A sense of humour is one reason I live where I do. It’s also one of the many reasons I don’t mind traveling to the UK on and off. Yes, that tidy island off the coast of France has quite the local sense of humour.
The British feed the world with their own brand of comedy via the likes of: Peter Sellers, the Goons, Roan Atkinson, Charlie Chapman, Spike Milligan, John Cleese, Stephen Fry, Ben Elton, Michael Palin, Marty Feldman, Peter Sellers, Peter Cook and Dudley Moore.
And I can’t resist mentioning a few comedies the Americans twicked: Till Death Do Us Part (Archie Bunker), Man About the House (Three’s Company), and Robin’s Nest (Three’s a Crowd).
So when the OGC logo came into view, I thought it was yet another pull. (Note: the OGC is UK’s Office of Government Commerce (OGC) – the HM Treasury tentacle “responsible for improving value for money by driving up standards and capability in procurement”).
From the Register: UK Office of Government Commerce cracks one off
According to an inside source, the graphic had allegedly already been inscribed onto mousemats and pens in anticipation of its imminent deployment, but it took OGC foot soldiers around 20 seconds to realise why this particular bit of joss-stick-driven madness was going to end in tears (of laughter):
From the Telegraph: OGC unveils new logo to red faces
When asked about this oversight, a spokesman for OGC said: “…it is not inappropriate to an organisation that’s looking to have a firm grip on Government spend.”
OH, my. my my my.
So I popped off an email to British logo designer David Airey, complete with what I’d found. David emailed back with resources of his own (some used in this post), as well as a quote:
“Having a firm grip (on Government spend) is of vital importance. The last thing you want is to go shooting from the hip in all directions. The voting public could easily be left with a bad taste – not good policy.”
[Grins] followed by [Wider Grins] … gotta love a Brit of Humour!
So, what do you think? Is the logo a keeper? Is the British government taking the micky? And / or, are they taking this design snafu in their stride?
Technorati Tags: Branders, British, humor, humour, logo, OGC
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I think it’s a keeper for the comedy value. It’s not often at all when the British Government see the lighter side of things.
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Governments take themselves WAY too serious, so I do hope they keep it.
After two years of the French experience, I exited with French Immigration yelling, “but it is zee French law!” (long story).
Walking backwards I yelled back, “French law? Whan an oxymoron!”
Arrived at Heathrow immigration in 2000, I received the stern, “we are not amused” version of British Government.
Bone-tired from packing up a house, going to leaving parties, then the long flight from Brunei to the UK, I stepped up to the counter and handed over my passport.
He’s flipping through the pages then asks, “so, how long is your visit?”
“I’ve come for good”, says I.
Finding no paperwork, the guy totally freaks. Forgets all the good manners his mother pounded in as a lad.
Now, where’s the fun in that?
I didn’t see it at first… the first hint was when you mentioned David Airey, because I remember that post. So I tooked at it for a while… oh! That is… unfortunate?
“That is… unfortunate?”
That’s what I thought. But you know, maybe this’ll be the first of many warm and fuzzy Government interactions with the public? They’ve always kept so straight and boring, with their populations having a grand time. Time for a change?
Yeah, I agree. It could be time to bring the funny in… it would be even better if they actually recognised it before they approved the logo – you’d have to love them for that.
Or maybe they did? Thinking it’d be better to settle for the “whoops” than criticism from the straight-laced elements of society?
I mean, just looking at the comment their spokesman made to the press makes me question their wanting to distance themselves from this ‘snafu’.
“…it is not inappropriate to an organisation that’s looking to have a firm grip on Government spend.”
Makes you think, yes?
I personally prefer the animated version of the vertical OGC logo image that is entertaining many out there in cyber-space…
Oh dear.
[I don't know whether to cover my eyes or giggle nervously or both]
And here I thought my post was too racy!
(this is not the about.com forum :-D
This is very interesting! I have enjoyed reading this very insightful post. Very engaging and informative. Thanks for sharing.
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I agree with what Cat said. Governments take themselves WAY too seriously. Keep the logo and put some humor back into a place that lost it centuries ago.
In an age where everything has become painfully politically correct, it’s charming and disarming to see an organization take a firm grasp of their situation and defuse a potentially embarrassing climax to a story without help or hindrance. I for one, applaud their spunk!
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Chris@ Exactly. Governments don’t need to let it ‘all’ hang out, but relaxing a little bit would help.
Tom@ And I applaud your grasp of the English ;-)
Oh, Tom – you are BAD and I’ve always liked that about you!
I like it, I’m sure it was deliberate… most civil servants spend their time down the pub so it’s pretty apt.
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At first I didn’t see it and then ‘BAM’ now all I can see is it. LOL!
Quite amusing, indeed.
Matt@ I read that on one of the articles going around. I’ve meet a lot of civil servants overseas and they always seem to be having fun :-)
Danita@ Yeah, and what a BAM is is! I’d love to be in the UK right now, getting comments from the old folks (now that’d be a lark)
I’d imagine that working in a goverment office can’t be too exciting, least this gives the staff a giggle as they rise their company mug or use their mouse mat during their working day! Wonder if they will now use this for the male toilet signs internally, then, maybe they can pay the designers another £14,000 to desgin the female version too!!
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“maybe they can pay the designers another £14,000 to desgin the female version too!!”
Oh dear. I can only imagine what it’d look like …
And I imagine the Oil and Gas Commission would be also be interested.