Script Lettering logos
I found a really compelling site that is essentially a gallery of chrome logos – mostly, but not all from vehicles – chromeography. Here’s a few samples:
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
Dodge Panel van
GMC Custom Camper
This next one’s from eBay, not chromeography – this is the fender emblem from a mid-to-late 70’s Plymouth Fury – I used to have one of these tacked to my leather jacket back when I was a troubled youth.
1975-78 Plymouth Fury Emblem
The thing I like about this style of logo is that it reminds me of ye olden tymes before computers and graphics software, when everyone that went to design school learned hand lettering. Film title screens, posters, print ad headers, logos – you name it – were all done by hand. Nowadays the only time most designers learn the technical aspects of hand lettering is if they get into calligraphy or drafting.
There are, of course, a lot more hand-drawn typography pieces out in recent times given the (relatively) recent trend towards the hand-drawn look, like the kind of work you see on typeveverything or typophile gangsta. I find it charming, but often intentionally anachronistic as the point is to create an “artisanal” effect, probably a response to the hyper-slickness of most corporate branding (I’m looking at you, Apple).
As I’ve mentioned before, I enjoy calligraphy and lettering, so here’s my stab at it working in this style with a bit of an updated approach so as not to look too pseudo-vintage-y :
Ian Rogers – Grey not Grey revisited
No, I’m not rebranding, just enjoying myself. I don’t think I quite nailed the automotive aspect, it’s bit too fun and pretty – but I bet it would look swell in chrome.
UPDATE: I found another great collection here via LogoDesignLove. A couple of samples:
I’m a big fan of the various versions of the Oldsmobile Rocket 88 logos as well.
http://www.cartype.com/pics/3575/full/88_olds_rocket_emblem_2_s.jpg
http://goo.gl/tsP56
Oddly that first link gave me a “403 forbidden” error the first time I hit it, but it worked fine on the second try. Also, I used google url shortener on the 2nd as it was blowing out my comment cell.
That aside, those are pretty nifty, there’s some charmingly retro-futuristic stuff going on there. Cartype is a great site, thanks for the link! In the same vein as your Olds Rocket emblems, I’m fond of the V8 emblem on the ’55 Pontiac Star Chief convertible about 3/4 of the way down this page: http://www.cartype.com/pages/2741/v_emblems