Why on earth did they leave the apple logo off the front ??

[satchmo]

Personally I wouldn’t have minded a small silver apple logo. Not unlike what they did with the iMac G4. Silver on whatever light pastel colour you choose, will be subtle and tasteful.

I think the logo just adds a bit of caché to the product. Yes, it’s branding, but people buy stuff for that reason. Not necessarily to show off, but to say they belong to this ‘tribe’. It’s not unlike so many other things in life from the badge on a car to a crocodile on a polo shirt.

 

[kmj2318]

Copied from my other comment:
I prefer it with no logo. A $10,000 refrigerator has no logos on the front, but Samsungs and Maytags do. Nearly every product at Design Within Reach has no logos. None of my furniture has logos, I don’t know why I need my computer to. The logos are to benefit the companies, not me. I’m not looking to broadcast a company’s logo or stare at one all day. My favorite sneakers (Common Projects) don’t have a logo. Just about every Yeezy sneaker hides the logo where it’s hard to see, and the designs are iconic without relying on logos. Compared to a Nike where they slap a giant logo on the side, which looks way more pedestrian. A surface can just be blank imo. I really don’t know how a logo benefits me. Imagine putting logos on dishes, pots, and vases because the blank surface feels too plain. People who design products for the home usually know to put logos on the bottom and let the object just exist. When designers add logos, it’s to invade the users’ space with their business goals.

If you look at any image from Dwell or Architectural Digest, you’ll see no logos. These new iMacs fit in better with elegant home designs than the previous ones.

It's really not an odd design decision. It's a very clear one. I think maybe the preferences that people have for tech is way different for people's preferences for home goods, which is too bad. I wonder if people want their computer to feel more like a commercial product than a home appliance. Most people would rather have a stove that has no logos, though you have to pay more for those. Logos are to make me feel more connected to the brand, not to make the product better for me. Have you ever seen iPhone mockups, or early "iWatch" fan concepts where they put the Apple logo on the front of the device? Looks ridiculous. These same designers would probably put logos on refrigerators. Seriously, look around your house and see how many flat, rectangular surfaces have no logos. Go in your bathroom, chances are your sink, toilet, and shower have no logos (I hope, at least). And often, to have fewer logos in your home means that you have to spend more.

The main issue imo is just that people are used to it being there. Interestingly, no one feels like "something is missing" when they look at their logoless couch and ottoman. But when things that normally have logos don't, it feels like something is missing, for example, logoless watch faces give people that feeling, but imo it's only because people are used to having the logos.

 

[anthony13]

Honestly, if you put the logo there, it exposes that Apple essentially hasn't really changed the design. Sure the stand is a little different, but as multiple photoshopped images have shown, put the logo there and give it black bezels, and it essentially looks like the same iMac we've had for the past 10+ years.

 

[familychoice]

Regardless of whether anyone thinks it looks better or worse, leaving the logo off the front is just a weird thing to do. From TV’s, HiFi’s, to tins of beans - company branding is usually placed in a prominent location. So not on the back where no-one sees it, then.

And as there’s such a great big blank ‘chin’ there just waiting for it to be slapped on, the decision seems even weirder. Like a white label product, waiting to be shipped off to be re-branded by a thrid-party retailer.

Like a classic VW camper that’s had its badge nicked by rogues.

Would it stop me buying one? No (though the price for a decent spec might). But it‘s certainly made me think twice about it. Half the fun in owning an Apple product is enjoying the cool design of the thing, and this (to me anyway), takes a bit of that coolness away.

 

[za9ra22]

Regardless of whether anyone thinks it looks better or worse, leaving the logo off the front is just a weird thing to do. From TV’s, HiFi’s, to tins of beans - company branding is usually placed in a prominent location. So not on the back where no-one sees it, then.

I've already provided my opinion on the absence of the logo and I doubt there's any reason to repeat it, but two things spring to mind about this:

Firstly, in the sense of products such as the tin of beans, the branding is present so the consumer can tell which to pick off the shelf to buy. Simple and practical.

