Oprah Winfrey Network Unveils Logo (POLL)

The Oprah Winfrey Network isn't making its debut until January, but the upcoming all-Oprah channel unveiled its new logo on Wednesday:

The logo is certainly bold, but is it beautiful? Tell us what you think in the poll below.

Quick Poll

What do think of the OWN logo?

It's a masterpiece.

It's an eyesore.

Share your vote on Facebook so your friends can take this poll

Comments

[applepies]

09:43 PM on 11/20/2010

I can just see Glenn Beck shrieking, "you see! Oprah wants to own white people. Just like President Obama! I told you! Buy my gold!"

[annieooo]

04:02 PM on 11/19/2010

I wouldn't call it a "masterpiece" or an "eyesore". Everyone has different tastes. I like all 3 colors. I think it's pretty, bright, cheerful and pleasant. Having said that, it isn't something of utmost importance. I look forward to seeing Oprah's new venture. I think SHE is a person of quality and class and love her spirit.

[Gentleman Agitator]

03:08 PM on 11/19/2010

Yeesh! The fact that it spells out the word "own", I actually find kind of creepy.

[charles116]

02:56 PM on 11/19/2010

What was wrong with H A R P O ?

[ZanScott49]

04:51 AM on 11/20/2010

Maybe they were trying to create a distinct separation between her production company and the new network. I do think that HARPO is the better option though, OWN is a bit weird.

[charles116]

02:51 PM on 11/19/2010

According to the 'logic' of the design,
the outer color of the 'O' should be the yellow and gradate to the darker ones
with the red band forming the innermost circle - like the other 2 letters.

[SeconLine]

02:41 PM on 11/19/2010

I'm a commercial artist.

That looks like it was designed by some big shot's relative that wants to break into the business.

[Gentleman Agitator]

03:07 PM on 11/19/2010

So true.

[zelduh]

05:35 AM on 12/05/2010

My graphic designer hubby told me that when you design a logo, you need to make sure it looks good in black and white because you want it to be recognizable in faxes and photocopies. NBC's multi-colored peacock is still recognizable, as is CBS's "eye" logo and ABC's lowercase "abc" in a circle.

with all those shades of color, I wonder how OWN looks in a photocopy . . .

[tyrant510]

05:14 AM on 11/02/2010

it's awkwardly drawn. the gradient lines within the letters do not follow through to the serifs (unfortunate use of serifs, to boot), creating a distracting and sloppy visual effect. this logo will be even less effective when printed small or in one color. it lacks an iconic look. the colors are cheap. i'm wondering what firm did this logo--it's unfortunate.

[jdiary]

02:19 PM on 11/19/2010

Yeah, I agree with you on the cheap colors. I guess an argument could be made that the use serifs make it timeless? Nah, it's just plain unappealing...

[Teabagging4Jesus]

06:15 AM on 11/01/2010

Bold!

[zelduh]

05:36 AM on 12/05/2010

OK. That's one of the words I might use to describe it. . . .

[harriettubman]

08:51 PM on 10/31/2010

Is Oprah's last season over in May 2011 or December 2010? I thought a season started in Sept and went until Spring?

[Lahonda]

04:22 PM on 10/31/2010

The message is mixed because of the connotation within the word itself. I'm 50/50 on the choice, regardless of the rainbow effect.

[BenNC]

02:45 PM on 11/19/2010

Yeah, I agree, This isn't an Abbreviation, it's a word with its own meaning.

[gemini2]

12:54 PM on 10/31/2010

It does the job except for the unprofessional grade-school-classroom colors.

[Dionita]

12:05 PM on 10/31/2010

We don’t need such an ostentatious reminder that Oprah OWN’S the world.

[toocoldout]

07:38 PM on 10/31/2010

Actually we do need the reminder. After centuries of slavery, what a powerful reminder that an African American can OWN her own business and not be a slave to anyone. After centuries of women being property of men or financially dependent on their husbands, what a powerful message to see a WOMAN own her own empire with no man who can tell her what to do. The name is brilliant on so many levels.

[MaryEllen Richards]

08:15 PM on 10/31/2010

And the church says ... AMEN!

[pinkladee]

12:18 AM on 11/01/2010

Excellent post.......F/Fd

[Dionita]

12:38 PM on 11/01/2010

Thanks. I needed that as a reminder not to post when I am feeling snarky. I stand so corrected.

[jdiary]

02:17 PM on 11/19/2010

Hey, this place would be no fun without a little snarkiness. Keep it up...

[gwensgal]

12:52 AM on 10/31/2010

It's nice and bright. It will be attractive in the credits at the end of shows and in the bottom corner of the tv screen during shows. Hope they have a transparent version; I hate when a channel logo is a distraction while a show is on.

[Gert Oja]

11:47 AM on 10/31/2010

Why would they not have one?

[gwensgal]

12:08 PM on 10/31/2010

I would guess for the same reason other channel's don't: because no one has thought about it. For the viewers of OWN, I'm hoping someone thinks about it.

[enigma2]

04:31 PM on 10/31/2010

I agree especially those on PBS they sometimes have two logos. Very annoying.

[tttony]

04:40 PM on 10/31/2010

So you're the person who watches PBS.

