Think I've mentioned this before but way back in 2004 my parents surprised me for my 18th birthday by writing to him and he very kindly sent me a copy of his book, 'Brand identity for television with knobs on' which to this day I still keep in the envelope it came in so that it won't get damaged. One of the best birthday presents I ever had. RIP Lambie-Nairn, a graphic design genius!
As a graphic designer who works with type every day, I found this both very interesting and informative. Perhaps this should be referenced when certain tabloid journalists criticise the BBC for "wasting money" on their logo rebranding.
Quite possibly the greatest rebranding of any organisation in the UK. Outstanding job from Martin and his team. The fact the that BBC logo lasted across 4 decades and they still use the technical principles of the design are the ultimate compliment. Great video.
I absolutely adore this video. Idents in general, particularly that of BBC, have always scratched an itch in my brain. Thanks so much for this, you’ve made this oddling very happy!
Excellent video, Adam. This video reminds me of what the legendary designer Saul Bass did when he presented his proposal for the Bell System logo in the 60s (that video is available in YT). Martin Lambie-Nairn was capable of presenting his case in an engaging and concrete manner. No wonder he was a legend on his area of skill.
This is a very interesting vid. I knew of Martin’s work before his death in 2021, however I never knew that this vid of Martin speaking about reinventing the new BBC logo in 1996. Quite possibly one of the most iconic logo up until 2021.
The incredible thing for me now, is the corporate logo for RTE in Ireland preceded, spanned and outlasted the whole life of that BBC look. It's soon to turn 30, debuting in 1995. Not designed by Lambie-Nairn, but feels like it was, just because it's lasted that long. Showing how his is the standard by which others are judged.
Makes me want to do a video on longest-lasting logos of TV networks around the world. If you allow for partial reversions, Channel Nine in Australia has had the same one since before colour TV. American networks of course love the stained oak and mahagony vibe of their old logos, or should I say shag pile orange carpet vibes … the ABC logo is so ’70s that it defied anyone to change it and it’s probably come into vogue and out again while standing still, like a stopped clock 12 hours later.
@@whophd “…the ABC logo is so ’70s that it defied anyone to change it…” Classic, perhaps, because it was ahead of its time, being “so ’70s” yet (re)designed by graphic designer Paul Rand in 1962 and debuting on-air in October of that year.
@@whophdABC Australia (the government owned network not related to the US one) has had virtually the same logo. (upgrades in font and style) since 1965. Thats 59 years. It's based on a waveform of a broadcast oscillation.
Sorry, but I detest it! Fwiw, I'm not a particular fan of Lambie~Nairn's BBC logo either, but I don't positively hate it the way I hate the RTE one. I actually liked the one RTE used in the '60's and '70's, but given the far too cosy and unhealthy connection between the Roman Catholic Church and the Irish State in those years, it was probably wise to move away from a station logo which featured a St. Brigid's Cross! It's probably a bit unfair to knock a 'blandly corporate' entity to have a blandly corporate looking trademark, but that logo that RTE brought in in the '90's has the same sort of vibe you get from the 'art' and livery one sees in the sort of budget hotel chain where you might find Alan Partridge in residence! At least the RTE station idents, logos etc have the one major plus of not actually looking like a puddle of sick, unlike their cross~border commercial counterpart, UTV!
Man, do I have a lot to say. First of all... Love this film. Such a great showcase on why the BBC channels & services looked the way they did in the tail end of the 90s. I do sort of prefer the 1991 BBC logo (even though I didn't grow up with it) I tend to favour logos that contain a lot of detail, colour, texturing etc. which I why I give some modern company logos a hard time, but this film does put in some perspective on how that sometimes doesn't work & I will admit, when Martin showed all the different logos from 14:00 - 14:14, it does look cleaner & probably didn't cost nearly as much as the previous ones. The logos may be seen as downgrades to some, but hey! BBC One had the "Globe Balloon" & BBC Two had the "2s" so the channels still had plenty of personality, like Martin said. For example, I think the CBBC logo at the time looks pretty bad, but the idents & in-vision links made up for it, IMO. As for the Gill Sans font, sweet mother of God! I did not realise Eric Gill was so psychotic! That definitely gave me a whole new perspective on why the BBC spent all that money to update their logo in 2021. Finally, All respects to Martin Lambie Nairn. R.I.P.