Secondly, 'so not on the back where no-one sees it, then'.... according to Apple their expectation is that most people will see the iMac from the back, hence they put the logo (and the 'bright colors') there - to be seen. I don't know if they're right (they will be in my case, almost nobody other than me will see it from the front, but dozens and dozens will see it from the back), but my personal guess is that they gave this quite a bit of thought.

 

[familychoice]

I've already provided my opinion on the absence of the logo and I doubt there's any reason to repeat it, but two things spring to mind about this:

Firstly, in the sense of products such as the tin of beans, the branding is present so the consumer can tell which to pick off the shelf to buy. Simple and practical.

Secondly, 'so not on the back where no-one sees it, then'.... according to Apple their expectation is that most people will see the iMac from the back, hence they put the logo (and the 'bright colors') there - to be seen. I don't know if they're right (they will be in my case, almost nobody other than me will see it from the front, but dozens and dozens will see it from the back), but my personal guess is that they gave this quite a bit of thought.

As the 24” is aimed at the consumer market, I’m guessing most will be placed against a wall.

I’m sure they have given it a lot of thought, but doesn’t mean they’ve got it right.

Just looks unfinished to me, or like a cheaper clone. I bet they put it back for the next redesign.

 

[za9ra22]

...but doesn’t mean they’ve got it right....

Certainly true. They have made some quite egregious errors of judgement in the past, though rarely in design. And it struck me as interesting that in the product announcement video, they specifically mentioned the placement of the colors as being that most people would see the system from the back.

I never gave that a thought, because in my case it's certainly true. Either way though, it will be interesting to see how this iteration of iMac design evolves.

 

[familychoice]

Certainly true. They have made some quite egregious errors of judgement in the past, though rarely in design. And it struck me as interesting that in the product announcement video, they specifically mentioned the placement of the colors as being that most people would see the system from the back.

I never gave that a thought, because in my case it's certainly true. Either way though, it will be interesting to see how this iteration of iMac design evolves.

Certainly in a lot of open plan offices you may get to see the back of monitors, schools etc. maybe, but in most of the offices I’ve worked in, and how computers are normally sited in home use, you tend to see the front of a computer more than the back.

To hide the branding away on the rear is just daft, considering the billions spent every year on promoting, and establishing brand loyalty. If it was left off so they could keep the bezels ultra-thin it’d be understandable. But as it is.....just a weird decision.

I guess they’re so big and famous it doesn’t matter.

 

[za9ra22]

Certainly in a lot of open plan offices you may get to see the back of monitors, schools etc. maybe, but in most of the offices I’ve worked in, and how computers are normally sited in home use, you tend to see the front of a computer more than the back.

To hide the branding away on the rear is just daft, considering the billions spent every year on promoting, and establishing brand loyalty. If it was left off so they could keep the bezels ultra-thin it’d be understandable. But as it is.....just a weird decision.

I guess they’re so big and famous it doesn’t matter.

I would guess that it isn't so much that the fame doesn't matter as that they reckon in a home environment, users don't need a logo - they know what it is because they bought it!

In an office environment it is not uncommon for system users to have no idea what branding their system(s) have, but then in my experience they don't generally care.

I must admit that I like the cleaner appearance with no logo on the front, but there was a somewhat similar criticism when the original G4 Mac mini was released - it had a logo on the top panel, but not the front, and some were quite incensed by that.

 

[familychoice]

I would guess that it isn't so much that the fame doesn't matter as that they reckon in a home environment, users don't need a logo - they know what it is because they bought it!

In an office environment it is not uncommon for system users to have no idea what branding their system(s) have, but then in my experience they don't generally care.

I must admit that I like the cleaner appearance with no logo on the front, but there was a somewhat similar criticism when the original G4 Mac mini was released - it had a logo on the top panel, but not the front, and some were quite incensed by that.

The Mini would have been plugged into a display though - which would most likely have a logo on the front if it was an Apple display, or a Dell or HP like I have here.

I don’t think anyone is incensed by this - I’m guessing deep down most people don’t care either way - but the fact this thread exists shows it’s made at least a few question why, and as someone who’s spent nearly all his working life creating and promoting company branding, I just find it an odd thing to do - from an aesthetic and business point of view.

