v9 branding

[Fuzzy]

Okay, so while the heavier coders are sorting out actually building this thing, I thought I'd start a discussion on the 'branding' of sagetv v9. I'm talking about things like logos, icons, etc, as well as listing of copyrights, etc.

For instance:

This will obviously need some changes. (version number, at least). Copyright is listed as SageTV, LLC (an entity that AFIAK no longer exists).

So how should this be presented going forward? Obviously, there's more places this touches than just the splash screen, but I figured that's as good a place to start as anywhere.

[ckewinjones]

I think the open-source branding should have the same general look as the proprietary branding (to make it clear that this is a successor product to commercial Sage TV), but have some clear differences (to make it clear that it is not the same product as the commercial Sage TV). For example:



This splash uses the same basic layout as the current splash, a similar font, and the same motif of a flower behind the word "TV". But it uses a different background color and a different flower. It's recognizable as similar to the existing Sage branding, but distinct from it.

Note that this splash is just a proof of concept. I'm not a graphic artist and I hope that someone who has actual graphic skills will do the actual branding for SageTV v9.

[stanger89]

My vote would be to take a cue from Google, Microsoft, XBMC (Kodi) and just clean things up and make the theme a bit simpler.

[SHS]

I think name change is in order RetroTV and update Theme

[Skirge01]

Unless Google wants a change in the product name, I don't see any good reason to do so. The brand is already out there, so renaming it would only cause unnecessary confusion and dilution. A compromise could be a suffix of sorts along the lines of "SageTV: Reloaded".

Also--just thinking out loud here--whenever I thought of the word "sage", an image of a crystal ball always came to mind. That could replace the bloom or "SageTV" could be inside a crystal ball.

[SHS]

Originally Posted by Skirge01

Unless Google wants a change in the product name, I don't see any good reason to do so. The brand is already out there, so renaming it would only cause unnecessary confusion and dilution. A compromise could be a suffix of sorts along the lines of "SageTV: Reloaded".

Also--just thinking out loud here--whenever I thought of the word "sage", an image of a crystal ball always came to mind. That could replace the bloom or "SageTV" could be inside a crystal ball.

Your NO FUN Skirge01 and dosen't matter me JUST AS LONG AS IT WORKS that all that counts.

[HelenWeathers]

Originally Posted by ckewinjones

I must say, I really like the flavor of this splash.

[jm9843]

I'd love to see someone like Liam Spradlin do a fresh material design inspired take on Sage TV's splash screen, logo, etc.

His experiments with using real paper in digital illustration are gorgeous.

[jreichen]

I've always liked the older icon better. The attached icon is a more updated look and could be a freshened up look for the open source project. I pulled it from my old installation when I created @SageTVOpenSrc on Twitter. I think it came from a plugin.

[Narflex]

Of course I'd like it to keep using the name SageTV.

Changing the logo, etc. is fine with me too...just remember it's also going to be desktop icons, etc. as well...so it needs to work across a spectrum of sizes (so while the fancy flower one is nice...it might not 'scale' all that well).

[dannylogi]

My vote to keep it simple is to change the version #, update the copyright info, and be done with it.

If it ain't broke, the spouse won't complain. :-)

[Denali]

+1

[KryptoNyte]

I vote for changing the 7 to a 9. Or whatever version folks decide to call it.

[Fuzzy]

I agree keeping it the same works well, the current logo is unique and recognizable, so it works well. I'm more interested in this point on how the copyright statement should work on this. I mean, technically, the original work would still be copyrighted by SageTV, LLC, which was assumed by Google, Inc. But any derivative work would be copyrighted by effectively no one and everyone at the same time, so should there even BE a copyright statement? I'm far from an IP lawyer, and open source projects seem a nightmare in that regard.

[jbbtex]

Same, but different

[Stu Gare]

Does it make sense to keep the version # with the logo?
Will need updating when v10.00 comes along.

[Fuzzy]

I do like the paper look. It works very well with the v6/7 logo's basic layered circles design. Here's my first draft on how it would look updated a bit:

[stanger89]

That does work pretty well.

[tmiranda]

Looks good but needs to say "SageTV" in there someplace.

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by tmiranda

Looks good but needs to say "SageTV" in there someplace.

That was just the icon source. Here's what I've worked up so far for a splash screen:

EDIT: Enhanced paper flower edging.