Thank you for posting Adam. I had the fun (and the challenge) of being one of the on-air BBC TV presentation announcers during the 90s. The 'brand' of the voices of the TV channels were also reviewed and chosen to reflect the 'personality' of the channel... I was selected as a peak time BBC 2 voice. Which suited me as I preferred the programmes on BBC 2!
Martin Lambie-Nairn’s work was well influential to how television indents could be iconic from the 4 for channel four in the uk to the BBC rebrand in 96. Lambie-Nairn will always be influential even after his passing in 2021
Brilliant video with some great insights into the processed behind rebrands. I miss the 80s/90s BBC logo, but can't argue with Martin's reasoning. It's solid.
I remember the rebrand quite clearly - I was 10 in 1997 and noticed how everything changed to being so clean, clear and consistent. It was obviously successful as it lasted such a long time. Thanks for sharing what Martin did.
Martin was a master in his craft. Growing up it was always the BBC and Channel 4 that held an irresistible fascination to me and part of that was the logo and branding.
Martin Lambie-Nairn has always been a design hero of mine - but who knew he could give Jonathan Meades a run for his money with his presenting skills? What a great video ❤
When the UKTV network launched in 1997 the branding was also designed by Martin Lambie-Nairn and the branding was similar to the BBC look at the time. Even the menus and trailers were the same as the BBC channels.
it was partly owned by the BBC at that time, and was essentially intended as a new commercial arm of the BBC. Of course, it didn’t develop in that way in the end, and they ended up selling off their stake.
@@kaitlyn__L It was such a good network in Australia until all the content (and budget), along with the HD spectrum, got pinched by BBC First and the lovely mainstream quality service got replaced by 1.5 genres of period murder mysteries, and the UKTV channel just went into the gutter with repeats.
@@kaitlyn__L Correction: UKTV is still owned by the BBC. Its wholly owned by the BBC's commercial arm. The BBC sold thier stake of several UKTV channels to Discovery, retaining the UKTV brand and several channels. Gold, Dave, Yesterday, W, Eden, Alibi and Drama. Discovery purchased Good Food, Home, and Really.
There IS something special about Martin Lambie-Nairn - he's one of the most creative persons in the world. Yes, I've ripped the "there is something special about..." phrase from the "Making of the BBC Two idents" episode of the show "How Do They Do That?" where Lambie-Nairn says what's special about the Two he has in his hands. Thank you, Martin Lambie-Nairn.
A superb tribute - great work. Unfortunately, your video demonstrates - for example at 16:58 - that the BBC did *not* make full use of the concept. By the time BBC FOUR and BBC THREE (as I think one is supposed to type them) launched, the TV channels had moved the text into boxes - in the centre of the screen for FOUR and in a corner for ONE, TWO and THREE - the BBC logo was above the channel name, and in the case of THREE that word itself didn't even use standard Gill Sans. Within (I think) an even shorter space of time, the radio networks had dumped the original "channel property" (as Martin describes it here), which tended to be just a pair of colours and some shapes or patterns, and gone back to logos with numerals that looked a heck of a lot like revamped versions of the ones he describes at 4:38. So... it was a great concept, but the personalities given to almost all the national broadcast channels, with the exception of BBC TWO, just weren't quite strong enough, and so were "improved upon", weakening the corporate look in the process. A shame... and I hesitate to be critical of this genius piece of work at all... but a reality that it just wasn't *quite* as successful as it could have been. I guess it paved the way for the early 2020s rebrand, which, though I don't actually much like it, may turn out to have finished the job that Martin and his team started so incredibly.
I remember being absolutely livid as a teenager when they made this change, thinking it was lazy and stupid and that anyone could have come up with it. Watching this has made me see it in a very different way. Thank you!
Easily one of my favorite rebrands I've learned of. I also loved the 5-Channel TV design he applied for British Satellite Broadcasting, the Rhythm and Movement idents on BBC and the Twos (obviously)
4 grand for a logo of license fee payers money, just as bad as RTE here in Ireland, we've just had a year of one financial cock up after another resulting in mass non payment of the license fee. They need to be told who pays their wages. As for logos you'd make some better ones by dipping a spider in some coloured ink and letting it walk across a sheet of paper. A lot less than 4 grand. Three is the magic number TV3 here used that when it started in 98. Love this stuff thanks.
