A New Lion Logo for NYPL

The evolution of The New York Public Library's new logo - with designers' video responses below.

Today's NYPL is about books... and so much more.

It is about ready access to information, providing digital content and reaching out to our communities both locally and globally. For a library moving forward, we needed a new logo design.

A new logo that is user-friendly, accessible, dynamic and relevant.

A new logo that works well in every medium from print, to products, to our website.

This video shows you the evolution of our new Lion Logo.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• NYPL
• Logo
• Lion
• New
• York
• Public
• Library

[Zalenski]

Great update.... modern update while keeping the quiet respect the logo deserves.

[touristinthecity]

I think the lion's head is too embedded in the mane - perhaps deleting just the right-most line, at the jaw, would promote the face into a strong Force. As is, it's a cartoon softly pillowed.

[logodesignlondon]

I am really happy to find some interesting information from your post; i am sure going use for my reference purpose, thank you very much.

[eleni1968]

I agree with Mike. You would have thought they added a beard to Dali's moustashed Mona Lisa. In 10-20 yrs.time, or less, maybe they will change it back to the original from last century!! It was a great reminder why I need to return to the building I had called "home" in grad school & for post-grad studies. I feel bad that the City, MAyor Bloomberg, didn't make it possible to allow the mid-Manhattan to remain.

[mikepalomino]

Patience and Fortitude - not just the name of the lions - but also what one needs to read these negative comments posted by myopic and parochial reviewers.

Give me a break!

The new logo is fine. It is clean, bold and easily expresses the majesty and wisdom of Patience & Fortitude as well as the spirit of the library itself.

While everyone is entitled to their opinion, judging from the haughtiness of the comments expressed here one would think the NYPL redesigned the Mona Lisa!

[ekalify]

i liked the old one better. it looks too big and bold, less classic, which is how i think of the library.

[robflexace]

i'm sorry but i thought it looked so cartoony...like watching some sat. morn. show. i thought the previous logo was more dignified, and made the library less for kids. i found it interesting that all the video responses liked it.

[dcampagna1772]

Yawn. Disappointing logotype more reminiscent of an insurance company. It may look "accessible" and "relevant", but will likely look dated in about 15 years. Also reminds me of the Proctor & Gamble logo redesign attempt of the 1990s.

[planet12dotcom]

Other ideas should have been explored. The "cartoonification" and "childish" views hold some weight. If the lion was a must then using pointed corners to finish the forms instead of rounded edges would have helped adults accept this identity. We did enjoy seeing the creative process.

[cdcarroll1]

The cartoonification of the logo is disappointing. However, it seems to be in line with the policy of closing Mid-Manhattan and using the (ugh!) Schwartzman building for all functions. This is the curse of popularization!

I liked the older, haughtier, library better.

[bergenhome]

I am sadly in agreement with Alexander Greyling. Writing as both a NYC designer and historian who uses all branches of the NYPL regularly, this new logo is a staggering disappointment. It shows amateurish decision making and a deep misunderstanding of their constituency. Although I doubt readers who use the library know or care about the logo, this naive mark is confusing. One must ask, "When was the NYPL only synonymous with books for children?" This is poor, poor judgment. Try again folks.

[AlexanderGreyling]

Why has the comments for the related videos been disabled? And why do we see only positive related videos? Surely there are some other videos as well! Makes you think if the NYPL is fair and truthful with the video comment of their new logo.