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Sean DL’s comment is:
what is this? Philadelphia day?
But yeah, The Franklin didn't work, as most tourist and material still called it he Franklin Institute Science Museum.
But the campaign did help people take notice in the place again. With it ? marks.
Now on to the add on, I like the greys over the oranges, but they can change it to any color and it'll still be fine.
carlo’s comment is:
YES! I'm a fan of bringing back "Institute".
And it's always a good day for a Philadelphia Day :)
Armin’s comment is:
I had been sitting on this story for a few days now. So with yesterday's news of the 76ers, it felt right to post the two together today.
On Jun.24.2009 at 03:04 PM
jRod’s comment is:
Is philly cream cheese rebranding soon? i mean, as long as we are on the Philadelphia theme...
On Jun.24.2009 at 03:14 PM
Greg’s comment is:
That's fine, it was associated with a fun and off-kilter "Curious?" campaign that likewise went nowhere.
On Jun.24.2009 at 03:36 PM
Mark’s comment is:
Good move, frankly "The Franklin" sounds like a bad rave club in Philidephia, or some measurement of currency that doesn't exist.
I think they were attempting to acomplish a hip shorther mesueum name like what The Metropolitan Museum of Art did with MOMa. However this time it didn't work and people got confused by the new name.Then they had no choice but to reinstitute the old name.
Obviouisly they should have researched more about how recognizable the old name was before tossing it out for a new name. Someone didn't do their homework.
On Jun.24.2009 at 04:13 PM
Mark’s comment is:
Good move, frankly "The Franklin" sounds like a bad rave club in Philidephia, or some measurement of currency that doesn't exist.
I think they were attempting to accomplish a hip shorther mesueum name like what The Museum of Modern Art did with MOMa. However this time it didn't work and people got confused by the new name.Then they had no choice but to reinstitute the old name.
Obviously they should have researched more about how recognizable the old name was before tossing it out for a new name. Someone didn't do their homework.
On Jun.24.2009 at 04:16 PM
MP’s comment is:
Joe Moran’s comment is:
As "MP" commented above: What's with the circles? Had to go back to the original '08 post to even see what this was referencing (and the original wasn't much better).
Can't believe no one in Philadelphia calls it the "Franklin." Do they all ask for Philly Cheese Steaks, too, instead of a "Philly?"
Big BF buff. Lots of other images come to mind besides an eclipse.
But whatever: "All cats are gray in the dark." No?
VR/
On Jun.24.2009 at 08:47 PM
EnergonCube’s comment is:
I have no opinion about the name since I know nothing about them. Other than to say that adding "Institute" sounds more official than simply The Franklin.
As for the logo itself? Yawn.
On Jun.24.2009 at 09:08 PM
Michael [linefeed]’s comment is:
Nice they splashed out on a quality typeface like Century Gothic. I mean it's not like it's free and that every lame-o designer uses it when they think something need to look 'classy'. BTW This is sarcasm. Just in case.
On Jun.24.2009 at 09:23 PM
Joe Moran’s comment is:
Update: Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain, and most fools do. Ha!
VR/
On Jun.24.2009 at 10:07 PM
Jim’s comment is:
Important lesson here that you can't give yourself a nickname--especially when 100% of the population has never referred to you by that nickname and has used your former name for generations. Take note, Gatorade.
On Jun.24.2009 at 10:39 PM
jen’s comment is:
I've lived in Philly for about 6 years now and I've only heard the museum called The Franklin Institute -- nothing else. I first saw the old new logo go up on a building blocks away from the actual museum (they're related somehow) and thought it was a mistake. I'd be surprised if most people here get the idea behind the circular mark. I'd argue the original was more memorable.
On Jun.25.2009 at 07:59 AM
Jacob’s comment is:
When I was a kid, my parents took me to the Franklin Institute. It was actually the first time I had really heard the name "institute," and I forever associated it with that place. "Franklin Institute" was like one word to me--inseparable. So, I think this reversion makes a lot of sense.
On Jun.25.2009 at 09:34 AM
GC’s comment is:
I moved out of the Philly area a number of years ago and wasn't aware of the change in the first place. "The Franklin"...just sounds odd. I'd only ever heard it called "The Franklin Institute".
Joe Moran: I just call it a "cheese steak", personally (if you're in/from Philly, why would you have to identify it as a *Philly* cheese steak? It's just a cheese steak).
On Jun.25.2009 at 11:12 AM
GC’s comment is:
Amend what I said above..."cheesesteak" should be one word.
On Jun.25.2009 at 11:13 AM
Joe Moran’s comment is:
A great lesson in designing with regionally appropriate vernacular in mind.
Had no idea "Franklin Institute" was spoken/thought of as one word in Philadelphia. (Or that no one called a cheese steak a "philly" there. Thanks GC.)
Reminded me of the old Soda vs Pop thing. And also how people refer to highways in different parts of the country i.e.: Highway 70, 70 Highway, the 70, I-70 etc.
A rose by any other name…
VR/
On Jun.25.2009 at 11:32 AM
Jacob’s comment is:
And a college friend of mine actually spells it "cheesteak."
On Jun.25.2009 at 11:39 AM
drewdraws2’s comment is:
All I can say is bravo for bringing back the "Institute". As I said at the time, with everything from squares to bridges to hotels called "Franklin" in Philly, the word institute was the descriptor. Besides, everyone already loved the place and thought it was cool –– the rebrand was like the kinda nerdy smart kid with lots of friends realizing he was cool, and instantly becoming a dick.
Glad to see it back. I, for one, have been publicly hoping for this change since the day I saw it.
On Jun.25.2009 at 11:58 AM
Minder’s comment is:
Do people outside of Philadelphia call cheesesteaks "Phillies?" That sounds kinda funny. The Franklin Institute changing their name to just The Franklin sounds funny too. And stuffy, and pretentious. It's a science museum, not an art gallery.
On Jun.26.2009 at 08:15 AM
alex ’s comment is:
My vote would have been to bring back the AAJ symbol!
On Jun.26.2009 at 12:06 PM
Rob Mientjes’s comment is:
To be noted and emphasised here: an entity admitting a mistake and correcting it without looking like an ass through it all. The type isn't glorious and the circles are still, um, circles, but at least they have a wholesome kind of self-respect.
On Jun.27.2009 at 06:30 AM
angelique’s comment is:
No one was going to stop calling it the Franklin Institute. Not just tourists, locals.
On Jun.28.2009 at 11:22 PM
Big D’s comment is:
I don't have an issue with the name, The Franklin. As these types of institutions look to increase consumer purchases, they continuously work to expand their opportunities.
The library of Congress has a huge gift shop. It draws more visitors and has helped to keep the doors open to the public.
The Mutter Museum is constantly referred to as the Mutter. This enables them to go beyond the physical museum itself and have more of a presence online as a research organization. This increases the awareness of the organization and helps them to secure more grants.
It is the practical side of the change, that becomes an issue. There must be at least a thousand organizations in Philadelphia with the word "Franklin" in their name. It is rather difficult to own it. By adding "Institute" to the name, not only does it become more unique but the organization actually leverages the name to their advantage. It sounds as if Ben himself created it. Suddenly the organization can build on his well known history as an inventor and Patriot.
On Jun.29.2009 at 03:42 PM
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