Ask Mike: Who you gonna call?
Hey Guys,
The other day, I heard a very interesting fact. The logo for the “Ghostbusters” film is among the most recognized symbols in the entire world. Now, I have no idea if that is actually true or not, but it did inspire me to look into who designed the “no ghost” logo. Much like the ‘Busters’ battle with Mr. Stay Puft, this one was more difficult than I anticipated.
Searches on “ghostbusters logo” and “who designed the ghostbusters symbol” proved depressingly fruitless. Likewise, IMDb and Wikipedia, didn’t seem to mention the genius behind the symbol. I was beginning to feel that this anonymous artist would never get the recognition that he or she deserved when I came across a Ghostbusters fan site, appropriately called “Spook Central.”
The site explains that it was writer and star Dan Aykroyd who actually came up with the symbol. It was later “refined by artists,” but Aykroyd (aka “the heart and soul of the Ghostbusters”) created “the idea for the logo when he dreamed up the original concept for the film.”
I usually like to get two sources on a question before I call it a day. Fortunately, I found a video clip on Amazon.com that backs up the Aykroyd claim. The art designer for the 1984 film, John DeCuir, Jr. explains that he takes credit for having “art directed” the original symbol, but he “did not conceive it.” That honor belongs to ol’ Danny boy.
So, there ya have it. Mr. Aykroyd not only starred in and co-wrote the screenplay, he also came up with one of the world’s most recognizable symbols (maybe). He’s got the tools and he’s got the talent.
What symbols and logos do you guys find to be most memorable? Coca-Cola? Adidas? The Red Cross? Please chime in with a comment below.
Thanks for reading,
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I’ve heard from many people the “Golden Arches” are more recognizable to children (I can’t remember if it’s just here in the US) than Santa Clause
The Nike Swoosh is my favorite, it is so simple yet is so memorable. The story behind it is also a “Cinderella Story” of a kind. My two sources are below…
http://web.archive.org/web/20071023034940/http://www.nike.com/nikebiz/nikebiz.jhtml?page=5&item=origin
http://worldsbestlogos.blogspot.com/2007/07/nike-logo-history.html
Peace sign
nike
pepsi
I did not know that! I LOVE GB (haven’t seen GB 2 or 3 yet) Thanks, Mike!!!!!!!! Keep them informative random topics comin’ !!!!!!
Im gonna call the meow mix hotline becaus im HUNGRYYYYY! IM HUNGRY!!!!!!! FOR SOME MEOW MEOW MEOW MIX…. MMMMM MMMMM GOOD . sorry i have my moments anyway… IM GONNA CALL JESUS
coca-cola hands down.
i d k
I have to agree with the Golden Arches, my children understood that symbol first.
What about Superman’s symbol?? That is legendary.
NO SMOKING is a pretty universal symbol too, if we can count signs like that.
im a huge ghostbusters fan just went to see it on the big screen for the first time last week thanks for digging that up thats great love the new game also
ghost busters!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekPHOXGNz6E&feature=related
The Ghostbusters symbol is a combination of two widely recognized symbols; an image of a ghost and an international driving symbol.
Since european drivers used to encounter signs written in many different languages, someone came up with the idea to switch to using symbols instead of foreign words since symbols needed no translation. An international symbol to represent NO or DO NOT was invented using a circle with a diagonal slash through it. The creator of the Ghostbuster’s symbol just superimposed this international symbol over an image of a ghost.
I remember that in the months before Ghostbusters started showing up in movie theaters, I would see billboards with nothing except the Ghostbuster symbol. That got people like me wondering what the heck they were trying to advertise. It was a great gimmick by the producers of this movie.
Valentine ♥ = love
red is a noticeable colour in nature, it means ripe and it also means danger or other food. it is alarming or exitatory for most mammals.
I’d say the Final Fantasy logo. EVERYBODY recognizes the FF logo, that thin, fancy writing in white, and everyone immediately recognizes the name, also. Other than that…well, the picture of the mouse cursor (white arrow) on any computer screen.
LOL at the idea of everyone recognizing the Final Fantasy logo, every male in the right age bracket does. As for top symbols, I gotta say superman’s symbol is up there, what about classics like the religious ones: cross, yin and yang, om, swastika, star of david. If we are just talking secular then there are too many to mention. The little Kilroy was here guy is pretty high up there since there are variations of that on most continents. The lightening bolt for high voltage and the Jolly Roger or skull and cross bones for danger or poison are all really really recognizable. Oh, and lets not forget the peace symbol. I’m sure there are a ton of others, but those are some of my faves.
I think the concept art for the logo, including Aykroyd’s original, is included in the two DVD set booklet. I don’t have it on me, so I can’t prove myself wrong, but I’m pretty sure the info you blogged on is in there. It should be included in the Wiki article for our future edification!
Apple
Well, there are quite a few. But the first one I’m really thinking about that nobodies mentioned was originally created by a baron in 1912 though the world didn’t get to see it until 1920 thanks to WWI. Comes in five colors, blue, yellow, black, green, and red in that order. And it signifies passion, faith, victory, work ethic, and sportsmanship. Oh, did I happen to mention the Baron’s name is Pierre de Coubertin.
If you havent figured it out yet I’m talking about the Olympic rings.
