Melbourne Sports Museum Critiques

Port Adelaide 'Power' Team Logo

The Port Adelaide 'Power' Team Logo uses a number of design elements and principles to convey the idea of strength, power and indestructibility.
The elements of solid vertical black line across the logo give repetition and stability, the shape of the lightning bolt and fist also give the logo strength and as it is centred within the logo, this also communicates strength and power. The design has only one element of colour, teal, and the rest of the design is monochromatic or grayscale - using only black, white and grey. The teal give the design an element of interest and links to nature being a blue/green colour - the colour most evident in nature. This gives the logo an added sense of strength as nature is a force that is uncontrollable and incredibly powerful. Again this ties in with the shape of the lightening bolt - which is in a example of natures frightening strength.[Image Source: http://www.portadelaidefc.com.au/]

This design, I think, would be well suited to the Russian Constructivism movement. The period was well known for strong simple imagery and the symbol of the fist clenched in the air is well known in relation to the Russian Constructivism movement. If the teal in the logo was red, it would be perfectly fitting!

This also relates to the theme of the logo which is obviously power and strength. The motif of the fist clenched in the air symbolises this and is seen in design often. This cologne bottle design for Diesel uses the motif of the clenched fist and as seen here the name of the cologne is "Only the Brave" which appeals to men who are brave and courageous. [Image Source: http://www.nuochoa.asia/]

I think the Port Adelaide Power Logo is heavily referencing Greek Mythology. Zeus is often depicted clenching a bolt of lightning as he is the ruler of heaven and is seen as strong, wise and all knowing.
I think the logo in this case very clearly communicates the theme of strength and power. The fist and lightening bolt is a common motif seen in design and history that communicates this theme. [Image Source: http://www.scrapetv.com/]

2008 Beijing Olympics Torch Design

The Olympic Torch for the Beijing Olympic games in 2008 uses a number of design elements and principles to create a beautiful and striking design. The concept of the torch design is conveyed through the design and the implementation of the design.

Firstly, the colour red has a great impact and evokes a feeling of passion. Along with the silver background colour is gives the design a modern feel. The organic thick curving lines create a feeling of harmony within people and nature - and as the design is for the Beijing Olympics the design heavily references the Chinese culture of spirituality and harmony.

The logo design is symbolic of the phoenix which is represented by fire in the five elements, and as the phoenix dies and then is reborn from its ashes it represents the spirit of man striving for sucess. This idea is repeated throughout the design of the torch. The design incorporates pattern and rhythm to create a flowing eye catching application.
[Image Source: http://torchrelay.beijing2008.cn/en/ ]

This style of design is quite basic in it's nature as it is a repeated circular pattern and because of this I think it's well suited the Primitivism movement which goes back to the basic elements of art and design, for example Wassily Kandinsky who created simplistic but interesting abstract art. [Image Source: http://www.art-in-print.com/modern_prints.html]

The motif of the repeating pattern is seen throughout the application of this design and is similiar to the Greek Meander pattern which is often seen on vases and artwork from Ancient Greece. I think the design is effective in describing the concept of harmony, the spirit of man and the phoenix .

SOURCES:

http://torchrelay.beijing2008.cn/en/image/corepatterns/

http://torchrelay.beijing2008.cn/en/image/torchdesign/index.shtml