7th Son listeners know that I love to experiment with my storytelling, marketing and darned-near everything else I do for my podcast and website. I’m wired to surprise my audience with things that are familiar … but off-plumb enough to be delightful.
I often concoct these experiments on the fly, unilaterally release them into the wild, and see what sticks. In the interest of connecting with the community (and knowing that many creative minds are usually better than one), I’ve pulled back the “curtain” a bit in recent weeks, and invited 7th Son fans to chime in on some creative decisions. I did that last night, and received some intriguing results.
Months ago, I crafted a new logo for the 7th Son experience. I wanted something different and dynamic — something that implied danger, action and excitement (things the 7th Son trilogy is well-known for). I spent several days crafting it, and last night, finally posted it on the homepage here at JCH.net. I asked my Twitter followers if it was “hot or not.”
About 75 percent of respondents liked it. The rest, vociferously, did not. I found myself in a fascinating conundrum.
7th Son is my novel. I wanted a new logo. My informal poll suggested that most folks dug the new design. But the minority was large (and vocal) enough for me to take pause and listen. An hour later, I pulled the plug. We’re back to the status quo.
What have I learned from this? Three things. First: Community rocks. It’s flattering and humbling to know that so many 7th Son listeners care enough to chime in on these ideas, offer their creative perspective, and make suggestions. Second: If you open the floor for discussion, expect it, listen to it — and prepare to make tough choices, should the community split on the issue, or vote against your personal point of view.
And third: Consider strongly what you open up for debate. If you’re convinced in your heart that a certain creative course should be taken, take it. Run with your gut, and be willing to live with the consequences.
I’ll never know if the resistance I encountered with the new logo was legitimate disdain, or the natural reluctance to embrace something new — after all, living things crave stability, and change disrupts that. I’m not dedicating brain cycles to it; I asked for opinions, the people spoke, and it’s done and done.
And so, I present to you the very short-lived “2.0″ logo for the 7th Son trilogy. It was either a bad design, or ahead of its time. But it certainly taught me a great bit about community, the power of crowds, and the unabashed love 7th Son fans have for the podcast. As always, I’m amazed and humbled by that.
–J.C.
I am one of the ~75% that liked the new logo design….I think (if I may add my 2 1/2 cents) that it wasn’t taken far enough. A new logo design needs to either radically different or an update in the same motif. The 7S Logo 2.0 seems to be stuck in the middle. I still like it…and hope to see something along the same lines soon!
I was one of the ones that didn’t like it and here’s why. The old Logo is a very bright color but on closer inspection is quite a foreboding feel with the gradient. Also it looks much like a sort of science screen you might find on the computer. but then it divides it up to 3 parts which is great for the trilogy. It says alot about the trilogy and what to except from it.
Where my problems with the new one. it steps away from that I looks like a generic black background and while it does feel sci-fi it’s so light that it all just blends in and you can’t see it (i had to get my face right up to the screen to see it) and the white on black just really isn’t that eye catching yes you have the red which does stand out nicely the problem is compared to the other one it’s very bland. Not that I think its bad per say but the orange one is such a perfect piece for the novel it’s more a matter of “don’t fix what is not broken”
Just my two cents and what my art school education can provide to you.
What covers are they using for the actual print books?
Thanks for chiming in, Le Stew! I appreciate the feedback.
Brent: Thanks for the critique. The typographic design of the logo — the main “7th Son” element — was what was up for discussion, not the image as a whole. I don’t know what art or logo will be used by the St. Martin’s creative team when Descent is released in 2009 … but it will likely be quite different from the logo 7S listeners have grown accustomed to seeing.
Thanks again for the feedback, fellas!
Missed the initial debate, but glad you kept the current one.
Something about this logo reminds me of the 007 logo. Its probably just not the direction to go. If you really want to update it, I’m sure if you keep playing with it, you’ll hit one that really works.
Can’t wait to see what you eventually come up with.
I’m with Chris. While i also missed the initial debate, I have to agree completely It is too reminiscent of a 007 movie or book cover. Maybe if you play with it a little bit?
I do like the background though. I didn’t notice it until I went back a second time to look at the logo. Very subtle. So I think you have elements you can work with here. Don’t give up because something isn’t unilaterally accepted
I don’t really fall cleanly into love it or hate it category.
It does however look very James Bond.. For that reason, i would think keeping the original was a good ides
Thanks for the opinions, Chris, Herbwoman and Tiger. You’re not alone in the “007″ observation, even by me. In fact, that was one of the inspirations for the new (but now retired) logo. 7th Son is a technothriller, and — as Bond fans can attest — has a great many things in common with a spy-action-thriller.
Ah, I’m not alone then in that the first thing I thought of when I saw it was “James Bond”. Not that there’s anything wrong with James Bond as such, but do you want to evoke something else that clearly when promoting your own work?
There’s something kind of 80s about it too. That black, red and grey/silver colour combination says 80s to me, which makes it feel a bit dated.
Thanks, JFM, for your comments. I’m in love with the new logo, and think that it’s a great fit for the theme and mood of the trilogy. So did most of the folks who were polled. However, the debate has concluded, and the old logo will remain the standard for now.
Too 007 Bond for me. When I see that logo, I see James Bond and NOT JC Hutchins and the 7th Son Trilogy