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Nsio — How Nsio would fix the new deviantART logo

#deviant #deviantart #fixing #logo #update #art
Published: 2014-12-05 18:42:48 +0000 UTC; Views: 67978; Favourites: 1108; Downloads: 444
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Description I know nothing can stay unchanged to the eternity, but it doesn't mean that we should just accept everything that's brought in front of us. DeviantART is quite a spectacular example of this, but rather than bashing their actions, I wanted to explain myself why I don't like the new dA logo. I'm already in terms with it, but I'm still uneasy with it. Here is my analyze why the logo doesn't work and also an example how it could be fixed. Feel free to call me just typical whiner, but before doing so I kindly ask you to read my arguments

Similar alterations:



Analysis of the situation etc.
To close, what happens now?Art By yuumei
The logo has been brought up to the staff & also the fact that it's similar to Platzkart will most likely be addressed.  It obviously wasn't stolen,  but still. If they wanted to try & sue us, lets be real. Lol, it wouldn't be good. We brought it to their attention. & they know about it. Whatever happens from here on? Well it's up to the staff to figure it out. 
The balance between staff & the members of this site, has been restored. (or at least more close to being equal)
Overall? I think it all went well. 
I'll be honest. 
Some of the staff like Ikue, (not a bad dude) even saw this as "rebelling". But I disagree. We're not supposed to just sit here & just agree with every single decision that's made. Like Drones. But, you SHOULD speak up.  
Most of the people in this community here were afraid to speak on what they feel & know to be truth.

(If I had premium, I could have linked thumbnails, but these will do for now)

"New DeviantART logo - Why it doesn't work and how to fix it" by Nsio

I’m sure people have already noticed the new dA logo. At first I had no idea what I was seeing. Then I figured “of course, it’s an A letter”. Shortly after I also realized there was an upside down A as well. “This one must form some sort of pattern” I thought. I wasn’t very happy about the design though so I went and read the “Our Story” section.

The logo was indeed designed for tesselation. Okay fine, so we have an “A” letter, standing for Art. It’s also upside down. “Challenges perceptions and perspectives”, “by  literally turning the art world upside down”. Okay, I can deal with that. But still, I’m not convinced. Something is missing with the new logo. “We love it because, like DA, people might not get it right away”. I find it weird that dA actually wants to make us confused. If you ask me, art should offer the sensation of realization, not confusion. Or if there is initially confusion, it should still offer some way to turn the confusion “upside down” into sensation of realization. Even though I got the message, I’m still confused. I don’t like the new logo but why?

I understood the reason right the moment I saw the youtube video about the story behind the logo. At one point, there was a logo where it says “dA”. The moment the logo is separated, the problem occurs. DeviantART becomes just ART. It’s not the DeviantART we know anymore. It’s just ART with cool tesselation effect.

I thought I would let it go, since I now know that the logo can be thought as if it reads “dA”. But it was still bugging me. Although I can force myself to think it like “dA”, I still see only “A”. I pondered this for a while and then I realized the issue: amodal completion.

Although we are intelligent beings, our brains are rather simple when it comes to visual perception. Our brains have an ability called “amodal completion”, which allows us to “see” the form of partially hidden objects. That’s why we can tell a person peeking behind the corner is a human, even though we see only half of the face. Our brains can construct human figure fairly well even if it’s partially covered, but with everything else,  brains just lack the imagination.

If important details of an object is hidden, our brains can’t construct such complex or abstract things. Instead, the brains just rely on the visual cues to parse the image. A lot of data is lost and the image is greatly simplified. I drew few examples about the phenomenon on the left. For example, if there are arcing details, but no visual cues are offered about it, arcs are discarded in favor of continuity of the lines.

This happens even if you knew there were such details. Instead of seeing one complex object, you see only two lines. On second row I show the arcs. However, our brains are more likely to treat the partially hidden object as two separate objects. This behaviour is exaggerated because of the symmetry, since humans are naturally attracted to symmetry.

So basically this is what happens with the dA logo. Even if we know the logo can be thought to be partially covered “dA” logo, our brains fails to comprehend this because the “d” is discarded in favor of “A”. There are not enough visual cues to support this way of thought process, which leaves us just confused and unsure about the logo. It’s cool, but it doesn’t have any bonding with DeviantART.

However, I find that the new logo could still work, if there just were such visual cues present. In fact, the actual logo could be kept intact by just adding shadow images of the d and A. I made a quick test if this could work and I found that it looks pretty cool now. By using dark green for the shadow image, the visual cues are strong enough to make the dA logo visible while still allowing the real logo to stand out clearly. All the benefits of the new logo are retained,  no confusion taking place and the bonding with DeviantART has been formed.