 

[za9ra22]

The Mini would have been plugged into a display though - which would most likely have a logo on the front if it was an Apple display, or a Dell or HP like I have here.

I don’t think anyone is incensed by this - I’m guessing deep down most people don’t care either way - but the fact this thread exists shows it’s made at least a few question why, and as someone who’s spent nearly all his working life creating and promoting company branding, I just find it an odd thing to do - from an aesthetic and business point of view.

Indeed, the monitor I used had an HP logo, but that doesn't mean anyone knew I was using an Apple system - in fact they didn't. Surely not just any logo would do?!

And yes, people were incensed then, and some have been now. Personally, I find that more than a little puzzling, but people are sometimes puzzling anyway.

Not to question your experience, because there's no reason why I would, or should, I would point to Apple's own video, where they say they believe people will see this from the back. That being their view, they seem to have put the branding where they feel it best to go.

 

[Maconplasma]

Regardless of whether anyone thinks it looks better or worse, leaving the logo off the front is just a weird thing to do. From TV’s, HiFi’s, to tins of beans - company branding is usually placed in a prominent location. So not on the back where no-one sees it, then.

And as there’s such a great big blank ‘chin’ there just waiting for it to be slapped on, the decision seems even weirder. Like a white label product, waiting to be shipped off to be re-branded by a thrid-party retailer.

Like a classic VW camper that’s had its badge nicked by rogues.

Would it stop me buying one? No (though the price for a decent spec might). But it‘s certainly made me think twice about it. Half the fun in owning an Apple product is enjoying the cool design of the thing, and this (to me anyway), takes a bit of that coolness away.

I was quite clear in the keynote why the logo isn't there. Not sure why people keep talking about this day after day. It's not gonna change anything.

 

[familychoice]

I would point to Apple's own video, where they say they believe people will see this from the back. That being their view, they seem to have put the branding where they feel it best to go.

I think me and Apple will have to agree to disagree on that one.

Not sure why people keep talking about this day after day. It's not gonna change anything.

I guess because this is a forum where people talk about Apple stuff?

 

[Maconplasma]

I guess because this is a forum where people talk about Apple stuff?

No, this is a forum where people beat dead horses as if they think there will be success at the end of the road. Also it's stupid to keep talking about the logo not being on the front. It's a done deal and people need to let it go. Be real about it this is nothing but Apple bashing because if any other computer company suddenly took the logo off the front of their PC's nobody would say a word or even care.

 

[familychoice]

if any other computer company suddenly took the logo off the front of their PC's nobody would say a word or even care.

And you think that’s a good thing?

 

[za9ra22]

I think me and Apple will have to agree to disagree on that one.

And which of you is the better off between you and Apple?

 

[za9ra22]

And you think that’s a good thing?

I think that's really is what's called beating a dead horse!

 

[familychoice]

And which of you is the better off between you and Apple?

What’s that got to do with having an opinion about one of their products? Are we not allowed to chat about things they do because they have more money than us?

Maybe there should be guidelines on what we can, and can’t discuss on here?

I think that's really is what's called beating a dead horse!

No, it’s a relevant response to their comment. People are posting about this because they care about the company they’ve invested their hard cash into. If they didn’t comment, and didn’t care, then that’s the time to worry.

 

[za9ra22]

What’s that got to do with having an opinion about one of their products? Are we not allowed to chat about things they do because they have more money than us?

Not only did I not remotely suggest that, but also, to take your point logically, am I not allowed to respond to your point in whatever way I see fit?

Respectfully, my point is that between your opinion and Apple's, I would personally bet on Apple. And yes, that prolonging the 'debate' really is flogging a dead horse. You can watch the video where the iMac was announced and see Apple's reasoning for yourself. I rather think that every point regarding that design decision has already been made, amongst which is that you don't agree.

 

[trip1ex]

Minimalism. Really there is no reason to be staring at the logo while using the iMac. They probably realized that the same reason they made fun of the Intel inside logos applies here as well to some degree.

 

[familychoice]

I rather think that every point regarding that design decision has already been made, amongst which is that you don't agree.

