008, 02:19:11 PM
I don't see any indication of "music" in that logo at all. It's more or less all box, no rock.

As a note: It's Rockbox 3.0 (or v3.0), not "3". I know people call it 3, but in the documentation and elsewhere (such as a mock up of an official website) it's 3.0.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: gevaerts on October 01, 2008, 02:22:03 PM
And you saw it coming.. heres my version - put in the context of a new web page
http://www.unco.co.nz/legacy/work/rockbox/rockbox1.jpg

Your logo may be polished, but in my humble opinion that's all it is. The current one looks much better.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: LambdaCalculus on October 01, 2008, 02:26:08 PM
I'm sorry, but I think that logo is very un-Rockbox.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: MarcGuay on October 01, 2008, 02:30:43 PM
The site design is nice and shows a lot of potential for improvements in the keep-it-simple-stupid department, but I have to agree that the logo itself left me a bit cold.  A for effort.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Chronon on October 01, 2008, 02:35:38 PM
4) I realise that open source is normally a case of standing on the shoulders of giants but when you use and or propose an image like this http://pijulius.blogspot.com/2006/06/rockbox-bootloader-with-fullscreenlogo.html you should at least credit the origins? http://images.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&safe=off&q=hed+kandi+image&btnG=Search+Images

I just want to point out that this was never under consideration as an official logo.  It has only ever appeared in unofficial builds created by individuals.  Any official logo will have to be compatible with GPL (v2 or greater), as far as I understand.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: ZincAlloy on October 01, 2008, 02:44:37 PM
I really like that web design. Clear and straight forward. And the logo is kinda.... grooovy!  ;D

I don't see any indication of "music" in that logo at all. It's more or less all box, no rock.

don't you see the sound waves emanating from the box?
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: AlexP on October 01, 2008, 04:00:28 PM
I quite like the design, I don't like the logo :)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: saanaito on October 01, 2008, 04:26:56 PM
Agreed; the overall design of the page looks wonderful, but the logo just turns me off.

I think a yellow speaker would look better as a logo. ;)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: hayden on October 02, 2008, 03:52:05 AM

Here's an evolution version (yes, sometimes evolution has leaps and bounds too) using the r/note/box of an earlier poster modified so it isn't read upside down.

To save some uber-geeks time, the binary reads "rockbox rocks" when read as ascii

Have included a legibility comparison at the bottom - to demonstrate the main reason why I avoided the draughting lines of the original

http://www.unco.co.nz/legacy/work/rockbox/rockbox2.jpg

On another point I think this post forum should be stickied because:
1) Its a conversation which will continue to rear its head the more popular/broad the project becomes
2) It would help give people who want to make a design-based contribution some background information ie things definitively rejected... the badger did get rejected right?
3) Designing 'cold' like this is difficult so it helps to get to know the personality of rockbox - the apparent contradictions like a treble clef (classical?) with the word "rock" and so on.


Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: JdGordon on October 02, 2008, 03:54:33 AM
yeah that logo looks better..
dont like the grey though
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: bascule on October 02, 2008, 04:00:40 AM
Here's an evolution version (yes, sometimes evolution has leaps and bounds too) using the r/note/box of an earlier poster modified so it isn't read upside down.

I really like that one. However, as you've noticed, Rockbox is not a democracy and there seems little appetite from those who could change it to do so.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Llorean on October 02, 2008, 04:06:17 AM
We prefer not to sticky topics here. There's just too many topics that one could argue *could* be stickied, it makes more sense to expect people to just follow the guidelines and run a quick search or two on their area of interest.

It would be also good to remember that the people you most need to convince are the people who really like the original image. The line "think evolution, not revolution" means "We're more likely to prefer ones inspired by and closely related to the current one." Saying "Well, sometimes evolution makes jumps" just means to us "I don't really like your current image so I'm going to make something completely different and call it evolution."

And, as to your legibility test, why exactly are we scaling the full website header image down to ridiculously small sizes, exactly? (PS: It looks to me like your scaling is done by a poor algorithm, look in the top left corner of this page to see a similarly scaled one to your medium image, but with a lot less ugliness, and I suspect both our and your image would look better with better scaling).