If this change was made, I would gladly accept the new logo. Right now the logo doesn’t feel justified. I’m not saying that my proposal is perfect, but it’s one way to fix the issue. Even if there is huge difference in artistic capabilities between dA members, our physiology is the same. We are humans and we function in a way that’s typical to humans, no matter how much we try control ourselves. I believe that even if people don’t agree with the proposed fixing, they at least acknowledge the need of fixing in one way or another.  

Nsio
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Comments: 404

MoonlightCorvus In reply to ??? [2014-12-06 00:41:20 +0000 UTC]

YES YES YUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! NOW THIS IS WHAT I CALL A LOGO!

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klock09 In reply to ??? [2014-12-06 00:32:23 +0000 UTC]

Thank you Nsio. 

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NeonBoneyard In reply to ??? [2014-12-06 00:30:28 +0000 UTC]

This makes so much more sense. Your version actually looks good and makes me happy. This looks like a lot of work, but thanks so much for sharing! dA should really consider your version instead; you even have proof for why the current logo is a failure.

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LMTYL In reply to ??? [2014-12-06 00:15:44 +0000 UTC]

It looks like ≠ to me...

But all the buildup of "through the Rabbit Hole!" and not actually providing readily apparent explanations just made me that flavor of "how dare you confuse me" grumpy.

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zephro-electro In reply to ??? [2014-12-06 00:13:20 +0000 UTC]

You got this spot on. I honestly saw the new dA logo and thought it was some bad attempt at introducing a new symbol with the same symbolic intentions as hashtags on Twitter. After that, I realized it was just a cropped version of"dA", and this honestly lead me to believe they had screwed up the page CSS on a sprite sheet or something. Your solution makes much more sense!

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xox1melly1xox In reply to ??? [2014-12-06 00:12:16 +0000 UTC]

Ooooh.... So that's what the logo was supposed to be....


(I didn't know what it was supposed to be until I saw this explanation just now)

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TetrisZ In reply to ??? [2014-12-06 00:11:17 +0000 UTC]

I agree! I just sat and looked at the new logo for a while and couldn't make heads or tails of it. I even forgot what the old logo looked like for a short bit but it came back lol. The extra shadow on the logo looks a lot better and your explanation on why sounds spot on. Well done!

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100LittleDreams In reply to ??? [2014-12-06 00:11:11 +0000 UTC]

The new logo is confusing. I thought google chrome was messing with me.

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Stevan29 In reply to ??? [2014-12-06 00:07:55 +0000 UTC]

Well thought out and well written analysis. I agree with you.
My initial feeling was that the 'Our Story' thing sounded too much like something a PR / marketing company would make.
Which as I read further was indeed the case.

I can understand the sort of thought process that went into designing the logo, but it just seems to miss the point of a logo.
It's supposed to be a very quick simplified representation of a company / organisation, which anybody can understand almost immediately. As soon as you have to explain it, you've failed.

I'm sure I'll get used to it / ignore it eventually, but for now it rubs the wrong way.

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reverielly In reply to ??? [2014-12-06 00:04:57 +0000 UTC]

the shadows sounds and looks like a great idea,but doesn't that throw out their original intentions?

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DiardanRose In reply to ??? [2014-12-05 23:53:49 +0000 UTC]

I've seen several representations of the logo since it premiered, and lots of people have made the connection that it's supposed to read as dA, which is all fine and great. But even knowing this, no matter how hard I try, I cannot automatically see the d. The A comes in just fine (largely, I will say, because I know this site, so of course A for Art) but there's nothing natural about how the d is cut off that makes me realize what it is.

I think adding the shadow to the logo would help a lot. I personally would still prefer the old logo, but at least then it would be clear what it's supposed to be representing. Not a Z, not a $, not a dozen other things that people have interpreted it as that has nothing at all to do with the community on this website. If you posted this logo on twitter or something, no one would have the slightest idea what it was referring to. I have a problem with that, because I think the idea is to encourage our community to grow. Personally, this logo doesn't do that because it slips past mildly ambiguous to completely confusing, and, as you've explained, trying to force the brain to see things that it doesn't automatically, for the most part.

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RB-Illustration In reply to ??? [2014-12-05 23:52:39 +0000 UTC]

That looks so much better! I just couldn't see the letter 'D' in the new logo - I could only see the 'A' at a push. This is a great solution.

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Eternityspool [2014-12-05 23:51:59 +0000 UTC]

This.

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CelesOran In reply to ??? [2014-12-05 23:51:53 +0000 UTC]

COME ON the whole "we love it because people might not get it right away" just screams unprofessional.. the only thing people are going to think when they see this is negative stuff nothing positive and they might even question the site as well because of it.... a logo should not do that and it shouldn't make you have to think about ANYTHING, that is NOT the point of a logo. A logo identifies, nothing more.   I don't think they thought this through every well....
 
