possible tenfourfx logo/icon update and/or explanation?

Jeremy Stray's Avatar

Jeremy Stray

19 Jul, 2012 09:05 AM

I couldn't find an explanation behind the current icon/logo and/or who designed it?

I am personally not the hugest fan of the logo and as a designer I would be willing to work towards a better one if others felt the same way?

This is no slight on anyone involved and Tenfourfox is by far my favorite still-in-development project on the internet. I use it daily and am thankful for every single person that put work into keeping my ppc computers surfing.

Cheers! and Good Work!

  1. Support Staff 1 Posted by Cameron Kaiser on 19 Jul, 2012 01:25 PM

    Cameron Kaiser's Avatar

    The icon is certainly controversial; there are those who love it and those who hate it.

    As far as a replacement, various folks have proposed replacing it, but no one has ever advanced a design of sufficient quality. Whatever design replaces it must use the Deer Park Mozilla globe for visual continuity with Firefox and Mozilla, must be at least 512x512, preferably higher, and must be sufficiently popular to justify a break in branding (because whatever your feelings on it, the icon is well-known). If you have such a design, please advise.

  2. 2 Posted by Jeremy Stray on 24 Jul, 2012 02:39 PM

    Jeremy Stray's Avatar

    I do realize many people just don't care as long as the software works. But every icon has something to say about the quality of the team behind it even if just subliminally giving the installer a reason to keep clicking on it.

    After doing a bit of Research and Development on the other mozilla based browsers and their artwork/icons . I feel I have some strong ideas/art concepts. But before I tackle some rough drafts I'm hoping we could agree on the overall goal of some possible new branding?

    I feel a new logo should obviously visually lend itself to the 3 main life force(s) behind the project. so..

    1. it obviously needs to immediately be recognized as a Web Browser in the dock etc. (you guys already nailed this one by using the recognizable Mozilla (deer park globe).

    2. because "fox" is in the name, some form of visual reference to the well known mozilla "fireFOX" logo is VERY appropriate, however the current hidden fox leaves something to be desired at least for me. (the hidden fox seems more like a secret waiting to emerge, or an accidental overlap of ideas) perhaps I'm missing something? Or perhaps it just wasn't a big deal at the time of it's creation, as most logo's are born outta necessity to get the product going.

    3. The 10four is last and somewhat difficult part for me as a designer. If it was solely meant to reference OSX's 10.4 "Tiger" I began wondering if and why the name "TIGERFOX" was skipped over in the creation process? I can only assume the 10four reference was also meant to conjure up the old radio/cb/police code "Ten four" or "10-4 over and out" (meaning of course, affirmative or in agreement) which while a great retro concept, would be difficult to illustrate into a simple browser logo.

    4. an optional logo concept is the fact that the software is for apple/mac computers. This isn't totally necessary because the user is usually already well-aware of that fact come install time, but suppose for instance the "deer park globe" was shaped more like the apple logo instead of being perfectly round.? This could either win points with the mac logo fan boys and/or or piss off some apple copyright cops.?? (although i'm still not sure just how something organic like an edible apple can be completely copyrighted by a computer company?) pleases advise.

    PS> EXTRA BRANDING MARKETING THOUGHTS/SUGGESTIONS:
    If a name change was ever even remotely a consideration in conjunction with a new logo/branding here would be my thoughts...

    when you reach a certain software point or version ie.. 10.10... you could rename the project to draw extra attention and re-gain some old adopters.

    TIGERFOX would be a home-run in my opinion and you could leave the 10fourfox as the it's secondary or alternate name as well as the company official name. "Tigerfox" in my opinion would be VERY STRONG and to the point. It rolls off the tongue, sounds like "firefox" but is just different enough. Also "tigerfox" wouldn't be easily misspelled or falsely interpreted making it a great advantage on google/web searches. It's also no secret that in the marketing/branding world, strong animal logo's are king, followed closely by easily spelled one to two word phrases. I even read elsewhere on this forum that there were no firm plans to ever streamline the project for 10.5 leopard. So, this project and software could literally have the "tigerfox" by the tail !!?? I could rant about "tigerfox" naming advantages for many more paragraphs but let me be clear...