As to the treble clef, in a widespread non-technical sense the treble clef is considered more or less symbolic of music in general, and so suitable as being very recognizable. As, obviously, we are not about a container made of stone.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: hayden on October 03, 2008, 02:29:37 AM
We prefer not to sticky topics here. There's just too many topics that one could argue *could* be stickied, it makes more sense to expect people to just follow the guidelines and run a quick search or two on their area of interest.
ok fair enough

It would be also good to remember that the people you most need to convince are the people who really like the original image. The line "think evolution, not revolution" means "We're more likely to prefer ones inspired by and closely related to the current one." Saying "Well, sometimes evolution makes jumps" just means to us "I don't really like your current image so I'm going to make something completely different and call it evolution."
And, as to your legibility test, why exactly are we scaling the full website header image down to ridiculously small sizes, exactly? (PS: It looks to me like your scaling is done by a poor algorithm, look in the top left corner of this page to see a similarly scaled one to your medium image, but with a lot less ugliness, and I suspect both our and your image would look better with better scaling).
Obviously no one on the rockbox team has asked for design concepts so this situation is different to a normal design process - my personal reason for throwing my 2c into the logo ring was that (even though the current logo is loved like a child) there are reasons to be critical of it.

If i had to state only a few things I would say (and this is for future endevours because i'm blowing my 2 cent budget here)
1) the treble clef gets lost at small (forum id) sizes. (perhaps more than a simple note)
2) the tagline is lost quickly - even with a better algorhythm than the one I was using
3) the space between the 'o' & 'x' isn't very well defined
4) unsure whether the code on the right hand side is secondary - or just additional texture or part of logo

a case in point: ford
http://www.underconsideration.com/brandnew/archives/can_ford_afford_a_redesign.php
this is an argument for both evolution and revolution.

- the oldest clearly had some problems first jump was radical
- since then has been carefully maintained with minor tweaks
- looks like they are going with another radical jump soon?


on a closing note:
Keep up the great work all - work like you're doing + active forums help keep the community vibrant.
Looking forward to version 3.1!

hayden



Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: yapper on October 03, 2008, 12:21:56 PM
I'd be curious to see some indication of how well loved the current logo is.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Llorean on October 03, 2008, 03:26:41 PM
Do you have a numeric scale for love, or were you just looking for a chorus of voices to say "I like it better than anything that's been suggested so far"?
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: yapper on October 03, 2008, 06:04:54 PM
Maybe something a bit more objective, like a poll to seek opinions of the current logo versus the most recent offering by hayden.

Voting options could include "new is better than old", "old is better than new", "like both", "like neither" and the obligatory "I prefer not to answer"  :)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Llorean on October 03, 2008, 06:10:00 PM
I thought the idea was to see how well loved the old one is? Why are we comparing it to Hayden's now, rather than any other suggestion we've been given?

One thing I'd like to ask Hayden: Ignoring the "they can scale down to smaller images" factor since that's pretty much irrelevant, what exactly is your goal with the image redesigns? My personal perspective on your redesigns is that you're basically attempting to take any life out of them and make it "a boring word and an icon", which I know sounds really negative, but it's the impression I get from it, and I'd like to hear what your intent with it was to understand. At that point maybe I can offer some constructive feedback instead.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: yapper on October 03, 2008, 07:09:09 PM
I thought the idea was to see how well loved the old one is? Why are we comparing it to Hayden's now, rather than any other suggestion we've been given?
Because I don't know of an internationally recognised scale of love  ::)  Comparing (with one or more) contenders might give logo designers a clue where the consensus of opinion is, in terms of preferred design style.

Clearly not everyone is 'deeply in love' with the current logo, but determining what (if anything) is perceived to be better is difficult to judge.

Based on the default theme 'project', it might be an idea to find what people prefer (based on a few proposals), then refine the preferred offering, and then see if that is deemed acceptable as a replacement.

Ignoring the "they can scale down to smaller images" factor since that's pretty much irrelevant.
The logo is shown scaled down on the DAPs, so there is relevance (IMHO)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Llorean on October 03, 2008, 07:26:05 PM
The logo is shown scaled down on the DAPs, so there is relevance (IMHO)
The logo isn't even remotely scaled down to the level he scaled it in the way he scaled it, nor is it necessary that the website logo be used without modification on the DAP. The fact is, the Rockbox logo can be scaled down through simplification (removal of the textures to replace with solid colors, removal of detail text) to scale down an awful lot and remain recognizable. Further modification (such as shortening the text to "Rb") for tiny screens or changing contrasts for grayscale and B&W targets is also possible. As it stands, the Rockbox forum staff icons are small enough to fit on the screen of any current bitmap target we have or, as far as I know, have looked at, and are still pretty darn recognizable.