About Gill Sans: if you could sum up a England with just a typeface it would be Gill Sans. Same goes for Switzerland with Helvetica, the Netherlands with Arial🤮, Germany with Futura, Hong Kong with Myriad Pro and microsoft with Comic Sans.
An absolute genius in the world of TV and branding - and interesting seeing how his theories and processes still inspire and advise channel's branding today. I wonder what he'd make of the new blocks and Reith typeface, especially with the four pillars mentioned earlier. That, and even the positioning of the new blocks (at the top centre of the screen with the brands at bottom centre) I'm sure he'd support especially in the Beebs aims in the 'new' digital age. Absolutely bang on with his crit and how the logo forms a foundation with the marketing - or, as we all know, idents - stood to shout out the personality. Fantastic video Adam!
Thank You Adam. I think that video must be one of the most moving videos you have EVER made. We all take the history of the television ident logo of a broadcasting channel for granted, because we ( the general public) see it as just a natural process of what Television Broadcasting Channels must do, as part of the process of natural broadcasting evolution for the general public. But as you have done here…there are those certain individuals that we all take for granted who really should be recognised and acknowledged for the incredible work they have done in history, in branding and re-branding a broadcasting channel throughout a very long period of time. Again…Thank You Sir.
I can hardly imagine how challenging it must have been for him to defend this in a boardroom where executives were expecting a flashy refresh for the digital age, while also justifying his fee.
Martian Lambie-Nairn was a really brilliant designer and maker of idents. He knew how to make the idents and logos we know them today and how he made the BBC work for the 21st century.
We used to have bets on which dancers would be on the bbc1 idents before a show started. I remember a French and saunders Christmas special had a spoof of the women on ribbons falling on the floor before it started
At the end of the video I see him wearing a Blue Peter badge. That ident was one he didn't invent. That was created by Tony Hart from Vision On. Very good and interesting video.
Love this! I’m a huge fan of the 2s idents in 1990s (enjoyed your video ranking those too!) and while I don’t like the 2000s BBC idents as much - even though they remind me of some good times - the logo definitely worked and still does. RIP Martin Lambie-Nairn.
Martin was also integral with creating Spitting image, always saying in the credits "based on a lunch with Martin" There were even sketches in the 90s making fun of his BBC 2 idents, like the 2 refusing to act so they resorted to Tony Slattery who gets covered in cyan paint
While fully understanding the reasons for the 'new' logo, I much prefer the preceding one, and though I acknowledge its shortcomings, nothing can shake me out of that preference!
I've literally been looking for that digital is the future advert with Angus deayton and Richard Wilson talking to each other for years but never found it! Haha. How did you?!?? Thank you. That's literally the first time I've seen that since about 1998/99! A childhood memory I thought everyone else had forgotten haha
I am usually a cynic about expensive corporate rebranding but I make an exception for this. It looks so sharp and fresh for 27 years old. Perhaps it always will! I am sad they changed it, I heard (probably from you!) that the Monotype licensing fees were significant
This is the first time I’ve seen him but Martin Lambie-Nairn’s voice, delivery and even appearance are shockingly similar to the RUclipsr Dave Huxtable.
His logo designs for the short-lived BSB (British Satellite Broadcasting) 5 channel satellite system in 1990 were beautiful and stylish. The video at 1.36 gave a short glimpse of his design for the BSB Galaxy channel's 'Galaxy Club' logo. Search out the other BSB logos if you've never seen them.
The Gill statue on front of Broadcasting house has been covered up, and that whole entrance closed for the last two years however. No idea if they are repairing statue or removing. Either way it’s taking a strangely long amount of time.
is this film available to view in full anywhere? Perhaps on the Internet Archive? I know you said it’s quite short, so I feel like we’ve seen the most of it already, but it’s the kind of thing I find quite cosy to watch sometimes.
Fun fact: in Italy, Gill Sans in its Italic form was used for the logo of the Fininvest and later Mediaset broadcast group founded by Silvio Berlusconi. Who was also a bit of a nonce.
