CultureBus logo by Pentagram

Pentagram partner, Kit Hinrichs, and designer, Mo Woods, have created a new brand identity for CultureBus.

CultureBus is an initiative from the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to provide locals and visitors with an easy, economical and eco-friendly bus service from downtown San Francisco to Golden Gate Park, with stops at many cultural institutions.
The CB logo brings together the letters C and B in a form that resembles a route.

I’m not over the moon about the application, much like Khoi Vinh, but who knows what restrictions the design brief might’ve included? I do, however, very much admire the monogram logo. How about you?












20 excellent comments, click here to add one
George - LogoDesign.org
I love the logo, agree that it’s not the best application but hey, it could have been ALOT worse!
Nov 8th, 2008
Kyle Anderson
I love this logo. It’s so simple and thoughtful. It even works two ways, it’s a C merging with a B, and the inside of that forms a C as well. Really cool.
Kyle Anderson’s last blog post…Magento Showcase: Raspberry Kids
Nov 8th, 2008
Traci
does anyone else think this looks like a butt? All I can see is this thing mooning me.
Nov 8th, 2008
Alex Charchar
I almost don’t mind the execution of the application.. bus advertising is often a little gaudy and borderline tacky, isn’t it? Although it does look as if they just looked for the largest uninterrupted space and said “yeah, whack her there!”
the logo its self is quite nice, although it feels as if it’s aiming mostly at a younger audience who might use the bus with their parents or as part of a class trip?
I must say though, seeing it as part of the ticket design in mono (image on the Pentagram page) makes me smile. It’s a cute logo.
Alex Charchar’s last blog post…Why Do Creatives Create?
Nov 8th, 2008
Andrew Kelsall
Like Alex, I do like the mono version of the logo. I think the actual concept of the logo is a great idea, but I reckon it could have been taken one stage further with the actual formation of the curves, as it kinda looks very ‘Comic Sans’ in my opinion.
Nov 8th, 2008
Rafie
Splendid! I would love to wear a shirt with this logo on it even it is a public transport company. :D Anyone on the same boat?
Rafie’s last blog post…Mac Day :)
Nov 9th, 2008
Grafiko
I love its simplicity. I can see where you can see a butt. Great logos will intrigue you and every time you will see it. It may evoke a different shape.
Nov 9th, 2008
David Airey
They’ve definitely gone for a friendly appearance, and it does seem quite cute.
Thanks for leaving your thoughts, everyone. Mainly positive… except for the mooning.
Nov 9th, 2008
Jasmine
Love Love Love Love it!
Just made me smile.
Nov 10th, 2008
Preston
Excellent Logo in my opinion. It’s simple, yet creative. It took me a minute to understand the C&B relation (that’s present on a few levels). Thats the sign of a well made logo: you think twice about it. Thanks for sharing.
Preston’s last blog post…
Nov 10th, 2008
Jonathan Hughes
I thought it was okay at first, but once I saw the C inside the B (I read it as just a B at first) I loved it. I think that some of the best logos are the ones that have some element that’s not immediately apparent (like the arrow in the FedEx logo). This is a perfect example of that kind of logo.
Nov 10th, 2008
OnlyYoursPiyu
Hey,
I have been following posts of this blog since a long time, but today I could not stop myself from the urge of posting a comment too..
Honestly the logo design works totally for me….its simple ans subsides to all the logo design boundaries…
Something that makes a logo work I feel is not just the idea behind…but simple approach. The design should get embedded in one’s mind the very first time…and i feel this logo does that effortlessly… :)
Nov 11th, 2008
Enrique Mendoza
Well I think it’s a cute logo, very functional in terms of perception, and quite original.
Its a shame that some US buses (as seen on the article photo) are so crapp-looking, with old fashioned style and forms, and metal strucure everywere…. just take a look to some “more European” buses like
http://images.asia.ru/img/alibaba/photo/51219146/Passenger_Bus__City_Buses__Auto_Accessories.jpg
This logo suits much more in this kind of bus. What do you think?
Nov 11th, 2008
AL
Yeah, it’s a nice logo but… does this initiative really need a logo?
Nov 11th, 2008
Al Woods
Love the logo, nice and friendly but I find all the hard work slightly ruined by the sharp edged info boxes alongside it on the bus, should have followed the softer theme with some round, bubble-like edges.
Nice though, especially in white.
Nov 11th, 2008
David Buchanan
Really like the logo…but that bus??? C’mon guys this is Pentagram we’re talkin’ about and the branding on that bus is pretty weak.
Nov 12th, 2008
Josiah Jost
Oh wow… That is awesome. LOVE IT
Nov 13th, 2008
zee
It’s very very similar to this one: http://www.museuberardo.com
sorry.
Nov 17th, 2008
Suhail
Excellent logo… The negative space and the positive space play effective role here, amazing.
Nov 21st, 2008
freya
Agree with Traci, just looks like a big bum to me! Not taken with it personally
Nov 25th, 2008
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