Club Badge

[zx10racer22]

Not keen to change the current badge, but after all the owners have done, I think they've earned the right to call the shots.

Of the three options, number 1 is far and away my favourite. Keeps the essence of the old badge shape, just missing the ball.

[paultlb]

Meh, they’re ok and inoffensive. Following the very current design trend on sans serif and flat logos.

While I appreciate the background and design routes, to me they are all quite generic. And dare I say, a bit boring. Especially when you consider the route the kits have taken this year.

Remove the football from #3 and they could quite easily find a home outside a boutique hotel or pretentious restaurant.

Meh is the best I can describe my feeling towards these.

I won’t mind 1 or 3 being chosen as it’s clear it will be one of these three.

[Dylan]

Hats off for the amount of thought and effort put into the explainers sections about the designs.

Some of the critics are edging towards sounding like babies. If you can't see that the current badge has some major flaws you have no sense of style!

[malotru]

Whilst not my favourite, design 1 is what I think will win. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that our USA based owners would like a logo/badge/brand that mimics some of the iconic US sports, especially college football (helmeted version) logos that are instaneously recognisable and fit perfectly on the front of a baseball cap.
There’s also the popularity of Wrexham in the US and maybe our owners think we can tap into that market also. Maybe attract support from the academics of the globally recognised universities in the north eastern states including Harvard which is also based in Cambridge.

[Brophypants]

Jul 10, 2024 13:47:49 GMT Dylan said:

Hats off for the amount of thought and effort put into the explainers sections about the designs.

Some of the critics are edging towards sounding like babies. If you can't see that the current badge has some major flaws you have no sense of style!

I think most people agree the current badge has flaws.

So fix the flaws instead of this nonsense.

[moosehacker]

I like the idea behind option 2, but it just doesn’t work as a badge/crest. It looks awful on the shirt. Option 3 doesn’t look great on the shirt either. Option 1 seems to work the best in my view. It is simple and works well with the sub identities.

[markt]

Jul 10, 2024 13:19:39 GMT Jerry1971 said:

Jul 10, 2024 13:02:08 GMT imp566 said:

One glaring omission, that some have pointed out, is the lack of the club motto. Given Badge No1 is circular and doesn't really identify Cambridge United from other CUFCs, why not add 'United in Endeavour' in a semi circle around the bottom half.

If I had graphic design software, I would try and mock it up, but that's for another person to try!

The video shows UIE, '1912' and Marvin as 'identities' to work alongside the chosen crest - it is all quite cleverly done and I really don't understand branding but even I get it!

Have a look at the video, it makes it all make more sense.

Just watched the video and it comes across really well, regardless if you like or hate what's been offered it has been done in a very good way and does make me think differently about the options - well done to those concerned.

[stuartk]

I’m a bit underwhelmed by all three - and I’d consider myself pro-change.

I think that flat, monochrome look can work fine in some contexts but it shouldn’t be the default badge.

No. 1 is a clear River Plate rip-off. It reminds me of when Forest Green used to have a knock-off Barcelona badge on their shirts.

No. 2 has no relevance to our football club. So by default I’d go for No. 3. At least it’s a bit different and noteworthy and references some actual club heritage.

[Dylan]

Jul 10, 2024 14:17:05 GMT Brophypants said:

Jul 10, 2024 13:47:49 GMT Dylan said:

Hats off for the amount of thought and effort put into the explainers sections about the designs.

Some of the critics are edging towards sounding like babies. If you can't see that the current badge has some major flaws you have no sense of style!

I think most people agree the current badge has flaws.

So fix the flaws instead of this nonsense.

So if you have a background in design, please show me the modernised version of the current badge? It'd be good to see.

Until today, somehow it hadn't clicked with me that the 86 badge uses the old book and ball shield then just stuck a football and CU in the middle.

[Exiled]

Jul 10, 2024 13:33:53 GMT Dylan said:

cdn.cambridgeunited.com/sites/default/files/styles/cc_2000x1125/public/2024-07/Cambridge%20United%20book%20and%20ball%2022.png?h=0950101b&itok=po0m6hCr

I like the way the hoodie in the middle has the United in Endeavour tagline on the sleeve. I also like the way it says just 'United' in the "extracted" book and ball. Quite ballsy to go with United in that way because, let's face it, most people mean Manchester when they say just United. I would quite enjoy telling people, "That's Cambridge United, thank you very much."

Yes, this looks quite good without the clunky thick border around it.

#3 without the border please

[imp566]

The video is great in explaining the context behind the designs to the fans making their choice, some real thought has gone into these, especially the least popular design 2, with reference to the shape of windows in iconic buildings in the City.

However, this context will be lost to those who aren't from Cambridge or who don't support the club when the chosen design is released, which will leave many questions for the uninitiated when they see it.

[barry]

As this is a re-branding exercise the club, or their partners, should have a good idea which of these will bring in the most revenue. All the same or is one more corporate friendly than others?

The first would be the best if you could distinguish between Carlisle, Colchester and us.

[Dylan]

Jul 10, 2024 15:52:38 GMT barry said:

As this is a re-branding exercise the club, or their partners, should have a good idea which of these will bring in the most revenue. All the same or is one more corporate friendly than others?

The first would be the best if you could distinguish between Carlisle, Colchester and us.

Well, the colour scheme does that...

[spyros]

Jul 10, 2024 13:47:49 GMT Dylan said:

Hats off for the amount of thought and effort put into the explainers sections about the designs.

Some of the critics are edging towards sounding like babies. If you can't see that the current badge has some major flaws you have no sense of style!

I suspect this is current best practice amongst agencies, mainly to minimise the immediate 'my (age of child) could do better' reactions.

Graphic designers are held in a similar level of disregard as estate agents and restaurants that serve meals on pieces of slate, so literally anything they produce will be shot down.

[andycufc]

I do like the little 1912 lamp post icon that comes as part of the asparagus package… and the ‘United’ book and ball when it’s extracted from the shield. Also enjoyed the video. Impressed by the approach the club is taking this time round.

I’d probably pick 3; my kids both like 1. I don’t mind really, it’s not going to affect my relationship with the club in any way. Paul Barry has decided a change would be beneficial, and I don’t believe he’d force a change like this through for the sake of it. I don’t buy the ‘vanity project’ paranoia.

Now let’s have a signing or two!