I prefer what you did and I think they should do it..  it does what a logo should do Identify.. it is clean, simple, modern and to the point.

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tdpubs In reply to ??? [2014-12-05 23:44:48 +0000 UTC]

Having just seen the logo today I totally agree with your premise. The exploration of the symbols makes perfect sense and your solution works for me. Cheers.

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Oliver--Fey In reply to ??? [2014-12-05 23:35:42 +0000 UTC]

oh for fuck sake people just role with the new logo. Change is your friend

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Chaoni In reply to Oliver--Fey [2014-12-06 00:09:37 +0000 UTC]

Yes, because asking for more change is rejecting it.

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Vertigheist In reply to Oliver--Fey [2014-12-06 00:04:15 +0000 UTC]

I wouldn't mind change if it didn't look wrong.

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Ivol-Robot In reply to ??? [2014-12-05 23:29:08 +0000 UTC]

The new logo is completely unclear and incomprehensible. Your dA logo obviously helps.

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CavyMomma In reply to ??? [2014-12-05 23:28:06 +0000 UTC]

I like your dA one. THAT would have made more sense then the one we have now.

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RandomGreenButton In reply to ??? [2014-12-05 23:22:31 +0000 UTC]

I personally love the colours and layout of the page. But like everyone from what it seems, I don't understand the new logo design. It's like they want to look more "modern" and forget the idea of what a logo stands for. A simple design change like what you've just done fixes everything ... and keeps their pattern, so it's a win win situation here.

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agmassassin In reply to ??? [2014-12-05 23:12:49 +0000 UTC]

Lets hope they touch it up and make it easier to understand....
i had a hard time figuring out if it was a row of A and flipped A's or a dA

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Knightmoon In reply to ??? [2014-12-05 23:08:40 +0000 UTC]

Your modified version just feels more right, and I think your explanation is excellent. 

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Skotti71 In reply to ??? [2014-12-05 23:07:59 +0000 UTC]

I agree Niso and I like where you went with keeping its simplicity but making it easy for the rest of the world to understand (Those who don't think in conceptual)

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MrsRemi In reply to ??? [2014-12-05 23:00:42 +0000 UTC]

yes please ouo; I'm keep getting confused by looking at the new logo, but your suggestion would fix that 

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GundamMeister In reply to ??? [2014-12-05 22:57:07 +0000 UTC]

I think the logo could have gone in an entirely different direction, personally, but I agree with your fixes.

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VelkynKarma In reply to ??? [2014-12-05 22:53:29 +0000 UTC]

Very nice explanation you have here. I'm like you, when I saw the logo I had no idea it was supposed to be a partially covered dA. I saw a line. Or maybe a wonky X on its side or something. Or if I squinted, the A and upside down A you mentioned. Artoholics Anonymous maybe?

And I agree with you as well that for your logo--which is your visual selling point that needs to catch a person's eye in an enormously short amount of time or risk failing at its job--you do not want your viewers confused. If you want to stress that you're 'turning art upside down' or looking at things differently, that's great, but better to do it in the bulk of the overall website design itself and not in your immediate visual selling points.

I love that you also talked about amodal completion, because the human brain is a crazy thing and this gets into explaining why, instead of just 'some people just aren't seeing it.'

~VelkynKarma

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Koceta In reply to ??? [2014-12-05 22:53:02 +0000 UTC]

thisthisthis.

If they don't take your suggestion (and they probably won't, sadly) I hope someone makes a script for the stylish extension that does exactly this.

Edit: Also, your quote "art should  offer a sense of realization, not confussion". You put into words what I could only feel about their "our story" explanation. 

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Nsio In reply to Koceta [2014-12-05 23:36:51 +0000 UTC]

Yeah, I would definitely use a script that does that

I'm trying to think simple: what I want to see. I want clear messages, not confusion.

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ReginaldTheGolden In reply to ??? [2014-12-05 22:51:00 +0000 UTC]

Very good argument.  The new logo confused me until now; then again, I did not put as much thought into it as you did.

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aNIGHTLYpony [2014-12-05 22:36:58 +0000 UTC]

My point exactly, brilliantly written!

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ElreniaGreenleaf In reply to ??? [2014-12-05 22:33:24 +0000 UTC]

This would be a hell of a lot better than what we've just been given, thank you !

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LyhliTheLuminescent In reply to ??? [2014-12-05 22:31:48 +0000 UTC]

Well said. I was in favor of the new logo because it was neat looking, but you really bring out points other whiners would rather just gripe about. I feel that it can be perfected, too, so I hope, after reading this well-constructed post, the dA staff can come to seeing this, too. 