Ironically, they were originally a part of the Tracey Ullman Show, which the BBC cut from the show to fit it into a 25 minute slot. So they could have had the original series for no extra cost if they had left it as part of the Ullman Show, but that is the BBC for you.
Nowadays there’s a modern trent to unite all the brands, and the 2021 BBC logo does that. I loved LMB’s work and I don’t think anything will better it for generations. But the current BBC branding is just fine.
He also relaunched BBC News in 2000 and brought BBC News 24 (BBC News Channel) and BBC World News as part of the digital transformation and by that time, the BBC adopted the boxes not only for news but for BBC Radio, their digital channels, and everything else.
The BBC logo Martin introduced is perfectly fine if a bit bland however the 90's BBC logo indent that ran on BBC videos will always be the classic to look at. 😊
7:31 Though to be fair, it's kinda no different compared to the ABC abbreviation being commonly used, like for example, I'm an Australian and while I know many Americans recognize ABC as the American Broadcasting Company, the American network owned by Disney, but in Australia, we know ABC as the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the Aussie equivalent of the BBC. I also hear that an American organization that controls alcohol beverages also goes by ABC, but to them it stands for Alcohol Beverage Control. I'm sure there's more examples around the world of others using the letters ABC.
Had the pleasure of working with Martin. And spent many lunches discussing ideas over a glass of red. He was a legend. Thanks for creating the video.
How long have you been working at BBC?
I was fortunate enough to interview Martin in 2005 for my university dissertation. He also sent me a copy of his book.
Think I've mentioned this before but way back in 2004 my parents surprised me for my 18th birthday by writing to him and he very kindly sent me a copy of his book, 'Brand identity for television with knobs on' which to this day I still keep in the envelope it came in so that it won't get damaged. One of the best birthday presents I ever had. RIP Lambie-Nairn, a graphic design genius!
Martin injecting comedy into that report for a load of suits is very, very funny. Great timing.
As a graphic designer who works with type every day, I found this both very interesting and informative. Perhaps this should be referenced when certain tabloid journalists criticise the BBC for "wasting money" on their logo rebranding.
Quite possibly the greatest rebranding of any organisation in the UK. Outstanding job from Martin and his team.
The fact the that BBC logo lasted across 4 decades and they still use the technical principles of the design are the ultimate compliment. Great video.
Even from here in the U.S., I admire him and his work. He was a designer/brand GENIUS. Not just smarts, a total GENIUS.
The 1997 logo was definitely the best BBC logo.
Yep!
@@WHUFCboy3456⚒️
I absolutely adore this video. Idents in general, particularly that of BBC, have always scratched an itch in my brain. Thanks so much for this, you’ve made this oddling very happy!
Excellent video, Adam. This video reminds me of what the legendary designer Saul Bass did when he presented his proposal for the Bell System logo in the 60s (that video is available in YT). Martin Lambie-Nairn was capable of presenting his case in an engaging and concrete manner. No wonder he was a legend on his area of skill.
Thank you very much!
That’s still a funny and engaging video today! No surprise that many of his logo designs are still in use today, only slightly altered
Wow. Lambie is just a king at design criticism.
This is a very interesting vid. I knew of Martin’s work before his death in 2021, however I never knew that this vid of Martin speaking about reinventing the new BBC logo in 1996. Quite possibly one of the most iconic logo up until 2021.
The new one is dreadful in comparison
@handsoffmycactus2958 the new one that's barely any different to the last? That one?
this channel is my exact niche so I'm very glad it was finally recommended to me!
The incredible thing for me now, is the corporate logo for RTE in Ireland preceded, spanned and outlasted the whole life of that BBC look. It's soon to turn 30, debuting in 1995. Not designed by Lambie-Nairn, but feels like it was, just because it's lasted that long. Showing how his is the standard by which others are judged.
Makes me want to do a video on longest-lasting logos of TV networks around the world. If you allow for partial reversions, Channel Nine in Australia has had the same one since before colour TV. American networks of course love the stained oak and mahagony vibe of their old logos, or should I say shag pile orange carpet vibes … the ABC logo is so ’70s that it defied anyone to change it and it’s probably come into vogue and out again while standing still, like a stopped clock 12 hours later.
