19 comments

  • Mike MulveyMike Mulvey, 9 years ago

    Maybe mister big time is a perv. I didn't catch the sexual symbolism. What I see is an "A" made by two interlocking b's, forming an upside-down heart.

    Khoi says he can't imagine what went into creating it. Actually, he can, because they've laid it out beautifully on their site: http://www.wearedesignstudio.com/works/airbnb-process/

    If Airbnb had crowdsourced a crappy logo over the weekend, they'd be chastised for spending too little time on it. Instead they hire professionals to put thought and meaning into it and they get smacked down.

    You're damned if you do and you're damned if you don't.

    I personally live by the gospel of Andy Warhol:

    “Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it's good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.”

    22 points
    • Eric H.Eric H., 9 years ago (edited 9 years ago )

      Don't forget the map pin shape in the middle, too. Or is that actually a...

      http://www.buzzfeed.com/katienotopoulos/18-things-that-look-like-the-new-airbnb-logo

      0 points
    • Eric BoyerEric Boyer, 9 years ago

      Agreed, though I wish we lived in a time where everyone didn't just choose to hate everything. There's rarely positivity around changes in this industry: the fastest growing/changing industry.

      4 points
    • Todd BurtonTodd Burton, 9 years ago

      We don't design in a vacuum. They had articles out about the new brand before it was released, and the 'here's what and why' information is smack dab on the home page. They are inviting conversation about it. You can't do that and expect everything to come up roses, both design wise and meaning wise.

      To me, it looks like a butt. I'm not saying it's good, bad, awesome, terrible, awful, or anything otherwise. That was my first thought when seeing something that was purposefully put in front of me to consider. They're trying to tell me it's a symbol for belonging. I'm saying I see a butt. That's the back and forth you get in design.

      The fact that what they're saying about their new brand and how it seems to overreach - I can't say I disagree with him. Maybe it wasn't put in the nicest way, but that doesn't make it wrong.

      2 points
  • Alex JohnAlex John, 9 years ago

    I agree with what the logo looks like but this guy sounds so pretentious.

    9 points
  • Darby ✌Darby ✌, 9 years ago

    At first glance I definitely saw a lady part, but I was really delighted by it. I'm for more vulvic symbols in the world.

    7 points
    • Sacha GreifSacha Greif, 9 years ago

      Agreed! We're not 10 anymore, maybe we don't need to be so afraid of sex?

      I think they did in on purpose. After all, where else can you feel that sense of "belonging" more than in your mother's womb?

      5 points
  • Account deleted 9 years ago

    Sigh... so quick to rant about how shitty something is without clearly looking at any of the "behind the scenes" stuff or watching that 3 minute video.

    What bugs me the most is that his post is purely "reactional". Anyone can say something sucks, but unless you can offer some insight as to why you think so - and thoughts on how to make it better, it's pointless drivel.

    I think it's ironic how he's calling them out as being pompous.

    5 points
    • Jim SilvermanJim Silverman, 9 years ago

      yes, the song and dance behind the logo is very nice and well thought out. good fodder for the brand kool-aid.

      but at the end of the day, only designers care about these things. their customers and general public won't watch the video or read articles about the design process before passing judgement. they'll just see an A that kind of looks like balls... then go about their day as planned.

      3 points
  • Clark WimberlyClark Wimberly, 9 years ago

    Things I see before I see balls:

    an upward arrow an A a location marker an upside down heart

    5 points
  • Marc EdwardsMarc Edwards, 9 years ago

    I’m not offended at all by Airbnb’s new Bélo.

    I kind of like it.

    4 points
  • Jahed MomandJahed Momand, 9 years ago (edited 9 years ago )

    Personally I think it's a poorly thought out misstep, with design overstepping its bounds into the business realm. There's no tangibly valuable reason to plaster this redesign document and the thought that went into it all over the front page for customers to see other than mental masturbation and ego-stroking. Bury it in the footer and let us enjoy the new experience. For those who are truly interested in this sort of thing (marketing professionals, designers, etc), we'll find it in the footer or via an email or something.

    3 points
    • Luke ChesserLuke Chesser, 9 years ago

      I completely agree with that. It belongs on the blog etc. but not on the front page.

      Most people I know barely noticed the changes between iOS 6 and iOS 7 — which is about as drastic a change as is possible. Most people just don't care about the details in design, branding, etc.

      3 points
  • Raffaello SanzioRaffaello Sanzio, 9 years ago

    So basically this logo would be more appropriate for CouchSurfing than for Airbnb.

    3 points
  • Shrihari SankaranShrihari Sankaran, 9 years ago

    All criticism aside, on a lighter note this line had me in splits, especially having seen the AirBNB parody Tumblr.

    "The mark looks like an abstraction of ALL the private parts."

    0 points
  • Nathan NNathan N, 9 years ago

    100% agree

    0 points
  • Samantha GSamantha G, 9 years ago

    Phew, glad someone said it.

    0 points
    • Eric BoyerEric Boyer, 9 years ago

      You must of just opened your computer for the first time today. All of humanity has been beating a dead horse since it was released.

      2 points