So, yes, the scaling test is irrelevant in the manner he performed it, and cannot be objectively useful without a definition of the minimum size, color depth, etc, that it can be scaled to.




As to the voting, who gets to vote then? It's clear several individuals don't like this image, but frankly most of them also don't matter too much. They're people who've found this thread specifically because they don't like the image. How do you propose to get all the people who are happy with the image, and thus have never looked at this thread in the first place, to vote? You're asking for an unquestionably skewed vote.

Should it just be the few people who maintain the website (and thus make the very final decision) who vote, since those people at least have the authority to reject images?
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Chronon on October 03, 2008, 07:44:45 PM
Should it just be the few people who maintain the website (and thus make the very final decision) who vote, since those people at least have the authority to reject images?

It would be keeping with tradition to hold a vote and then just have Bjorn choose his favorite (http://www.rockbox.org/mail/archive/rockbox-archive-2002-01/0134.shtml) wouldn't it?   :P
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: yapper on October 03, 2008, 08:09:56 PM
Let's just rename the whole project and do a new logo at the same time  :P
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: karashata on October 03, 2008, 08:39:16 PM
But Rockbox is such a good name...  What could be better than that..?
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: LambdaCalculus on October 03, 2008, 08:49:46 PM
I could never imagine Rockbox being named anything different, or ever having a different logo.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: karashata on October 03, 2008, 09:02:14 PM
I could probably live with a new logo if someone came up with something good, but the name definitely has to stay...
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: yapper on October 03, 2008, 09:44:31 PM
Orpheus?   ;)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: soap on October 03, 2008, 10:17:33 PM
I strongly agree that the x and the b are too close together.  I also do not like the way the o and x mate, IMHO it makes the o look like an a.
I also think the current logo looks better with the colors "negativeized" as it clearly looks like a blueprint in progress then.  I think the construction lines around the word Rock are less obvious when displayed as black on yellow.
I assume the logo was originally shown as white on blue?
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Llorean on October 03, 2008, 10:23:26 PM
I do agree there definitely could be some space between the X and the O. And the inverted look isn't bad at all, though at this point we seem to have adopted "Rockbox yellow" for use in a lot of other places.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: yapper on October 03, 2008, 10:34:35 PM
In an idle moment, I tried spacing the O and X to be consistent with the B and O spacing, but it results in the X being isolated from the O entirely ... a spacing fix would probably entail a rework of all of the 'box' text.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: denny on October 04, 2008, 11:18:19 AM
I made this for a bit of fun and practice at graphics creation (still a bit unrefined):

(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y196/truedenny/rblogoconcept.png)

(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y196/truedenny/rblogoconceptsmall.png?t=1223133336)

Tried to keep the same sort of feel as the original, but with a cleaner look. Should probably be fixing my themes instead though...
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: soap on October 04, 2008, 11:23:16 AM
It's got the note, and is very legible at small sizes.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: gevaerts on October 04, 2008, 11:26:24 AM
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y196/truedenny/rblogoconceptsmall.png?t=1223133336)

I like this one. I'm not sure yet if I prefer it to the current logo, but it is nice.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: karashata on October 04, 2008, 12:43:41 PM
I like it, but I think the somewhat greenish-yellow should be changed to match the current logo's more orange-yellow...
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: denny on October 04, 2008, 01:04:01 PM
Thanks for the comments guys. I did the colour from a guess (I'm colourblind which doesn't help sometimes). Here's one that matches the orange of the original:

(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y196/truedenny/rblogoconcept2.png)

(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y196/truedenny/rblogoconcept2small.png)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: gevaerts on October 04, 2008, 02:19:06 PM
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y196/truedenny/rblogoconcept2small.png)

The colours are indeed better now.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: saanaito on October 04, 2008, 02:25:05 PM
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y196/truedenny/rblogoconcept2small.png)

Definitely my favorite so far. Excellent job. :)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: AlexP on October 06, 2008, 06:24:45 AM
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y196/truedenny/rblogoconcept2small.png)

I really like that too :)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Llorean on October 06, 2008, 06:27:00 AM
Could we see that latest logo with a lower-case "box", and perhaps (I'm not sure how this will look) shaving the point off the upper left corner so that it's also a right angle?
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: soap on October 06, 2008, 08:56:53 AM
Could we see that latest logo with a lower-case "box", and perhaps (I'm not sure how this will look) shaving the point off the upper left corner so that it's also a right angle?
Perhaps also some shading on the right side of the note so the line between it and the yellow background is more distinct @ lower resolution?