I've only just joined the thread, and wanted to add my opinion along with the rest. You seem to have an issue with that.

As a designer, who's worked on corporate branding for nearly 30 years, I just wanted to add my two pence worth. Just because a company does things well most of the time, doesn't mean they don't make the occasional bad decision, or that things can't be improved.

I'll butt out now since my comments are unwelcome, but regardless of how big and clever Apple are, and how great the new 'minimalist' design looks to some people, from a professional perspective I still think it's a strange thing to do.

 

[satchmo]

I've only just joined the thread, and wanted to add my opinion along with the rest. You seem to have an issue with that.

As a designer, who's worked on corporate branding for nearly 30 years, I just wanted to add my two pence worth. Just because a company does things well most of the time, doesn't mean they don't make the occasional bad decision, or that things can't be improved.

I'll butt out now since my comments are unwelcome, but regardless of how big and clever Apple are, and how great the new 'minimalist' design looks to some people, from a professional perspective I still think it's a strange thing to do.

Yeah, it's the online culture...being anonymous gives people a licence to be rude and 'brave'.

I wouldn't pay attention to those don't understand what civil discussion on a forum means.
Just put them on ignore, and enjoy your time here.

 

[za9ra22]

You seem to have an issue with that.

I do have a problem with misrepresentation, that was an example.

I don't have an issue with your opinion, and I have explained my point of view. It doesn't seem complicated. Or personal.

 

[kmj2318]

and as someone who’s spent nearly all his working life creating and promoting company branding, I just find it an odd thing to do - from an aesthetic and business point of view.

Sounds like you are in your own bubble. People who design products for the home know to put logos where people can't see them.

To hide the branding away on the rear is just daft, considering the billions spent every year on promoting

IMO, it's a pro-consumer move. All of your evidence for it being a strange choice keeps coming back to business goals. Which I think is the point. A standard refrigerator has logos on it, because it helps the company, not the user. A luxury refrigerator doesn't have logos on its front, you have to pay more for the privilege of not having logos. Look at any high end interior design publication and see if you can find logos in their images. Saying that hiding branding is daft is a silly thing to say. Would you say that people who design couches, desks, bookshelves, don't know what they're doing? The comparison that they are shooting for is a home product or high end appliance, not a can of beans. I don't understand the comparison. A can of beans needs to be identified on a shelf of many other beans. A computer on your desk is obviously your computer. You don't need a logo on a toilet or a shower either. You realize that Crate and Barrel and The Pottery Barn don't slap the logo on all their products? Do you consider that a bad move?

Aesthetically, I think it's pretty obvious what Apple is going for. Since you brought up packaged food...

Aesthetically, it's clear what Apple is going for here. For someone to be confused about their direction with removing the front logo is hard for me to believe.

It's hard to believe that you spent a significant amount of time in branding. Because it sounds like your concept of branding revolves around logos. Why is that Yeezy's are the most sought after sneakers and they have no logos? Or what about the Herman Miller Embody chair? Is it a mistake that they hide the logos? If your only concern is Apple's branding goals then I could see being confused about removing a logo. But, believe it or not, a lot of people don't want to have logos showing in their home, which in return, increases the value of the brand. It's funny how Herman Miller hides their logos, but gaming chair makers slap logos on their products, yet Herman Miller is still the premier brand with high loyalty.

I fixed the Embody, btw.

Now I will always know that my chair is by Herman Miller, and I will feel positive towards the company for polluting my space with their icon. Also, the old one looked too plain, and you can't have plain surfaces anywhere in your house. Now it's obvious that this is made by Herman Miller, the one without the logo looked like a cheap knockoff. My next step is to redesign my Pottery Barn dining table. It looks like a cheap knockoff because it doesn't say "Pottery Barn" directly in the middle of the plain table. I need to be able to identify the brand of my home furnishings at all times.

 

[tomtad]

I think people are looking into this far too much. I'm sure Apple looked at a version with a logo on the front and thought they'd go for something a bit different this time with the iMac.

There is precedent, in fact I can't think of any Apple product that has a logo on the front. I'm using my MacBook now and I can't see an Apple logo.