Aug 24, 2012read the 5 comments
Atari logo
Gamers of my age (not that I play much these days) will never forget the Atari logo.
Designed by George Opperman in 1972, the logo represents a stylized letter ‘A’.
“Back in 1972, Atari’s claim to fame was ‘Pong,’ and George says the two side pieces of the Atari symbol represent two opposing video game players, with the center line of the ‘Pong’ court in the middle.”
Images and info from Art of the Arcade. Via AisleOne.
Atari 2600 photos via Wikipedia
These Atari commercials from 1978 and ‘84 made me smile.
5 appreciated comments, click here to add one
Matthew Kopytowski
Love this logo from my childhood. Loved the console too.
There is one logo that I cannot find. I used to have a clock radio, one of the flip kind. The maker was Shark and the word Shark was in the form of a shark. I have been looking for that logo/clock radio for about a year now, with no luck. Do you remember that logo at all?
Aug 24th, 2012
Tim Lapetino
Great post that brings back many memories. Thanks, David.
This has always been one of my all-time favorite logos, both for the emotional attachment, but also for the amazing craft. It’s such a clever and well-rendered mark. And with the emotional power of the Atari brand behind it, it still has a tone of equity 40 years later.
We’ve been doing research for another Atari-related project, and have found some of George Opperman’s thoughts and more explanation of the mark in an interview with Video Games magazine. There’s also some great stuff about his excellent design work at Atari too.
On the Atari logo:
“In 1972, George Ferraco of Atari asked me towork on something for their corporate I.D. Well, symbols are just visual nicknames that combine first letters and interpretive design elements. In six months I went through 150 designs. Anyway, I kept trying to stylize the ‘A,’ then I looked at Pong — their big game at the time. Pong had a center line and a force (the ball) that kept hitting its center from either side. I thought that (force) would bend the center outward. And that’s what I designed.”
You can check out the whole article here: http://www.hexanine.com/downloads/video_games_jun83-George-Opperman-interview.pdf
Aug 25th, 2012
Mattia
OMG… how many old feelings!
Aug 26th, 2012
Sean
We are emotional creatures and anything that brings back memories or emotions will always have an impact on us. Atari was one of them and the hours of playing, I will never forget.
Aug 27th, 2012
Kelly
A few months ago, I was on a hunt for a tee with the Atari logo. Do you know how hard it is to find one?
Aug 28th, 2012
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