 :D
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: hayden on October 06, 2008, 10:04:39 AM
One thing I'd like to ask Hayden: Ignoring the "they can scale down to smaller images" factor since that's pretty much irrelevant, what exactly is your goal with the image redesigns? My personal perspective on your redesigns is that you're basically attempting to take any life out of them and make it "a boring word and an icon", which I know sounds really negative, but it's the impression I get from it, and I'd like to hear what your intent with it was to understand. At that point maybe I can offer some constructive feedback instead.

Hi Llorean,
In the first place my goal (as with my general approach to design) was to try and say something as efficiently and/or eloquently as possible. Looking at the current logo I didn't feel that all the elements were necessary or clear enough in their intent in order to 'say' what rockbox is. Most well designed logos aren't made up of arbitrary decisions, which means they can be interrogated. What is the meaning of x, what is the hierarchy of elements etc etc.

To use denny's example (which I think is great) his logo to me says 1) music 2) box 3) construction which I think is pretty much the right order - and additionally it doesn't use a whole lot of extraneous elements to communicate this.

I suppose that my desire to see a change in the logo comes from not understanding the current one
- why the textured nature of the box?
- why the (architectural) lines ? is that the strongest way to talk about the idea of construction or evolution ?
- why does the music (note) element appear to be secondary to (or less important than) the others ?

Secondly, the huge changes (eg since 2.4) aren't reflected in how rockbox is presenting itself. All the amazing work going on behind the scenes is staying behind the mask so to speak.

If you felt my suggestion lacked life then obviously I missed the mark, and I'm glad to see denny's response getting positive feedback because I think it goes a long way towards solving some of the perceived 'issues'. Though to throw it on top of an old blue and white bb forum would do it a disservice  ;)

h
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Llorean on October 06, 2008, 10:31:41 AM
Ah, I see one of the difficulties here then, from your comment about the forum (which isn't phpBB at all, but SMF). Some of us look for information first, and have the imagery as decoration. Some of us value the decoration, and ignore the information (such as the bits that tell you this is an SMF forum).

Almost all the "amazing work" between Rockbox 2.4 and 3.0 really is behind the scenes. I would hazard that a large percent of it is things "under the hood" as it were, that users won't notice. The most user-noticeable features is obviously the new theme, and while that was first released with 3.0, the featureset that theme demands has existed for years (since the H300 port got bitmap graphics, more or less).

So, while you're trying to communicate "It's shiny and new and sleek" I personally (and I suspect several of the developers) would like to communicate "This is the product of many peoples' work. It is planned. It is a piece of software we put together from many peoples' contributed pieces. It plays music."

Make no mistake, the project plays music, but what it is is a piece of open source software developed by many people over a long period.

Heck, some people probably don't even play music on their MP3 players. I'm sure a lot of people use it for audiobooks, as it's surely a decent way to have voice-navigated use of audiobooks.

Speaking of "Communication", what elements of your logo actually communicate anything about what Rockbox is? I see an R and a musical note, and that's about it. Nothing about that communicates "software" or "a continually developed project" or "many rough edges are to be expected" or anything else about the project other than "there's a letter R, and it involves music."
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: GodEater on October 06, 2008, 10:34:54 AM
Heck, some people probably don't even play music on their MP3 players. I'm sure a lot of people use it for audiobooks, as it's surely a decent way to have voice-navigated use of audiobooks.

