(Heart) London
A little while ago, a friend of mine – Ealing man and London Historian member Rian Hughes – made a logo for London, taking his lead from the I [heart] NY idea Stateside. I think it is the perfect symbol for the riot aftermath. Rian is one of our leading designers and illustrators and a proud Londoner. I spoke to him this morning, he got caught up in it all trying to get home last night from Heathrow. He is happy for anyone to use his logo in the context of riot clean-up etc. provided you retain the attribution. For any other use or licensing, please contact Rian via his web site, here:
Rian Hughes’ web site
Rian Hughes logos
Sorry Mike, I am sure your friend means well but this is not the time for crass commercialisation – talking of licencing logos etc! We do not need signs and symbols we need to look after each other. Don’t know about you but I have been up all night and am still in tears. Feeling very raw this morning
You need to understand designers, people constantly rip off their stuff. Rian is happy for anyone to use for free in context of riots. If other context use, then a different story, this is his profession after all. I happen to know that he is out in Ealing on #riotcleanup right now, he his no less shaken up than you, in fact he had direct experience of the hoodies in Ealing last night. He doesn’t need the exposure or money, believe me, he is very successful. But if enough people think as you do, I’d be happy to withdraw post.
I like the idea that this could be an image for social recovery, but perhaps you are mentioning it here a tad too soon? The commercial aspect has a bitter taste. It would perhaps be more potent in these times if it were a spontaneous offering, to be used anonymously and offered free of licience. Like street art. Appearing as and where needed by those believing it shares the right message. Just a thought….
It is a spontaneous offering, and is offered free of licence in the context of London Riots. All the licence thing is about is so that the design is not being used for free on, say, mugs in souvenir shops sometime down the line, that type of thing. Put on your Twitter, Facebook etc., no problem. Or not, up to you. With reference to “too soon”, no time like the present. One hopes that the clean-up, aftermath etc. will be quick and peaceful and all this behind us. I think every little thing that helps public solidarity should be tried.
Personally, I am happy to see any and all manifestations of confidence in, and love of, London at this juncture. I have been saddened to see people declaring their shame in London and denigrating the city as though it somehow bore the fault for what is happening.
Now is the time to express unequivocally our love of London, our pride in being Londoners and our confidence in the future of our city. Logos, flags, mugs, funny hats… who cares what we produce as long as the spirit is right. Good luck to Rian and his logo. May many more follow his example.
I love London and am still in tears from last night. The image your friend has produced is very heavy and aggressive, in contrast to the lightness of the original I love NY.
What I found much more upplifting this morning was a woman with her I love Hackney bag. Still you do as you see fit, maybe your members think it is alright.