Revamped logo fails to quieten critics
THE latest corporate logo for Cornwall has once again been
slammed by critics after the unveiling of the final draft of
the much derided emblem which will represent the county.
The flame-like design – which will cost £65,000 to implement
but has been condemned as looking like "the emblem of a cattle
breed society from somewhere in the Balkans" – has been adapted
to be more reminiscent of St Piran's flag, designers say.
But critics say the money would be better spent on public
services and have dismissed the latest adaptations as "window
dressing".
The new logo will replace the current county crest when the
unitary authority takes over from the county council and
district councils next year.
Graeme Hicks, leader of Kerrier District Council, who sits
on the implementation executive responsible for the transition
to the unitary authority, said: "Frankly it's bizarre. This is
no better than the last one – it's just window dressing."
"People want something that represents Cornwall's cultural
identity. There is a passion in Cornwall that the people making
these decisions don't understand."
The current county crest featuring a fisherman, miner and a
chough will be ditched next April in favour of the new
logo.
Mr Hicks said: "The whole issue is being run by a bungling
load of incompetents.
"We had a good logo that represented Cornwall well. These
people don't want the county crest because they are saying it's
a new council but really it's a county council takeover."
On the streets of Truro yesterday, the people of Cornwall
remained unimpressed with the adaptations made to the
design.
Sheila Pascoe, from Truro, said: "It's like moving the
deckchairs on the Titanic. That doesn't look like the cross of
St Piran to me. What was wrong with the old one?
"If you ask me it's a waste of money that could be far
better spent elsewhere."
David Tonkin, from Truro, said: "I can't see any difference
in this latest design. What's the matter with the miner and the
fisherman? There has to be more important things to spend money
on than a logo."
Writing on the comment and discussion website
www.Cornwall24.co.uk Bardh said: "Looks to me like the emblem
of a cattle breed society from somewhere in the Balkans. Is
somebody trying to tell us something?"
It was initially feared that adopting the new logo on all
council property could cost £500,000 but the implementation
executive decided only to go ahead with changes to main council
sites used by the public, customer service staff and library
vans, costing £65,000.
The new logo will be introduced elsewhere as and when
uniforms, badges and vehicles are replaced.
The logo was designed in-house and chosen from more than 30
entries and, according to the new authority, is intended to
represent a "dynamic new corporate identity".
Davinia Grist, spokesman for One Cornwall, said: "The
corporate identity that was originally presented was a draft
version. It was always the intention of the designers to do
further work on the design.
"The designers have tweaked the design to highlight the St
Piran's flag – it was part of the draft design, however it
wasn't clear."
Ms Grist said that in matters of design it was never
possible to please everybody and said she had received comments
such as: "The new unitary logo is very good, it's modern,
contemporary, a breath of fresh air, fit for Cornwall in the
21st century."
11 Comments
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by Sher Leetooze, Ontario Canada
Monday, September 15 2008, 7:49PM
“Leave the *&^%$#@ logo alone - there is nothing wrong with the old ancient logo of Cornwall. It represents Cornwall better than any other "devised" contraption could. I am a transplanted Cornishwoman and believe the existing symbols of Cornwall are all that are needed - ever!!!”
by Jeff, Florida, United States
Wednesday, August 20 2008, 11:35PM
“Well, I'm not going to comment on the design itself, but I will speak to what could have motivated part of the decision.
The original crest is incredibly detailed. It has a lot of fine line art and a full color palette.
The new design reduces the colors to two and has a more simplified aesthetic. From th point of view of a city government, this is good as it reduces th overall costs of using the logo in a variety of applications. The original design would be difficult to integrate into an embroidery for city uniforms, unless done as an expensive patch. The more complicated th design, the more likely there will be printing errors that will necessitate reprints.
The initial costs in a logo relaunch are huge, given that every existing logo has to be changed. But, if done properly, it should save money in the long-term.
As to whether this is a good decision for Cornwall, I'll leave that up to you.”
by Jake, Bodmin
Tuesday, August 19 2008, 8:55AM
“How many of the Unitary Council are actually Cornish ????, and why don't the Council listen to what the majority of Cornishfolk want... Leave the logo as it was. The true Cornish could empathise with the existing badge no matter which part of the county they come from.”
by TESS NASH, MAWGAN, NR HELSTON
Thursday, August 14 2008, 7:11AM
“We do not want the Unitary Authority.
We do not want the Newspaper.
We do not want the New Logo.
We do want the Lib-Dems out of power in the next elections. Noddy & Big Ears, North Cornwall
JUST ADD TESS NASH,MAWGAN, NR HELSTON to that statement.
THANK YOU.”
by jethro James, Camborne
Wednesday, August 13 2008, 6:08PM
“Is the last correspondent the same Bill Turner, Lib Dem, who has lost so many elections? Go for it Cllr Hicks - at least you have the guts to speak for the majority of Cornish people!!!!
Message was edited by: devoneditor”
by Yer Tiz, Kernow
Wednesday, August 13 2008, 5:40PM
“What people here are failing to understand is this new dynamic flowing brand will encompass a new invigorated and enriched multi cultural county. One which can look to the future with hope and optimism leaving behind the dying industries of a forgotten county. This will bring us all together like a family united as one patiently waiting for the gifts from broad sunlit uplands wher unemployment, poor social housing and house prices which even after the recent crash cannot be afforded will all be forgotten about.
So stop your moaning everyone this is money well spent I already have a glow in my heart. I think we should actually look at changing everything, St Pirans Flag, ban those awful Cornish pipers, stop the production of Cornish Tartan and forget this silly notion of being a unique Celtic enclave amidst Norman England. Its just cultural identity you will all forget about it soon. This great logo will go on to become one of the great easily recognised logos of the entire western world. I can hear those words now " Er dont know.........er.....Balkan cattle breeding society?" and then the laughter "HOW MUCH" and then "CORNWALL"??? "Didn't they have a logo, wasn't it representative of the County's history?"
Here's another fine mess they have gotten us into, who came up with the idea? who actually thought it was a good idea and what planet are they from??
It all smacks of Londoners who paid hundreds of thousands of pounds for some bright spark to come up with the name City Hall for City Hall. I must be in the wrong job!?!!?!!”
by Dr Mike Dove, Perran-ar-worthal
Wednesday, August 13 2008, 4:36PM
“Words fail me. It is obvious to most of us that the new Authority are determined to bring in a new logo. They are not giving a thought to the true interests of Cornwall and it's unique heritage and history. To those running our new Cornwall County I say please respect that heritage and retain the excellent crest that has served us so well for so long.”
by Flo, Truro
Wednesday, August 13 2008, 3:17PM
“What is wrong with the present coat of arms with the miner and fisherman and the chough all symbols of Cornwall!!!”
by Brin Jenkins, Truro
Wednesday, August 13 2008, 11:27AM
“Just leave it alone. Its not broke so why try to fix it?
Demand a refund and sack the idiot who commissioned this new fangled logo.”
by Noddy & Big Ears, North Cornwall
Wednesday, August 13 2008, 11:27AM
“We do not want the Unitary Authority.
We do not want the Newspaper.
We do not want the New Logo.
We do want the Lib-Dems out of power in the next elections.”