Artwork
Design for the London Philharmonic Orchestra logo
Design for the London Philharmonic Orchestra logo is a drawing by Neil Svenson. It dates from 1990 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Neil Svenson designed it in 1989–90 by mixing bits from old rejected sketches into a fresh symbol.
This bold abstract drawing was made for the London Philharmonic Orchestra’s new logo. Neil Svenson designed it in 1989–90 by mixing bits from old rejected sketches into a fresh symbol. It’s a collage of shapes meant to work as a team with the orchestra’s wordmark.
The fun part? They built the final mark from scrap parts they almost threw out. Good thing they kept looking.
Check out more designs by Svenson, Neil.
Overview
This drawing is a near-final design for the London Philharmonic Orchestra's logo, created by Neil Svensen in 1989-1990 as part of a broader corporate identity project led by Rufus Leonard Design Consultants.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is an abstract symbol intended to complement the orchestra's logotype (wordmark) in representing the organization across various communication materials.
Technique & Style
The design employs a collage technique, reassembling elements from previously discarded sketches to form a bold, abstract composition of interconnected shapes.
History & Provenance
Designed by Neil Svensen within the Rufus Leonard Design Consultants team, this piece is a precursor to the final logo, utilizing salvaged elements from earlier rejected designs.
Context
Created to fulfill a brief for a unified 'mark' (symbol and logotype) for the London Philharmonic Orchestra's corporate identity, reflecting the need for a cohesive visual brand in the late 1980s.
Legacy
While not the final logo, this design showcases the iterative process behind creating the orchestra's visual identity in the late 1980s, highlighting the creative reuse of discarded concepts.
Artist & collection
Artist
