Logo posts

Filed under: Humor, Cult of Mac, Odds and ends, Found Footage

Finder icon birthday cake will make your day

by Mike Schramm (RSS feed) on Nov 22nd, 2009

If there's one thing I like better than pie, it's cake. And if there's a best kind of cake, it's definitely one that's shaped in the form of something geeky. Which means the video above, which shows what seems to be a tasty confection in the form of Apple's Finder icon, hits the spot perfectly. David B.'s wife made it for him for his birthday earlier this week, he says over on his Twitter account. He doesn't say what kind of cake it is, but given that it's Finder, I'm going to guess chocolate. An iTunes icon cake would give off a more "vanilla" vibe to me.

We've also, you'll remember, seen this Finder icon parading around on pillows as well. Which isn't too surprising -- who could pass up a face like that? Not only is he a handsome dude with a mischievous smile, but he's got access to all your files and passwords. That's the kind of guy you'd better get along with.

Thanks to Chris Pirillo for the tip!

Tags: birthday-cake, chocolate, finder, icon, itunes, logo, mac, parading, vanilla

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Cult of Mac, Podcasts, Apple, Apple History

RetroMacCast interviews Rob Janoff

by Mike Schramm (RSS feed) on May 25th, 2009

The guys over at the RetroMacCast sent us a link to their latest episode, featuring an interview with none other than Rob Janoff, the designer of Apple's old rainbow Mac logo. The interview starts a little less than halfway into the show, and it's cool to hear a voice right out of Apple's past.

They talk about the inception of the logo -- how Apple came to Janoff's firm and what they originally asked for in terms of a design. He actually had very little guidance when first creating the logo, and in fact hadn't seen any of Apple's branding or even heard of the company before he created the now-iconic image. He also talks about how lucky he was in choosing the image -- he saw it as a pretty obvious choice to use a picture of fruit for a company named after said fruit, but like any great logo, there ended up being layers of meaning behind that apple bite (or byte, as he points out).

Nothing really earthshaking in the interview (he hasn't had contact with Apple since, and even he says that the mythology behind the company has much more to do than just the familiar logo), but hey, if you're hanging out today during Memorial Day and need something interesting to listen to while barbecuing, you can tune in and learn a little bit about Apple's corporate history.

Tags: apple, design, history, icon, image, interview, listen, logo, podcast, rob-janoff

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Apple, Apple History, Graphic Design

Rob Janoff and how he made the Apple logo

by Mike Schramm (RSS feed) on Mar 31st, 2009

ZLOK has re-posted an article (originally meant for the defunct Sync Magazine) about Rob Janoff, a designer who's credited with coming up with the iconic-as-they-come Apple logo. It's actually a really short piece, but he does talk pretty candidly about where he got the idea: by buying a bag of apples and slicing them up in different ways.

And the original design was just a single color Apple (which, of course, Apple has used versions of since), but Jobs thought the design should be more colorful, so the logo got its familiar colored bands. Janoff says he just threw the colors in where he thought they might fit, which makes sense -- they don't match up with the physical spectrum at all, they're just sort of in there.

Cool to see that something now so well known started off so simply. Janoff did the work for a design firm, and says that nowadays, he gets "not even a holiday card" for his invention. Apple does take their time recognizing inventors, though -- maybe the card's in the mail.

[via Cult of Mac]

Tags: apples, colors, design, designer, interview, logo, rainbow, rob-janoff, short, slices, steve-jobs

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Odds and ends, Apple, Flickr Find, Apple History, Graphic Design

Flickr Find: A familiar logo

by Mike Schramm (RSS feed) on Mar 10th, 2009

You can call Steve Jobs a visionary if you want, but the Vanzettis are the real visionaries -- who would have ever thought of using a computer company's logo to sell fruit?! Though it's a little bit squished and the colors are different than we've ever seen (a red apple and a green leaf? why didn't they ever use that on the old IIe's?), the old bite-out-of-the-apple logo is definitely very familiar.

We doubt Apple will take any legal action here -- the Mac makers having a problem with a fruit company would be like a record company having a problem with Apple (oh wait). As long as Vanzetti never tries to release an iOrange, they'll probably be fine.

Thanks, Lucky!