I must applaud you for going out and researching it on your own and presenting conclusions, rather than joining the mass of whiners on dA. 

After reading this, it seems that sometimes a major change is worse than if it stayed the same. Everyone knew what the "dA" logo was, no matter how subtle its changes were--now alienating the familiarity that the community knew certainly does leave us in confusion--the opposite of bringing us closer together.

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Nsio In reply to LyhliTheLuminescent [2014-12-05 23:34:35 +0000 UTC]

Thank you. I always want to give a chance for new things that are thrown in front of me, but I'm not quick to accept every single thing without proper analysis. I do have personal opinions, but I also want to explore the other reasons for not liking something. This dA logo was such a case. Changing things that already work is very risky, as the new concepts likely contradict the thoughts of people using the service. Such changes leave very deep scars, so deep that people refuse to accept the change even if it was beneficial.

It's also good to note that these people are (hopefully) paid for what they do. When it comes to selling, one just needs to sell the idea, even if doesn't work. Now of course I can't tell for sure if these people are saying sweet things about the site updates just for the money, but sometimes it feels like that. Even if we see a lot of effort on something, it doesn't mean that it's worth anything. DA can't justify bad logo design just by saying "We love it because, like DA, people might not get it right away". In fact, it sounds like they acknowledge the issue, but try to make it sound favorable to them.

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AshlingRainStrom In reply to ??? [2014-12-05 22:19:26 +0000 UTC]

Even after reading their 'our story' bit I couldn't really see the upside down, partially covered up, I don't know what, A and I couldn't see the d. The logo looked more like an off kilter runic symbol to me. I've been fine with all of their other changes, admittedly I've liked some more than others, but this one just didn't make sense. I really like your shadow solution; when I saw it I finally got what the new logo was supposed to mean. At the very least, thank you for explaining it in a way I could understand.

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Nsio In reply to AshlingRainStrom [2014-12-05 23:13:45 +0000 UTC]

You're most welcome. The new logo truly requires some conceptual way of thinking. In fact, it's pretty good visual test and a lesson for aspiring artists, but as a logo, it doesn't quite do its job.

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Minzzway In reply to ??? [2014-12-05 22:02:24 +0000 UTC]

Not bad. Your addition only adds positives to an already cool logo.
I think it'd be cool if the darkened areas start glowing green on mouse over as well.

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Remilyah In reply to ??? [2014-12-05 21:58:46 +0000 UTC]

That's how I like it absolutely better - excellent work!

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Abakuu In reply to ??? [2014-12-05 21:58:32 +0000 UTC]

Yeah the new logo is just bad design.

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Kitsune-no-Suzu In reply to ??? [2014-12-05 21:42:52 +0000 UTC]

I agree 100%
I'm not opposed to change, but I don't like the new logo at all. I didn't get it at all until reading the journal. Before it just looked like a skewered Z to me XP a Z-kabob xD

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Nsio In reply to Kitsune-no-Suzu [2014-12-05 23:12:06 +0000 UTC]

Indeed. Not everyone can figure out the "A" or its tesselation, not to mention whole "dA". I believe that "Z", "not-equal-to" or "%" are the most likely interpretations of the new logo. It truly challenges the perceptions and perspectives, but sadly people usually can't change the first impression they get and think past of what's actually shown.

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Oldsoul-Mira In reply to ??? [2014-12-05 21:28:00 +0000 UTC]

I like your way with the visual cues way better than how it is now

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WhiteoutK [2014-12-05 21:26:52 +0000 UTC]

I totally agree with you!
The little shadows behind the new logo could even only appear when you pass your mouse over it!

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JonUndone In reply to WhiteoutK [2014-12-06 11:08:27 +0000 UTC]

That's actually pretty clever!

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ChillValley In reply to WhiteoutK [2014-12-05 21:59:10 +0000 UTC]

Good one. Haven't thought about that detail before.

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omenaapple In reply to WhiteoutK [2014-12-05 21:52:02 +0000 UTC]

that's a really cool idea! ' o'

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Dylan-Fly In reply to ??? [2014-12-05 21:26:35 +0000 UTC]

yeah, they should hired you in for this logo job

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Brother-Tico [2014-12-05 21:20:50 +0000 UTC]

Nsio, I couldn't say better than this

And true: the new logo is very confusing.

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KissSh0t In reply to ??? [2014-12-05 21:17:55 +0000 UTC]

To be honest I don't remember what the old icon looks like.. hahaha..

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ERA-7 In reply to ??? [2014-12-05 21:09:56 +0000 UTC]

I support your version too

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