@@whophd “…the ABC logo is so ’70s that it defied anyone to change it…”
Classic, perhaps, because it was ahead of its time, being “so ’70s” yet (re)designed by graphic designer Paul Rand in 1962 and debuting on-air in October of that year.
@@jeff__w Haha yes I realised while writing that that it wasn't even ’70s but just helped define the era. Trope maker!
@@whophdABC Australia (the government owned network not related to the US one) has had virtually the same logo. (upgrades in font and style) since 1965. Thats 59 years. It's based on a waveform of a broadcast oscillation.
Sorry, but I detest it! Fwiw, I'm not a particular fan of Lambie~Nairn's BBC logo either, but I don't positively hate it the way I hate the RTE one. I actually liked the one RTE used in the '60's and '70's, but given the far too cosy and unhealthy connection between the Roman Catholic Church and the Irish State in those years, it was probably wise to move away from a station logo which featured a St. Brigid's Cross!
It's probably a bit unfair to knock a 'blandly corporate' entity to have a blandly corporate looking trademark, but that logo that RTE brought in in the '90's has the same sort of vibe you get from the 'art' and livery one sees in the sort of budget hotel chain where you might find Alan Partridge in residence! At least the RTE station idents, logos etc have the one major plus of not actually looking like a puddle of sick, unlike their cross~border commercial counterpart, UTV!
Great tribute at the end Adam, really fantastic touches mate. Thanks for this great insight bud 👏🏻
My pleasure, glad you enjoyed it!
Man, do I have a lot to say.
First of all... Love this film. Such a great showcase on why the BBC channels & services looked the way they did in the tail end of the 90s.
I do sort of prefer the 1991 BBC logo (even though I didn't grow up with it) I tend to favour logos that contain a lot of detail, colour, texturing etc. which I why I give some modern company logos a hard time, but this film does put in some perspective on how that sometimes doesn't work & I will admit, when Martin showed all the different logos from 14:00 - 14:14, it does look cleaner & probably didn't cost nearly as much as the previous ones.
The logos may be seen as downgrades to some, but hey! BBC One had the "Globe Balloon" & BBC Two had the "2s" so the channels still had plenty of personality, like Martin said. For example, I think the CBBC logo at the time looks pretty bad, but the idents & in-vision links made up for it, IMO.
As for the Gill Sans font, sweet mother of God! I did not realise Eric Gill was so psychotic! That definitely gave me a whole new perspective on why the BBC spent all that money to update their logo in 2021.
Finally, All respects to Martin Lambie Nairn. R.I.P.
Thank you for posting Adam.
I had the fun (and the challenge) of being one of the on-air BBC TV presentation announcers during the 90s.
The 'brand' of the voices of the TV channels were also reviewed and chosen to reflect the 'personality' of the channel... I was selected as a peak time BBC 2 voice. Which suited me as I preferred the programmes on BBC 2!
What a beautiful film and tribute. Thank you.
Martin Lambie-Nairn’s work was well influential to how television indents could be iconic from the 4 for channel four in the uk to the BBC rebrand in 96. Lambie-Nairn will always be influential even after his passing in 2021
Brilliant video with some great insights into the processed behind rebrands. I miss the 80s/90s BBC logo, but can't argue with Martin's reasoning. It's solid.
I remember the rebrand quite clearly - I was 10 in 1997 and noticed how everything changed to being so clean, clear and consistent. It was obviously successful as it lasted such a long time.
Thanks for sharing what Martin did.
Martin was a master in his craft. Growing up it was always the BBC and Channel 4 that held an irresistible fascination to me and part of that was the logo and branding.
Martin Lambie-Nairn has always been a design hero of mine - but who knew he could give Jonathan Meades a run for his money with his presenting skills? What a great video ❤
I liked the hot air balloon ident for BBC one in the 00’s. The 90’s/00’s BBC TV/radio idents and music to go with the idents was great
RIP Martin Lambie-Nairn. He also helped to devise Spitting Image.
as a graphic designer with an interest in strategic design and visual identities, this was a super interesting watch! thanks for making it!
Fascinating video, Adam, I really enjoyed it. Martin Lambie-Nairn was a very clever designer since the BBC logos are timeless.
Thank you verymuch!
Excellent video. I've always loved typography, logos and brand design.
Thank you!