Tags: apple, bite-out-of-the-apple, flickr-find, fruit, fruit-from-italy, logo, vanzetiis, visionary

Filed under: Cult of Mac, Odds and ends, Flickr Find

The sun-stamped Apple doesn't fall far from the iTree

by Michael Rose (RSS feed) on Nov 22nd, 2008

Some forms of Apple fandom are quick and simple -- the button, the tote bag, the temporary tattoo (not to be confused with the more permanent variety). Some forms, however, require commitment and patience. I don't speak the predominant language over at useloos.com, but I can guess that the translated caption for this photo gallery might be "How do you like them apples?"

Update: Per Cult of Mac, It looks like the source for the tattooed apples is this Japanese site -- translations welcome.

Yes, one very patient apple tree owner applied icon stencils for the Apple & iPod logos to a treeful of apples, and then let the sunshine do the work. The results can be seen to the right and at the gallery -- a bushelful of neatly logofied fruit, ripe for the munching. Talk about living your brand.

Thanks Tim!

Tags: apples, flickr, fruit, funny, ipod, logo, photos

Filed under: Mods, iPhone

Glowing Apple logo mod for your iPhone?

by Robert Palmer (RSS feed) on Aug 18th, 2008

iPhones.ru posted a video (with dialogue in Russian, I think) showing a first-generation iPhone that's been modified to light up the Apple logo on the back of the device when it's turned on.

Sadly, it doesn't show how exactly the modification was made, though I conjecture it uses light from the main display somehow, perhaps with optical fiber. Maybe the presenter is discussing it, but I don't speak Russian, so it's hard to say.

It looks pretty cool. I'm old enough to remember when people were doing this to their PowerBooks, so who knows? This might just be a built-in feature of some future iPhone.

[Via Saiko Land and Engadget]

Tags: fiber, iphone, iphones.ru, light, logo, mod, saikoland

Filed under: WWDC, Internet Tools, .Mac, MobileMe

Apple's worst logo ever?

by Dave Caolo (RSS feed) on Jun 11th, 2008

I'm eager to test out Apple's upcoming MobileMe service, the .Mac replacement scheduled to launch in a few weeks. Unfortunately for many, my enthusiasm is matched by disdain for the MobileMe logo.

Gawker says "...it should be on a package of Japanese soap." Paul Thurrott notices a similarity between MobileMe and Microsoft WindowsME and Manhattan Offender asks flat-out: "Is 'MobileMe' the worst logo in the history of Mac?"

First of all, Manhattan Offender, Apple is the company that produced MobileMe and its graphic representation, not "Mac."

Remember, Apple is pushing this (get it?) as "Exchange for the rest of us." It's not a corporate product, but a consumer service with corporate-like features. We think the logo is airy and fun.

What's your take? Decent enough or utter garbage?

[Via Geek & Mild]

Tags: design, icon, logo, mobileme

Filed under: Humor, Cult of Mac, Odds and ends, Apple

The iComet

by Mike Schramm (RSS feed) on Oct 30th, 2007

Phil Plait over at Bad Astronomy (who I remember from the hilarious and sadly ended Penn Jillette podcast) has posted a picture of Comet 17/P Holmes which I admit, as you can see above, looks strangely like a certain computer company's logo. I don't know if I would have pulled the Apple logo out of there myself, but now that I look at it more and more, I can definitely see it.

Phil jokes that this means Apple is spending way more than we thought on advertising, but let's be serious here-- the Universe is just reforming itself in the most beautiful, usable form possible. This comet designed by Apple in California.

Thanks, Dave!

Tags: apple, comet, logo, mac

Filed under: TUAW Business

TUAW Back-to-School Giveaway Day Eight: Baseball Cap

by Victor Agreda, Jr. (RSS feed) on Aug 22nd, 2007

Another weekday, another prize. Today's giveaway is a baseball cap with the Apple logo on it (and an Ambrosia pack). A black cap, the flex-fit variety, suitable for wearing on one's head. Seeing as how quite a few college students like to wear these things, we hope today's prize will find a good home.

To enter, leave a comment on this post between 5AM and 11:59PM EST on August 22. Validate the comment for it to qualify, and only one per person please. Full rules on our TUAW Back-to-School Giveaway page. Good luck and thanks for reading!

Tags: apple, b2s07, giveaway, hat, logo, prize

Filed under: TUAW Business

TUAW Back-to-School Giveaway Day Seven: White Apple Pen

by Victor Agreda, Jr. (RSS feed) on Aug 21st, 2007

Before you fill out that employment application you're going to need a pen. This might not be the iPen, but it is a white Apple logo pen from the Cupertino store. There's really not much more to say, is there? It's a pen. It's white. It has an Apple logo. Thus, we shall give one away. Oh, and another Ambrosia pack and a coupon for a free shirt from Insanely Great Tees.

