Extra Credit: Changes for MSN

MSN has recently changed both its logo and the entire layout of its website.

The new logo still plays on the idea of the butterfly, but in a more abstract form. The body of the butterfly is missing, but they expect you to make out the shape of the butterfly by the four wings. I was able to recognize that the new logo was still a butterfly because it has been the MSN logo for a long time. However, I don’t think it would have been as easily recognizable to someone not aware of the original MSN logo. They kept the original colors, although in slightly different shades, which I thought was a good call because those colors are also very representative of MSN. The typeface of “MSN” changed as well, into a thinner, more modern typeface. Although I liked the old typeface for the old logo, I think the new typeface matches the new logo well. The new logo is also very modern and abstract, similar to the feel of the new typeface. I like the old MSN logo a lot better, but I think the new one used wise combinations of typeface and design to make it work.

The new layout of the website is definitely an improvement. The old layout was cluttered and bombarded the reader with too much – and sometimes unnecessary – information. The new layout is a lot cleaner, and although the white background can look plain, there is a nice balance and play with colors with the headings. There is less information on the page, which makes it seem more inviting than the old layout. It is not completely different from the old layout, and MSN decided to keep parts of the layout the same (such as the placement of the advertisement), which tells the audience that they have not changed completely – they are still what they once were, but better and more improved.

Overall, I do not think the new MSN logo was a necessary move because there was nothing wrong with the old logo. However, the decision to change the layout of the website was definitely smart.

Logo Project

Visual Message

My logo is a green butterfly with the body of a calligraphy pen. Although I am a public relations major, I do not know what specific field I would like to work in. I can promise, however, good quality work and the ability to quickly adapt to environments. Therefore, the butterfly represents the potential I have to transform into a valued and appreciated professional, no matter what field I work in – similar to how a butterfly develops from a cocoon. In addition, I wanted to express that I like to write and consider writing to be one of my strengths. Therefore, instead of using a real butterfly body, I drew the calligraphy pen to represent that skill, which is especially valued in the public relations field.

Audience

This stationery set and business card is designed for employers at a public relations agency.

Design Strategy

I wanted to make sure that people would recognize the calligraphy pen in place of the butterfly’s body. Therefore, I tried to make it seem as though the butterfly’s wings and antennas were hand-drawn. The butterfly is generally regarded as peaceful and calm, and I wanted to depict these characteristics in my logo. I chose Palatino for most of my font choices because it was clean and simple, which I thought was a good portrayal of another set of my own characteristics. I used the font Constantia for the stationery name because, in its bold italics, it looks somewhat handwritten, which helps to tie in the calligraphy pen once again. I wanted to keep a consistent design throughout my stationery set so I tried to apply the striped and boxed patterns in most of my pieces. 

Style Sheet

Stationery Name: Constantia Bold Italic; 24/28.8; metrics kerning; tracking: 0

Stationery Contact Information: Palatino Regular; 10/12; metrics kerning; tracking: 0

Business Card Name: Palatino Bold; 10/12; metrics kerning; tracking: 0

Business Card Contact Information: Palatino Bold; 8/9.6; metrics kerning; tracking: 0

Envelope Name: Palatino Bold; 10/12; metrics kerning; tracking: 0

Envelope Contact Information: Palatino Bold; 8/9.6; metrics kerning; tracking: 0

Extras: Color

My logo is colored in two different shades of green. I did this in order to show that I care for the environment and that “going green” is important to me. This “going green” concept is very widely used these days and may now even be considered cliché, but I thought that gave me even more of a reason to emphasize it. If I happen to work at a “green” agency, it will show employers that my standards meet theirs. I also used a tinted shade of purple in the background and design of my stationery set and business card because I thought it complemented the greens well.