When the UKTV network launched in 1997 the branding was also designed by Martin Lambie-Nairn and the branding was similar to the BBC look at the time. Even the menus and trailers were the same as the BBC channels.
it was partly owned by the BBC at that time, and was essentially intended as a new commercial arm of the BBC. Of course, it didn’t develop in that way in the end, and they ended up selling off their stake.
@@kaitlyn__L It was such a good network in Australia until all the content (and budget), along with the HD spectrum, got pinched by BBC First and the lovely mainstream quality service got replaced by 1.5 genres of period murder mysteries, and the UKTV channel just went into the gutter with repeats.
@@kaitlyn__L Correction: UKTV is still owned by the BBC. Its wholly owned by the BBC's commercial arm. The BBC sold thier stake of several UKTV channels to Discovery, retaining the UKTV brand and several channels. Gold, Dave, Yesterday, W, Eden, Alibi and Drama. Discovery purchased Good Food, Home, and Really.
@@itsrickyschannel. I thought they sold it off to Flextech. Did they sell that back?
There IS something special about Martin Lambie-Nairn - he's one of the most creative persons in the world.
Yes, I've ripped the "there is something special about..." phrase from the "Making of the BBC Two idents" episode of the show "How Do They Do That?" where Lambie-Nairn says what's special about the Two he has in his hands.
Thank you, Martin Lambie-Nairn.
A superb tribute - great work. Unfortunately, your video demonstrates - for example at 16:58 - that the BBC did *not* make full use of the concept. By the time BBC FOUR and BBC THREE (as I think one is supposed to type them) launched, the TV channels had moved the text into boxes - in the centre of the screen for FOUR and in a corner for ONE, TWO and THREE - the BBC logo was above the channel name, and in the case of THREE that word itself didn't even use standard Gill Sans. Within (I think) an even shorter space of time, the radio networks had dumped the original "channel property" (as Martin describes it here), which tended to be just a pair of colours and some shapes or patterns, and gone back to logos with numerals that looked a heck of a lot like revamped versions of the ones he describes at 4:38. So... it was a great concept, but the personalities given to almost all the national broadcast channels, with the exception of BBC TWO, just weren't quite strong enough, and so were "improved upon", weakening the corporate look in the process. A shame... and I hesitate to be critical of this genius piece of work at all... but a reality that it just wasn't *quite* as successful as it could have been. I guess it paved the way for the early 2020s rebrand, which, though I don't actually much like it, may turn out to have finished the job that Martin and his team started so incredibly.
I remember being absolutely livid as a teenager when they made this change, thinking it was lazy and stupid and that anyone could have come up with it. Watching this has made me see it in a very different way. Thank you!
Easily one of my favorite rebrands I've learned of. I also loved the 5-Channel TV design he applied for British Satellite Broadcasting, the Rhythm and Movement idents on BBC and the Twos (obviously)
4 grand for a logo of license fee payers money, just as bad as RTE here in Ireland, we've just had a year of one financial cock up after another resulting in mass non payment of the license fee. They need to be told who pays their wages. As for logos you'd make some better ones by dipping a spider in some coloured ink and letting it walk across a sheet of paper. A lot less than 4 grand. Three is the magic number TV3 here used that when it started in 98. Love this stuff thanks.
Great Video. Martin was such a character. The 2’s were so iconic.
About Gill Sans: if you could sum up a England with just a typeface it would be Gill Sans.
Same goes for Switzerland with Helvetica, the Netherlands with Arial🤮, Germany with Futura, Hong Kong with Myriad Pro and microsoft with Comic Sans.
I didn't realise "Microsoft" was a country? 😂 (Although arguably it has the GDP of a country)
The 1990 to 1997 and the 1997 to 2021 logos are very nostalgic to me. R.I.P Martin Lambie- Narin.
An absolute genius in the world of TV and branding - and interesting seeing how his theories and processes still inspire and advise channel's branding today.
I wonder what he'd make of the new blocks and Reith typeface, especially with the four pillars mentioned earlier. That, and even the positioning of the new blocks (at the top centre of the screen with the brands at bottom centre) I'm sure he'd support especially in the Beebs aims in the 'new' digital age.
Absolutely bang on with his crit and how the logo forms a foundation with the marketing - or, as we all know, idents - stood to shout out the personality.