Don't forget the RockDoom / Rockboy crowd either ;)

Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: ZincAlloy on October 06, 2008, 10:58:54 AM
Speaking of "Communication", what elements of your logo actually communicate anything about what Rockbox is? I see an R and a musical note, and that's about it. Nothing about that communicates "software" or "a continually developed project" or "many rough edges are to be expected" or anything else about the project other than "there's a letter R, and it involves music."

but are logos supposed to communicate that much? most logos I know are very simplistic and abstract. some text and/or a graphical symbol.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Llorean on October 06, 2008, 11:04:58 AM
http://images.google.com/images?q=logo

Logos can vary quite a large amount in the terms of graphical detail and information conveyed. Some logos exist to grow brand awareness, these are often very simple and easy for someone to remember.

That's probably not our goal here, though.

Other logos try to convey information. Since our logo is, primarily, just a page header, it really needs to reflect the project more than act as a brand awareness front, I think.

And, frankly, all the Rockbox logo is, anyway, is "Formatted text and a symbol." The bit of code on the side, and the box that contain it are more presentation than "logo". The drive here, from one group, seems to be, from my perspective "remove the formatting so the text doesn't carry any symbolism" and "create a logo that says nearly nothing about the project itself".
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: denny on October 06, 2008, 03:43:56 PM
Could we see that latest logo with a lower-case "box", and perhaps (I'm not sure how this will look) shaving the point off the upper left corner so that it's also a right angle?
Perhaps also some shading on the right side of the note so the line between it and the yellow background is more distinct @ lower resolution?

 :D

As requested :) :

(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y196/truedenny/rbv2copy.png)

(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y196/truedenny/rbv2copysmall.png)


I blunted the point but a right angle looks very unbalanced (i can still mock one up if you would like) and the 'box' is now lower case as per the original. Added a shadow around the right hand side of the note too. Not really sure which version I prefer personally, I like them both. Thanks for the interest :D.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: karashata on October 06, 2008, 03:48:03 PM
It just gets better and better as it goes...

The only thing I can see potentially being a problem is the black border being lost in the black background on the DAPs themselves.  Then again, I think the current logo already has this problem on the DAPs too...

Then again, perhaps it isn't so much of a problem...
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: denny on October 06, 2008, 04:44:02 PM
Thankyou :)

I think to avoid that problem, and to deal with the fact its not a quadrilateral logo like the original, it would have to be displayed in a white strip or rectangle. Or perhaps given a white outer glow on a black backgrounded bmp so it would appear to merge seamlessly with the boot screen black... but this is just fanciful talk methinks.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: audio-i on October 06, 2008, 05:31:02 PM
Those are nice  ;) But... I like the current logo so much more! Because of this thread, I was thinking of the first impressions I got from the logo when I first came to Rockbox. I remember that it was a bit surprising that it wouldn't transmit "modern", or "technology". But, besides other positive things that have been already mentioned about it here before, it also transmitted "construction" (yes), some sort of "do it yourself" thing that I really like, "flexibility, adjustment", and also some sort of a “vintage” thing, that may seem contradictory (?), but that now I personally also like. So, I tried to figure out why wouldn't it transmit "modern/technology", of course having no idea if that would be desirable to be transmitted, just assuming it, but I reckon that might be one of the main reasons people would like to change the booting splash image. Anyway, I think that might be because of two things: 1-The "ROCK" font, that doesn't look modern (and looks somewhat disproportioned, too tall or too thin), specially compared to "box", which does look modern, and 2- The old fashioned music note... which I like! I would never leave out the "sketch" lines.

So, I'm not saying that the current logo should be replaced, but if something was to be done about it, IMHO it should be a rework of the current logo, instead of a replacement.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: TexasRockbox on October 07, 2008, 05:11:46 PM
If something is to be doen to the original logo, I would think the edge enhancement needs to be removed.  If one looks very carefully it can be seen that around the letters the yellow-ish background is lightened -- it's about 1 pixel wide.  This gives a false impression of sharpness (TVs do the same thing when "sharpness" is increased.

Otherwise, I have my own idea for a Rockbox logo but can't draw worth anything.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Zardoz on October 18, 2008, 10:12:45 AM
I like hayden's take on the quarter note design. It's clean, clear and simple. Music note in a box shaped logo with a prominent 'r' says it all to me. And for me it just boils down to what looks best and next to jeanreno's 'box' thingy, this is it.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: ZincAlloy on December 23, 2008, 07:40:55 AM
another idea:
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: MarcGuay on December 23, 2008, 08:50:59 AM
That cube is quite deluxe!
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: ZincAlloy on December 23, 2008, 10:21:23 AM
played around a bit with the box and the font

edit: added a more traditional rockbox-yellow version
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: DancemasterGlenn on December 23, 2008, 04:28:02 PM
I very much enjoy the yellow one.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Llorean on December 23, 2008, 04:33:21 PM
I think it'd have a lot of difficulty on the much lower DPI of most of the screens we're dealing with.

