Here was me having a not so bad Monday for once and then bamn! I see the new London 2012 Olympic logo. I would say I’m left speechless but it’s more muttering and bashing my head against my keyboard. For those of you lucky enough to not see the dog’s dinner (actually I’ve seen better designed dog’s dinners) here is it in all it’s ugly for you.

Fear not should you not like pink though as it comes in a further variety of vomit inducing colours - yes it’s a pick and choose wreck of a logo.

See it was about at the point of seeing it I had the ‘it couldn’t get worse’ thought bounce across my mind… then I went to the website. Oh yes there could be something worse than this logo and it is the website! I am giving this link with a warning it may promote a serious reaction to not make you happy on this Monday. With that warning given my I ashamedly introduce you to what is the London 2012 olympic website.

The only point I can think of that is in it’s favor is it’s not using tables, it comes to something when that is all you can say that is good about a website in these times. They didn’t even bother to actually run it through a validator after declaring XHTML strict either.

If you want to put yourself through more torture you can even watch a video about the brand. As the site says though (and yes I am quoting) “Sounds best with headphones”, I’m adding “should be viewed with vomit bucket”. Really don’t get me wrong I love graffiti / street art (I’m hazarding a guess at this being the logic (using word sparingly) behind this branding) and I’m all for the concept “everyone being involved”. This logo though does nothing but cheapen the brand and show the rest of the world that we are pants at design - which we aren’t. I’m getting the distinct impression that this logo is a case of concept winning over talent and executed by a colour blind monkey. If you look at the vast array of quality designers in our country and then this is what we come up with, it beggars belief. This was a missed chance to show the rest of the world how much talent and quality there is in design within the UK.

If you fancy laughing at them wolff olins are the ‘genius’ behind this carbuncle of a branding. I’ve heard varying amounts of stupid money they got for this (£200,000 - £400,000 range) which probably explains why they aren’t falling on their swords in embarrassment over such a hideous branding but laughing all the way to the bank.