Fantastic video Adam!
Thank you Fernand! Love your work, particularly as a fellow Eurovision fan! ✨️
Thank You Adam.
I think that video must be one of the most moving videos you have EVER made.
We all take the history of the television ident logo of a broadcasting channel for granted, because we ( the general public) see it as just a natural process of what Television Broadcasting Channels must do, as part of the process of natural broadcasting evolution for the general public.
But as you have done here…there are those certain individuals that we all take for granted who really should be recognised and acknowledged for the incredible work they have done in history, in branding and re-branding a broadcasting channel throughout a very long period of time.
Again…Thank You Sir.
1997 change was a breath of fresh air and timeless in its design.
RIP Martin, thanks for a memorable logo.
Gotta admit, this along with the BBC News beats, made the early 2000s memorable.
I can hardly imagine how challenging it must have been for him to defend this in a boardroom where executives were expecting a flashy refresh for the digital age, while also justifying his fee.
Martian Lambie-Nairn was a really brilliant designer and maker of idents. He knew how to make the idents and logos we know them today and how he made the BBC work for the 21st century.
very interesting channel, thanks for this.
We used to have bets on which dancers would be on the bbc1 idents before a show started.
I remember a French and saunders Christmas special had a spoof of the women on ribbons falling on the floor before it started
Great video as always Adam. I have to admit though I did not know about the other uses of the letters BBC. I looked it up. Oh dear!
At the end of the video I see him wearing a Blue Peter badge.
That ident was one he didn't invent. That was created by Tony Hart from Vision On.
Very good and interesting video.
excellent
Love this Adam! A doc on the life of Martin Lambie-Nairn!
Love this! I’m a huge fan of the 2s idents in 1990s (enjoyed your video ranking those too!) and while I don’t like the 2000s BBC idents as much - even though they remind me of some good times - the logo definitely worked and still does.
RIP Martin Lambie-Nairn.
I think the blue red and green underline was the best logo, and is such a shame it is no longer used
Martin also did the original opening titles for Play Your Cards Right in the 1980s.
Martin was also integral with creating Spitting image, always saying in the credits "based on a lunch with Martin"
There were even sketches in the 90s making fun of his BBC 2 idents, like the 2 refusing to act so they resorted to Tony Slattery who gets covered in cyan paint
I only recognised his name due to Spitting Image. This video has been a revelation. 😊
While fully understanding the reasons for the 'new' logo, I much prefer the preceding one, and though I acknowledge its shortcomings, nothing can shake me out of that preference!
the original music for the Channel 4 indent was written by David Dundas who made a fortune as that tune was heard before every programme for years
And then he made music for both of the ITV 90's generic looks.
I've literally been looking for that digital is the future advert with Angus deayton and Richard Wilson talking to each other for years but never found it! Haha. How did you?!?? Thank you. That's literally the first time I've seen that since about 1998/99! A childhood memory I thought everyone else had forgotten haha
This video is what RUclips was made for. Thanks!
No. RUclips was not designed for this. It was designed to be a dating site. If you don't believe me, look it up.
I suppose this is why BBC News has become more readibly available to us Americans via streaming lately.
Lambie-Nairn was the Jony Ive of television!
A wonderful and very interesting tribute
I love to watch these kind of videos. I was always thinking who created BBC logo, one of the best in the world.
Fantastic tribute
Interesting, thank you for sharing.
he also did s4c idents in the 90s
Incredible branding
I am usually a cynic about expensive corporate rebranding but I make an exception for this. It looks so sharp and fresh for 27 years old. Perhaps it always will! I am sad they changed it, I heard (probably from you!) that the Monotype licensing fees were significant
This is the first time I’ve seen him but Martin Lambie-Nairn’s voice, delivery and even appearance are shockingly similar to the RUclipsr Dave Huxtable.
This is a sublime observation. Indeed!
BBC Horizons and BBC Arena became UK Horizons and UK Arena due to the channels plan of being commercial, so they had to drop the BBC logo.
Sort of like “UKTV” starting off with that BBC logo vibe
@@whophd Yes, UKTVs 1997 branding was done by Lambie-Nairn and thus reused the 1997 BBC graphics with the exception of the BBC blocks.