[Stephen Stafford]

06:52 PM on 10/30/2010

I have reviewed a good number of the comments. I see almost no one seeking to unpack the use of color and shape of the design. Guess I'll share my impressions. Feel free to weigh in (note to HP editors and such: I could do this as a featured column for you, just sayin'...)

O W N feels layered to me, beyond Oprah Winfrey Network and the fact that she owns it. I think it also represents buy in for the potential viewers, who should expect to achieve a greater sense of ownership of her/his values and life from participation on the network. Note I said participation, not viewership? Ownership requires Participation.

The O is spiritually red (in my faith community red is the color of the Holy Spirit, which resides in each believers heart and provides guidance. The red modulates to a golden center: wouldn't that be a great discovery for every viewer?

The W is a strong green, representing aliveness, with a lighter shade on the outer perimeters, standing for perpetual new growth. That is what the Oprah Winfrey brand does, after all, y'all.

The N is purple. Now that is exciting. Purple is a royal color. High ranking persons in religious communities often are signified by wearing purple. The prospect of a network that seeks to be a cut above, with spiritual values, is exciting to me. Non-believers don't freak out; nothing here will harm you. OWN just seeks to help.

Big Wow.

[The JillyBean]

08:20 PM on 10/30/2010

the use of colors is frilly and excessive. She should have stuck to a good strong color for the "OWN" and made a character (not unlike the NBC peacock) to use colors. Using a single color would convey a sense of longevity, purpose and strength. Right now it looks like an ill conceived attempt at inclusiveness. Maybe she ought to have considered using a single color to show what makes us all the same, rather than the chaos of what makes us all different. I say it's a sucky logo, that could not have been worse conceived if it had been done by crowd sourcing, or the receptionist using Wordart in PowerPoint. A big thumbs down!

[James Hertz]

09:47 PM on 10/30/2010

This is just your opinion mostly, a single color does not convey a sense of longevity, purpose, nor strength, all these things are up to the viewer to believe. The colors do not have to represent us in any way and it is not chaotic. It seems as though you are not used to looking at different colors so to you it looks chaotic. In my opinion I see the use of three different colors, not a big deal at all, they all appear a shade toned down, and it does not stand out much especially when used as a logo, and it really doesn't mean much of anything. I say it's an okay logo.

[Lahonda]

04:29 PM on 10/31/2010

Won't fit on a bumper sticker, for the viewer's sake.

If you ask someone, "We have ten minutes, what say we go get a burger and some fries?" Even if the listener hates their products, they still have to "walk around" the thought of going to McDonalds before they chose another, better provider of the fare, that they prefer.

I can't see this happening with Oprah's new logo. People won't be owned by OWN, in my opinion.

And I love Oprah for all that she does!

[Stephen Stafford]

05:30 PM on 10/31/2010

Of course people won't be owned by OWN. I anticipate just the opposite happening! Viewers will feel a sense of ownership and participation in OWN products and shows. I expect OWN to ehance one's personal sense of empowerment, reminding persons of what they do own and have charge of. This isn't far fetched, it is simply another facet of buy-in that could really be quite exciting.

[ArjenBoatsma]

05:43 PM on 10/30/2010

Oprah has turned an entire generation into touchy-feely whiners.

[Stephen Stafford]

06:38 PM on 10/30/2010

Aren't you the enlightened one; how come your comment feels like whining? Have you been watching Oprah as well?

[The JillyBean]

06:45 PM on 10/30/2010

Any woman or person with gumption would not be sitting around watching her drivel. She gave up being relevant about ten years ago.

[The JillyBean]

06:44 PM on 10/30/2010

I agree. And her "giveaways" are the epitome of undeserved entitlement. We used to believe in reward for work, but now we'll just settle for unearned luxuries, that do nothing to promote self worth or achievement. This is why we have a consumer nation in financial crisis. It was a mess of our own making.

[Stephen Stafford]

07:05 PM on 10/30/2010

JillyBean Grinch-Scrooge, how did you come to re-brand gifts as "undeserved entitlement". That phrase does not even make sense. No one in the audience is panting, "gimme gimme". They happen to be there at the time she is feeling like indulging someone with her largesse. How dare you make the receivers seem like some welfare cheat.
Who are you to say who deserves a gift? Gifts always promote self-worth. To blame Oprah's gifting for the financial mess...WTF?

Fear not. Here is my gift to you, an open plea to Oprah.

Dear Miss Oprah,

Please take a few dollars out of your zillions and gift JillyBean Grinch-Scrooge with an enhanced sense of decency and shame. Help this soul not begrudge other's good fortune. Provide Grinch-Scrooge with the resources and consultations needed for this intervention. And Miss Oprah, please gift JillyBean Grinch-Scrooge with a big ole hug.

[toocoldout]

07:55 PM on 10/30/2010

Actually no one has done more to promote rewards for hard work than Oprah, a woman who was raised with every disadvantage imaginable (poor, very black, sexually abused, pregnant at 14, drug problems, weight problems, illegitimate) and through hard work and incredible talent and savvy, transformed herself into the richest and most philanthropic African American of all time and the most influential woman EVER! Her very existence is the living embodiment of reward for hard work and the giveaways she does on TV do more to promote altruism and pro-social behavior than anything else in the culture, indeed a study even proved that people become more generous after watching an uplifting clip on Oprah. Rosie deserves a ton of credit too since she actually started the trend of audience giveaways in the 1990s.