To the untrained eye, the Universal emblem might look like an old animated logo hidden in the lockers of the Universal studio but, if you are a designer, you will notice the subtle changes.
F9: The Fast Saga, the ninth installment of the Fast & Furious franchise, has used an old Universal Pictures logo from the 1980s.
Unlike other big-budget films, Universal has chosen to remain modest in its logo selection for its big release, albeit with a few changes. The use of the retro logo seems perfect because it appears consistent with the first scene of the film.
The opening scene deals with the death of Dom’s father on the race tracks in 1989. The opening scene then leads into the old Universal logo transitioning onto the screen—the emblem used in the 1980s.
To the untrained eye, the Universal emblem might look like an old animated logo hidden in the lockers of the Universal studio but, if you are a designer, you will notice the subtle changes. The movie opens with the old MCA version of the Universal logo but without “an MCA company” written on it. The old company name has been replaced by a new one suggesting a change of hands—MCA sold the company in 1996.
Apart from using special animated logos for big releases, Universal has updated its logo over the years. From a simple 1912 logo to the slick and modern 2012 emblem, Universal has upgraded its insignia several times in its 100-year history.
Established in 1912, Universal is the oldest studio in the US. The studio also has the distinction of being one of the “big five” of Hollywood. The first logo of this Hollywood giant featured a simple-looking globe with a thick orbit. “Universal Films” in a candy serif typeface featured just above the orbit. The studio changed its logo several times after its humble beginnings. The changes in the emblem not only symbolized the changing times but also reflected the studio’s internal switches over the years.
The following video depicts how the Universal studio logo evolved with time.
This is not the first time that the Fast & Furious franchise has opened with an altered animated logo. 2 Fast 2 Furious featured a silver car rim with hydraulic sounds. The theme music, which played over the animation, was also replaced by original sound tracks from the film.
F9, the new film from the Fast & Furious franchise, is set to release in the US on June 25. The official trailer has already set the blood pumping as it promises to be another jaw-dropping action-thriller.
Here is the official trailer of F9.
PJ has a background in management consulting and software development. At DesignBro, he combines both. Personal favorite brand of PJ is Jeep.