You may wish to start with something like a 100x48 mono image then add color and details from there after it looks good at that size and bit depth. That way you're working up from the worst quality, rather than creating something that looks nice, but can't be preserved downward.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: ZincAlloy on December 29, 2008, 01:33:19 PM
true, it doesn't really resemble the larger version when adapted to that size :/
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Artursk on March 21, 2011, 02:46:48 PM
As long as Rockbox has a lot to do with pixels and low resolution screens
I thought that a logo,that's made of pixels would be cool
 I also used console font for it.

(http://i54.tinypic.com/90r7n6.jpg)


here is how it would look on sansa clip

(http://i56.tinypic.com/idav6a.jpg)

or

(http://i51.tinypic.com/2gvlq13.jpg)


so,how do you like it ?
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: AlexP on March 21, 2011, 03:35:16 PM
I appreciate that it is difficult with so few pixels to work with, but I'd prefer the R to look like an R :)

Also, real words please, "you" not "u"
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Yotto on March 21, 2011, 06:47:05 PM
Yeah I really don't like that "R"

What about 4 squares, with a backslash in the 3rd quadrant?

(too lazy to draw/upload)

Code: [Select]
+--+--+
|  |  |
+--+--+
|\\|  |
+--+--+

I still like the original (and that unofficial one that a lot of people like with the R and a music note on a cube) better.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Raiden175 on March 21, 2011, 09:02:19 PM
im not much as one would call an artist but heres an idea! hope it helps! it would be awesome if we can get the logo changed:D id help contribute with more! but sadly i can not draw and am barley learning c :(
hope it helps though:D

(http://i53.tinypic.com/2813d0.jpg)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Artursk on March 22, 2011, 10:43:00 AM
You mean like this?

(http://i52.tinypic.com/24xjed4.jpg)

it's actualy not a bad idea- very simple and easy to recognize.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Serenity on March 30, 2011, 03:58:50 PM
Oooh. I quite like that one. It looks like a little house with a welcoming open door.
I also like ZincAlloy's posh logo, but I understand the scaling problem

The luddite in me would like to see some bright color added, though I couldn't tell you how. The simple design of the house logo is great.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Yotto on March 30, 2011, 07:02:18 PM
I played with the logo a bit, keeping as true to the original while introducing the diagonal on the R. I "cheated" by expanding each "pixel" to a 2x2 block to make the diagonal look smoothish, while not losing all of its blockiness.

(http://planetretcon.com/img/rb-blocky.png)

I don't actually think this should replace the default logo or anything. I was just curious how it'd look and was happy with the result. I am a fan, though, of a square logo that will shrink down well. This would shrink down to 18x18 which is pretty small.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: [Saint] on March 31, 2011, 12:28:07 AM
I "cheated" by expanding each "pixel" to a 2x2 block to make the diagonal look smoothish, while not losing all of its blockiness.

That looks smooth to you?

It's in serious need of shading, as opposed to solid black/white.

EDIT: It'd need to scale to 12x12 to be used also, can it go that low?

[St.]
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Yotto on March 31, 2011, 12:43:27 AM
I "cheated" by expanding each "pixel" to a 2x2 block to make the diagonal look smoothish, while not losing all of its blockiness.

That looks smooth to you?
I said ish!

Quote
It's in serious need of shading, as opposed to solid black/white.
Well, I wanted to make it as simple as possible, so it's not just black and white, its a 2-color palate.

Quote
EDIT: It'd need to scale to 12x12 to be used also, can it go that low?

[St.]
It does not, at least not smooth(ish)ly, as you need 2 pixels for each horizontal/vertical line, and 6 pixels for each large box. That's a total of 2+2+2+6+6=18 pixels.