The Batwings looks like a Kirby Final Boss
His logo designs for the short-lived BSB (British Satellite Broadcasting) 5 channel satellite system in 1990 were beautiful and stylish. The video at 1.36 gave a short glimpse of his design for the BSB Galaxy channel's 'Galaxy Club' logo. Search out the other BSB logos if you've never seen them.
I always saw the 1991 update as the biggest change. Channel ID was VERY old fashioned before then.
What a super video!
Thank you!
I remember when the BBC logo had a small first "B" then a large centre "B" then a small "C" fitted within a circle !
Yes I am very old....🤣
The Gill statue on front of Broadcasting house has been covered up, and that whole entrance closed for the last two years however. No idea if they are repairing statue or removing. Either way it’s taking a strangely long amount of time.
That's interesting it's been covered up... seems like they're leaving it in limbo?
is this film available to view in full anywhere? Perhaps on the Internet Archive? I know you said it’s quite short, so I feel like we’ve seen the most of it already, but it’s the kind of thing I find quite cosy to watch sometimes.
Fun fact: in Italy, Gill Sans in its Italic form was used for the logo of the Fininvest and later Mediaset broadcast group founded by Silvio Berlusconi.
Who was also a bit of a nonce.
I still miss him and the idents, but he’s the great father of idents.
Wow I never knew “The Simpsons” were once on the BBC
Yup, BBC1 Saturday nights in 1996 to 97 then weeknights on BBC2 from 1997 to 2004.
Oh Jesus I'm old
@@stickytapenrust6869 I guess seeing them on Sky every day it’s hard to ever remember them on the BBC
Ironically, they were originally a part of the Tracey Ullman Show, which the BBC cut from the show to fit it into a 25 minute slot. So they could have had the original series for no extra cost if they had left it as part of the Ullman Show, but that is the BBC for you.
I feel so old reading this! 😭
LWT Trish (know she done plenty of other narrative roles elsewhere too) certainly adds a nice narrator voice to the branding video.
13:32 "it would’ve have lost it's BBCness"
That’s true the boxes are the best 👌⬛️⬛️⬛️
Nowadays there’s a modern trent to unite all the brands, and the 2021 BBC logo does that. I loved LMB’s work and I don’t think anything will better it for generations. But the current BBC branding is just fine.
Fascinating
He was at the two biggest reinventions, really, but 1997 was the really big one.
Dude, wait this man Eric Gill was legendary artist before the fonts!! ❤❤
20:25 McLeod is pronounced like McLoud.
Martin did the GFX for the News at Nine in '88, one of his first works for The Beeb...
He also relaunched BBC News in 2000 and brought BBC News 24 (BBC News Channel) and BBC World News as part of the digital transformation and by that time, the BBC adopted the boxes not only for news but for BBC Radio, their digital channels, and everything else.
The BBC logo Martin introduced is perfectly fine if a bit bland however the 90's BBC logo indent that ran on BBC videos will always be the classic to look at. 😊
Today it has another new logo.
What a guy
Am I the only one that kept seeing so much of Jack Dee in Martin?!
Martyn ive long been interested in presenttion idents and logos on tv and attempted to sketch them yers ago
7:31 Though to be fair, it's kinda no different compared to the ABC abbreviation being commonly used, like for example, I'm an Australian and while I know many Americans recognize ABC as the American Broadcasting Company, the American network owned by Disney, but in Australia, we know ABC as the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the Aussie equivalent of the BBC. I also hear that an American organization that controls alcohol beverages also goes by ABC, but to them it stands for Alcohol Beverage Control. I'm sure there's more examples around the world of others using the letters ABC.
5:21 he looks a little like Barry Took there! Also this is the year that I was born!
🫶 inspiring!
So glad he got his blue peter badge.
Shhhhhh! For Devils sake. Eric Gill is a legend in the BBC.
17:29 Don't pretend that they're not including Doctor Who as part of the BBC's essential output half way between Sylvester McCoy and RTD
The inclusion by Adam of an alternative Gen Z definition of ‘BBC’ is wholly irrelevant, and yet did give me a wry chuckle 😏
He did saved the company along others.
I'd like to know how BBC Three ended up with their angled logo through, against the design guidelines!