    FINAL THOUGHT

    I am also very much aware that this is "NOT MY PROJECT" and often naming of the child is held very close to the creators chest. In fact there already may be some developers out there with 10fourFOX tattoos?

    I also realize that anyone with a little programming knowledge could re-package a simple desktop app version of any of the 10fourfx releases and call it whatever they choose so maybe I could build my own "TIGERFOX" if I'm the only one that that name so much?

    I have only taken on this possible project because I LOVE TENFOURFOX so much and I see myself and many others using it for years to come. I want to give the whole project a more "Stand Out" look If i can as to match it's incredible abilities.

    If these concepts are acceptable I can begin to post some rough sketches and/or concept mock-ups for the team to provide feedback?

    please advise and keep up the great work
    -JS

  3. Support Staff 3 Posted by Cameron Kaiser on 24 Jul, 2012 02:53 PM

    Cameron Kaiser's Avatar

    I appreciate the reasoned argument, but the name won't change; for better or worse, that's the name it's known by and that stands. Because the project is open source, people are more than welcome to repackage or rebrand it, just as long as the credits remain intact.

    As far as the icon itself, it would be better just to put up something you think is a reasonable substitute for comment. Naturally, I should state for the record that all art is in the eye of the behoulder and the final veto power is mine, so if I decline a design it should not be taken as a negative reflection on you -- as mentioned above, the design must be sufficiently popular to justify a change in design. I appreciate your enthusiasm and I will await your proofs.

    One final note, since this has to do with intellectual property: by doing so, you are agreeing to donate your work to the project to be used as the project sees fit, and the copyright and branding would rest with the project, as do all images, program files and media currently.

  4. 4 Posted by Jeremy Stray on 24 Jul, 2012 03:13 PM

    Jeremy Stray's Avatar

    Thanks for the fast reply! Yes I totally agree about art in the eye of the beholder. I really like the Open Source concept and the collaboration it brings. I would hope some other artists would also submit some samples? Declining a design would never be taken negatively by myself as i'm already beyond content that the software even exists! Any design submissions on my part would of course be a donation. I am working on a couple and look forward to getting feedback. Could you shed some light on the 10FOUR aspect of the name? is it just just a reference to 10.4 tiger or also the "Ten Four" radio code? These details are like gold to a designer that come in after the product's creation.
    Thanks in advance,
    Jstray

  5. 5 Posted by Jeremy Stray on 24 Jul, 2012 05:17 PM

    Jeremy Stray's Avatar

    Thanks for the quick reply! I totally agree on art being in the eye of the beholder. I'm working on donating a couple samples and of course any feedback good/bad would not be seen as negative as I am just grateful the software even exists! I did hope that if some background into the current logo/name was listed maybe other designers out there could also submit ideas?

    The hardest part on a project like this is not knowing the creators thoughts and ideas surrounding the original logo and name. So my biggest question is...

    Is the "10four" in "tenfourfox" only represent osx 10.4 (tiger)? or also the radio/cd code "ten-four"?

    thanks in advance
    -JS

  6. Support Staff 6 Posted by Chris (chtrusch... on 30 Jul, 2012 09:19 AM

    Chris (chtrusch)'s Avatar

    Jeremy, your messages got stuck in the Spam folder, which was obviously a mistake. I apologize.

    As to the actual discussion I'd have to say that by now I'm so used to the name and logo I wouldn't want to change it. I'm actually quite fond of the Tiger-Fox hybrid animal behind the globe :-)

  7. Support Staff 7 Posted by Cameron Kaiser on 30 Jul, 2012 02:30 PM

    Cameron Kaiser's Avatar

    Jeremy, I'm open to other interpretations, but the original idea was TenFour = 10.4.

  8. 8 Posted by Daniel on 15 Oct, 2013 06:58 AM

    Daniel's Avatar

    I hate to necro this discussion, but please update the icon.

     I love what you guys are doing.

    I'm using an early 2004 IBook G4. :)

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