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Decades old Plano logo put on notice
Image courtesy of the city of Plano: The Plano City Council is considering changing the official city logo. The old logo is pictured on the left, while the proposed logo is pictured on the right.
By Bill Conrad, bconrad@starlocalnews.com, @Bill_PlanoStar on Twitter
What seemed like a simple discussion on the city of Plano's "P" logo turned into a lengthy City Council debate Wednesday night.
By the time the debate had concluded, the relative strength and friendliness of various colors and fonts had been discussed, but no decision was made as to the future of the iconic red-and-blue logo. The council was split on whether to change the logo or whether it was even something the council should be spending their time considering.
"I think of the 100 most important things I have to do in the next nine months as a council member, changing the logo is not on my radar," said Councilman Pat Gallagher. "... I like the old logo and have lived here 20-plus years and have liked it every day. I am going to rain on the parade a little bit; I know it is a fresher look, but it is not for me."
"I think it updates our current 'P,' which we all love and is hard to walk away from," she said. "I think it really carries us toward the future."
Mary Vail-Grube, Plano marketing and community engagement director, said her staff has been studying the logo for nearly a year. She said there was not support for doing away with the old logo altogether, so the decision was made to simply modify it by changing the shade of blue in the logo, and adding a few more graphic elements. The addition of a tagline -- "people connect here" -- was also added to the logo.
Graphic designer John Evans said he has thought about redesigning the logo for years and was happy to put his ideas down on paper. He said the current logo uses a dated font, and that the "P" is too unbalanced. He also said the colors should be richer and stronger, suggesting they be changed to resemble the colors of the U.S. and Texas flags.
"The new logo features a star in motion, reflecting Plano's dynamic community and quest for excellence," Evans said. "It is now better balanced with a stronger foundation ... the new colors are bolder and stronger. Even with these subtle changes, at first glances it still looks like the city of Plano logo we are all comfortable with."
Even with Evans, Vail-Grube and City Manager Bruce Glasscock attempting to sell the eight-member council on the need for the new logo and tagline to appropriately convey the city's message, the council failed to reach a consensus. Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Ben Harris joked that the current logo is dated but would become retro and hip in a few more years, while Councilman Pat Miner said he has always been waiting for the current logo to tip over since it is unbalanced.
The issue will be brought back before the council at its March 25 meeting, at which time a vote may be held. If a new logo is approved, Glasscock said its implementation would be cost effective since it would be phased in over time as part of routine painting and maintenance.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
Champansky wrote on Mar 12, 2013 2:31 PM:
" Perhaps it is time to update the logo but the new version is hardly compelling. Using 2 different fonts then italicising one for a total of 3 is dissodent. Plus the motto seems to be an ambicious attempt to be 'friendly' but really doesn't convey a message. Seems like a task for professional design rather than for a council debate. "
randall103 wrote on Mar 12, 2013 3:57 PM:
" Didn't like the old one. Really don't like the proposed one. It looks like something a 12 year old created in MS Paint.
'People Connect Here'
I guess that is suppose to be cool and hip.
Sounds like something some drunk redneck came up with during a binger. "
'People Connect Here'
I guess that is suppose to be cool and hip.
Sounds like something some drunk redneck came up with during a binger. "
Waxing Gibby wrote on Mar 12, 2013 4:46 PM:
" Of the two options presented here, I prefer the original art. The obesity of the new logo's base was the first thing that seemed off... or maybe it was simply that there was no longer a clean edge along the star's lower-left side? In my years in Plano, seeing that logo daily, I always admired the simplicity of those clean edges creating that negative-space star. Then something didn't sit right with the two blue points ending right next to each other in the arm of the star that's running down the left side... maybe if the lower blue point was shortened? The next thing which caught my attention was the curve of the furthest-right edge, which now seems overly fattened as well.
As for the current logo "tipping over because it's unbalanced", either "P" would fall over if it were an actual object, yet considering the path in which my eyes flow over the original design (starting at the base of the "P", up and clockwise around the top), it actually feels MORE balanced, because the flow continues through with the word "plano", as it's a continuation (color-wise, and on the same baseline) of the blue top of the "P".
In regards to the original font being "dated", it still seems refreshing to me compared to the triteness of the suggested update. Look only a couple of inches above the logo photo, and the title bar of this newspaper has the same word, "Plano", written in practically the same style... similar fonts are seemingly EVERYWHERE.
As inferred above, I no longer live in Plano, but maybe I should move back? The slogan "People Connect Here" DOES make it sound like a nice place to find a date! ;) "
As for the current logo "tipping over because it's unbalanced", either "P" would fall over if it were an actual object, yet considering the path in which my eyes flow over the original design (starting at the base of the "P", up and clockwise around the top), it actually feels MORE balanced, because the flow continues through with the word "plano", as it's a continuation (color-wise, and on the same baseline) of the blue top of the "P".
In regards to the original font being "dated", it still seems refreshing to me compared to the triteness of the suggested update. Look only a couple of inches above the logo photo, and the title bar of this newspaper has the same word, "Plano", written in practically the same style... similar fonts are seemingly EVERYWHERE.
As inferred above, I no longer live in Plano, but maybe I should move back? The slogan "People Connect Here" DOES make it sound like a nice place to find a date! ;) "
Ciesco wrote on Mar 14, 2013 7:23 AM:
" I find it very hard to believe that of "all the issues" these guys could be working on, we're spending this time on a logo!?! Not to mention the money it has cost to argue about this, imagine what it will cost to make this change!
It's ironic that we even fuel this pander when, I imagine, we all could come up with a list of items that are way more important.
Rather than facing issues that matter let's argue about something very low on the priority list. Some would call this typical "
It's ironic that we even fuel this pander when, I imagine, we all could come up with a list of items that are way more important.
Rather than facing issues that matter let's argue about something very low on the priority list. Some would call this typical "
Jack wrote on Mar 15, 2013 11:03 AM:
" This is another clear example of waste by our local gov't. "It's a little out dated" is hardly a viable excuse to go off wasting taxpayer money. Before you know it, they'll be using the same excuse on one year old buildings, fire department bldgs, schools,......etc.
Who in the heck is allowing this boon-doogle to even take place. Seems to me we have people with no real job. "
Who in the heck is allowing this boon-doogle to even take place. Seems to me we have people with no real job. "
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