The events of September 11, 2001 are widely regarded as one of the greatest tragedies in U.S. history, at least in recent memory. So how does one immortalize everything surrounding that event with a logo? The National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center enlisted the help of designer Landor, in New York, to create a new identity for the museum, set to open in 2011, that would portray not only remembrance for the victims but also the strength and rebuilding that the nation has shown. The new design is as follows:
http://www.underconsideration.com/brandnew/archives/memorial_period.php
The new design is very simple, some might say too simple. I think it highly effective however. Personally, I think something like this needs to be treated with as much solemnity as possible without being depressing and negative. This logo does exactly that. The simplicity of the new logo compared to the old one, below, has a rawness to it that speaks much more than a multi directional and complicated logo would. The change in color for the 11 is also a very nice touch showing remembrance in representing the towers but also a look forward as they are almost faded in comparison to the black lettering. The new logo was adopted in place of this:
http://www.underconsideration.com/brandnew/archives/a_new_voice_for_the_world_trad.php
The old logo was by no means a bad one, just not the right one. Listing the full name of the museum and tilting the graphic in an artistic way gives it the feel of a company logo. In a way, I realize that it is a company logo for the museum but the museum is a memorial and not a business which is why I don't think the old logo fit as well.
It is difficult trying to encapsulate so many ideas and emotions with a single logo, especially in the instance of a national disaster. The new logo for the "9/11 Memorial" does about as good of a job as it can considering the circumstances and I think it well thought out and effective.
Current event and graphics were obtained from Brand New: Opinions on Corporate and Brand Identity Work.