To enter today's drawing, leave a comment on this post (be sure to validate it) between 5AM and 11:59PM (Eastern) on August 21. Full rules on our TUAW Back-to-School Giveaway page. While you're checking out pages, be sure to peep our iPhone page as well. Do not use this pen as a stylus on your iPhone, however-- double foul.

Tags: apple, b2s07, logo, pen, white

Filed under: Odds and ends, Apple, Retro Mac

Apple flag for sale on eBay

by Mike Schramm (RSS feed) on Aug 14th, 2007

After we posted that neon Apple sign a little while back, reader Franco thought we'd get a kick out of this Apple flag for sale on eBay, and he was right. The best news is that right now, it's ~~sitting pretty at only $10 (reserve not yet met, though)~~ flying upwards-- what are you TUAW readers, rich?-- so you could own a little piece of Apple history ~~for cheap~~.

As for dating it, the page says the 80s. No mention of Macintosh might put it before 1984, but that's just a guess-- Apple IIs were known as the first "personal computers" and those were made all the way up until the early 1990s. I really love those fonts, though, and of course the rainbow logo is a classic.

Tags: apple, ebay, flag, fonts, logo, personalcomputers, retro, sale, vintage

Filed under: Humor, Odds and ends, Apple

6-foot neon Apple icon for sale

by Mike Schramm (RSS feed) on Jul 24th, 2007

Macenstein points to the ultimate Mac collector's item, a 6-foot neon version of the rainbow Apple logo (which, you'll remember with the help of Wikipedia, was used up until Jobs turned the logo one solid color in 1999), up for sale on eBay. Now you too can own a gigantic neon piece of Apple's history, sure to turn even the most casual Apple user green with envy. Or at least green with something-- having colored neon lights in your field of view all day can't be that good for your health.

But still, someone wants it-- there are 17 bids so far, and even at $4350 as of this writing, the reserve hasn't been met. The sign itself is in Huntsville, Alabama (at an Apple authorized dealer who doesn't need it anymore), and they're offering to ship to anywhere in the contiguous 48, or you can come by and grab it yourself.

Tags: apple, ebay, huge, logo, macenstein, neon, rainbowlogo

Filed under: Humor, Cult of Mac, Apple

Apple Tattoo: Now that's a fan girl

by Mat Lu (RSS feed) on Apr 18th, 2007

In my time I've been accused of being an Apple fanboy, but this girl takes it to the next level. On celebritytattoos.org we find this lovely collection of the 32 geekiest tattoos, with our favorite company logo clearly taking pride of place. I can't say I approve, but you've got to respect the Apple devotion! You just have wonder how she's going to feel about it in a few years.

[Via Digg]

Tags: logo, tattoo, think different, ThinkDifferent

Filed under: Cult of Mac, Odds and ends, Apple

Blast from the Past: Original Apple logo

by Mat Lu (RSS feed) on Apr 13th, 2007

This one is for all you who miss the old rainbow Apple logo. What seems to be the original Apple logo (pre-incorporation in 1976) is making the rounds of the internets today. So apparently the Apple belongs to Newton. I have to say; it's a good thing they got rid of this one early.

So which version of the Apple logo is your favorite?

[Via Digg]

Tags: Apple logo, AppleLogo, logo

Filed under: Retro Mac

Blast from the Past: The Story of the Apple Clover Symbol

by Erica Sadun (RSS feed) on Jan 1st, 2007

Do you remember Andy Hertzfeld? He was the author of a huge part of the original Mac ROM and he discusses the creation of the Apple command logo in this writeup. Turns out that the logo was based on a Swedish symbol used to flag noteworthy attractions at campgrounds. Susan Kare, Apple's bitmap artist, found it in an international symbol dictionary. So why didn't they just use an Apple symbol? Steve Jobs had had enough. "There are too many Apples on the screen! It's ridiculous! We're taking the Apple logo in vain! We've got to stop doing that!" Neat story to read through, and only one of Hertzfeld's many marvelous Apple reminiscences.

Although the actual proper name of the icon is the Saint Johns Cross, when describing this key to others, I've called it the "butterfly icon", "squiggle icon", 'propeller icon" as well as "clover". What names have you TUAW readers given to the clover symbol?

Tags: Apple Logo, AppleLogo, Command Logo, CommandLogo, Design, Keyboard, Logo

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