D&D 5E D&D Next weekly art column!

[Kaodi]

I mean, heck, we had how many TSR logos over the years. How many people actually know what TSR stands for? But, pretty much everyone in the hobby knows that TSR=D&D makers. (or at least did at one time)

I do not think I quite remember exactly what it stands for anymore. Tactics, Strategy...

 

[Dausuul]

I do not think I quite remember exactly what it stands for anymore. Tactics, Strategy...

Tactical Studies Rules.

Just a note, it would be kind of cool if "TSR" could be subtly incorporated into the logo somewhere. Not big and obvious, just part of some background pattern or something.

 

[Klaus]

I suppose. Then again, logos don't have to actually spell out their product and quite often don't. Aren't they usually just some form of symbol that gets associated with a particular product? It's not like the Nike Swoosh actually has any words on it, but, it's certainly recognizable. Now, granted, D&D isn't anywhere near in that league, but, I'm not sure if you really need the logo to tell people exactly what the product is.

Chances are, if you're looking at a gaming product with the logo on it, you're not looking at the logo for information about the product.

I mean, heck, we had how many TSR logos over the years. How many people actually know what TSR stands for? But, pretty much everyone in the hobby knows that TSR=D&D makers. (or at least did at one time)

There's no reason why you can't have both.

In fact, a good logo has several applications. You could use the "Dungeons & Dragons" logo in two lines (as the 4e logo), in a single line (as the 4e logo is used on the spines of the core books) and just the "D&D".

 

[DEFCON 1]

* requisite 'New D&D logo should be done in Comic Sans' joke

 

[Klaus]

Just to note how much I like the AD&D dragon ampersand:

This is a picture I did for my website waaaa(...)aaaay back in 2000. Back then, some race/class combos we now take for granted were "oddballs", and I featured a few in my "Oddballs" gallery. In this case, it's the "Linormsson", a dragon-blooded dwarf sorceror.

Check his belt buckle.

 

[Sunseeker]

The full name Dungeons and Dragons is a lot more recognizable and immediately understandable to people who don't play the game a lot, but have heard the name (which is a really large number of people). Making it D&D would appeal more to diehard fans than the general audience. Also, I prefer the full name. It makes it sound less silly...

I agree. Though setting up the lettering in a way as to stack the "D" of Dungeons the dragon ampersand and the "D" of Dragons so that perhaps D&D could be read vertically would be a nice way to integrate the two. But overall, it should be "Dungeons & Dragons", because IMO that sounds cooler and is less niche than "D&D".

 

[Klaus]

I agree. Though setting up the lettering in a way as to stack the "D" of Dungeons the dragon ampersand and the "D" of Dragons so that perhaps D&D could be read vertically would be a nice way to integrate the two. But overall, it should be "Dungeons & Dragons", because IMO that sounds cooler and is less niche than "D&D".

Well, that's what the 4e logo did. You can just use the "D&D" elements.

 

[Sunseeker]

Well, that's what the 4e logo did. You can just use the "D&D" elements.

Sure, but "D&D" still caters to an audience who is already in-the-know. I'm sure there's certain supplements that you could use D&D on, perhaps ones with really long names on their own that you wouldn't expect some random noob to walk up and buy/understand without already knowing the game.

 

[Klaus]

Sure, but "D&D" still caters to an audience who is already in-the-know. I'm sure there's certain supplements that you could use D&D on, perhaps ones with really long names on their own that you wouldn't expect some random noob to walk up and buy/understand without already knowing the game.

I agree. But ideally, the logo should have multiple usages. When space is a constraint and you're speaking to a knowledgeable public, you could go with just "D&D". On a more formal capacity, such as a book cover, you must go with the full name (stacked, for the core books, and in a single line if used in a sub-brand, like FR).

 

[Quickleaf]

What if the ampersand was interpreted as stylized dueling dragons which formed the two G's in "Dungeons & Dragons"?

Here's a super quick sketch of the kind of thing I'm thinking...