You *could* shrink the outside lines to 1 pixel each, and make the larger boxes the size of the small upper-right box (shrinking the upper right box accordingly):
(http://planetretcon.com/img/rb-blocky-12.png)

And for fun, here's it with some fuzziness. I am not an artist (in spite of my tag. I am more of a theme-writer than anything else) so am not sure if this is what you were thinking:
(http://planetretcon.com/img/rb-blocky-12-fuzzy.png)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: bluebrother on March 31, 2011, 02:37:30 PM
There's only one thing I think is a candidate for a new logo: the one currently used as icon in various places
(http://svn.rockbox.org/viewvc.cgi/trunk/android/res/drawable-hdpi/icon.png?revision=29664)

This looks quite nice while still keeping the spirit of Rockbox.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Llorean on March 31, 2011, 04:11:57 PM
I'd definitely prefer something symbolic rather than something composed of the letters.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: [Saint] on March 31, 2011, 08:33:14 PM
There's only one thing I think is a candidate for a new logo: (http://svn.rockbox.org/viewvc.cgi/trunk/android/res/drawable-hdpi/icon.png?revision=29664)

[St.] nods...

I'm using the Rockbox clef logo in my 24px iconset for RaaA, and it looks quite nice.
The original version I used for the 24px iconset (I think it's still on the tracker...) used the square "Rb" logo that I really like:
(http://svn.rockbox.org/viewvc.cgi/trunk/rbutil/rbutilqt/icons/rockbox-5.png?revision=29664)
It scales really well too.

I *prefer* the "Rb" logo personally as I think it fits in better with the boot splash, forum/theme site/wiki logo(s) etc.

But I believe the "Rockbox Clef" is the more /traditional/ choice.


[St.]
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: JdGordon on March 31, 2011, 09:13:03 PM
You mean like this?

(http://i52.tinypic.com/24xjed4.jpg)

it's actualy not a bad idea- very simple and easy to recognize.

what on earth? I'm going to go ahead and agree with bluebrother and [St.] on this one... we have a logo and it would need to be something amazing for us to think it is time to replace it!
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: AlexP on April 02, 2011, 05:47:19 AM
To be honest, I think:

(http://planetretcon.com/img/rb-blocky.png)

looks pretty terrible whatever you do to it.  I'm not a fan of the MS Paint look :)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: Llorean on April 02, 2011, 06:16:41 AM
I believe that logo was only being discussed in the context of targets like the Clip, low resolution and Mono. It's just scaled up for better visibility. Everythings going to have the "MS Paint" look under those circumstances.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: bluebrother on April 02, 2011, 06:31:33 AM
I'm using the Rockbox clef logo in my 24px iconset for RaaA, and it looks quite nice.
The original version I used for the 24px iconset (I think it's still on the tracker...) used the square "Rb" logo that I really like:
(http://svn.rockbox.org/viewvc.cgi/trunk/rbutil/rbutilqt/icons/rockbox-5.png?revision=29664)
It scales really well too.

Unfortunately it doesn't scale down very well -- if used as window icon (with the usual size of 16x16px) it's not really recognizable anymore. Which is (at least according to my understanding) the initial reason for the clef logo variant. The "Rb" variant is used as larger icon for Rockbox Utility on systems that allow specifying different icons for different sizes (Windows, OS X) but I wouldn't mind switching to the clef logo for all sizes instead. Same goes for other places were a rectangular icon does make sense. The clef logo just looks "cleaner" in the icon case.

We could even add the clef as icon to the executables for other Rockbox tools (like ipodpatcher, sansapatcher etc) on Windows so it shows it after downloading the binaries. Not that it's useful ... :)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: AlexP on April 02, 2011, 07:07:29 AM
I believe that logo was only being discussed in the context of targets like the Clip, low resolution and Mono. It's just scaled up for better visibility. Everythings going to have the "MS Paint" look under those circumstances.

OK, yes.  I'd have to see it on an actual display to tell in that case.
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: froggyman on April 18, 2011, 08:00:52 PM
I'd like to propose that we spell out the new logo with llamas, because they truly make everything better.


(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12095030/rockbox.jpg)
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: ZincAlloy on April 19, 2011, 12:48:38 PM
 :o
Title: Re: Rockbox Logo...
Post by: evilnick on April 19, 2011, 12:54:59 PM
If only http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Minter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Minter) had founded Rockbox in the first place.