BATMAN SYMBOL
GOLDEN ARCHES
NIKE
PLAYBOY BUNNY
MICROSOFT WINDOWS
SIMS CRYSTAL
i live in australia and i have never heard of the golden arches, so i dont think thats universally recognised. but, with the majority of the world christian, i think that christmas symbols like santa clause, christmas trees, christmas bells etc is the most universally recognised with all ages.
They talk about the origin of the symbol on the commentary on the ghostbusters dvd. i forgot who they say designed it, but they had to refine the ghost character to what it looks like now because it first resembled Casper.
If you watch Ghostbusters with commentary on DVD, they confirm that Akroyd came up with the early version of the symbol. They also have a section of all the drawings of the symbols that were considered. Some were pretty awful lol
I’ve lived in a half-dozen countries – including several where few people would recognise the golden arches.
I never met anybody who didn’t know a smiley when they saw one.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emoticon
The skull and crossed bones Danger or Hazard sign is similarly universal, and I think Bang! (a single exclamation point to mean Caution) is also universal.
cool symbol the ghost busters one . the one that i always remember is the bat sign which batman uses .that’s the most common for me.
Why is the advanced search function so lousy? Why does it not work?
I have just used it and required hits that did NOT include the words Palin or Obama. I got teo hits, in one of which the second of theird word was Palin?
Why don’t you fix the thing?
And while you’re at it, the spell checker needs a lot of work “New Zealand” is the name of a country, not a mis-spelling.
actually, general leonhart, i have no idea what the final fantasy logo is
How about this one ? Y!
During the early Nineties I was given a Star Trek: The Next Generation pin that was nearly identical (in appearance if not in function) to the ones the show’s characters wore. I would keep it on my backpack during college.
Final Fantasy, really? Unless you’re japanese or a video gamer, I don’t think so.
(in no particular order) Coca-Cola, Kentucky Fried Chicken, McDonalds, GhostBusters, Playboy, Nike, Adidas, The NBA symbol, Apple
Actually from my travels, and sociology and business classes, it appears that Pepsi wins the most recognizable symbol award. It’s everywhere.
I find Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, Nike, The Golden Arches, hearts, peace signs, and the Red Cross the most memorable…
I think one of them must be the E.T. ‘logo’.. the one where the bike is flying over the moon? I don’t know if you can call it a logo but it is very recognisable…
… and obviously the McDonalds ‘M’
Not too long ago I had a corporate training seminar (about 20 in attendance) where the trainer flashed a page on the screen with the names of about 40 companies randomly scattered on the page. He said look at this page for 20 seconds and then tell me which names you remember seeing. The entire room came up with about 10 names.
Then he flashed another screen, only instead of the company names, he used the company logos randomly scattered. The room was able to come up with about 34 of 40 names!! There were logos like the Golden Arches, the Chevrolet blue cross, the Internet Explorer “e”, the AA of American Airlines, The Gatorade lightning stroke, both the Coca Cola and Pepsi waves, the Windows logo, and lots more. Then, as he showed the logo screen again, it was apparent that portions of the logos had been removed, but people still recognized what they were.
It was quite a demonstration to see how effective symbols are for people, vs. words, even if they only see part of them (like on an ad billboard, for example), it’s easy for their mind to fill in the blanks.
How about the WC/toilets/restrooms sign??
The cross (symbol of Christianity), is the most recognized symbol in the world, by far.
Very few people in Africa/South America likely have any idea what the Ghostbuster’s symbol is.
Coca Cola is up there, however their symbol changes in every country with a different language; thus, not really making it a symbol.
My favorite symbol has to be the Nike swoosh (not check). Red cross is pretty memorable as well, b/c of the cause behind it.
Peace simbol and Pepsi too. Chevrolet, Wolksvagen, Mercedes, Apple, MTv, avast… I think it’s all.
Love all the random topics, Mike! Keep it up!
Best (and most copied) logo known worldwide: I ♥NY
NIKE!!!! Oh and Virgin Media. Oh AND, I’m not sure if this counts but, the On Off sybmol, like a circle with a line through the top – extremely recognised!
B*
For me, it’s the clown figure that USED to be on the signs for Jack -in-the-Box.
McDonalds for sure. When she was about 3, she could see it from miles away, and always said “french fries”, and when she was that age, we only went there for breakfast. She must have retained the memory from going a few times with her friends.
heyyyyyyyyyyyyy
I like the dog taking a poop in a circle with the strike thru it…. no dog pooping here.
actually, jeff I had never even seen the kilroy was here symbol until you mentioned it and i looked it up. the final fantasy logo is not too big of a deal because you really only know it if you play final fantasy games, or spend an obscene amount of your time at anime cons or game stops.
the most memorable one that i think of is the smiley face symbol. it started in the 70s and has survived since. it started out as a campaign that some corporation started to encourage it’s workers to smile more. it has since been used everywhere from LSD hits to walmart adds to your second grade teacher’s desk. its definitely the most memorable.
You misspelled “Aykroyd”:
“It was later “refined by artists,” but Akyroyd (aka “the heart”
CRUCIFIX
yeah coca-cola. world widely known. u find those taps everwhere.
Presently, the Nike swoosh is everywhere. Also have to give the folks at Under Armor credit for their ingeniuos logo on their sports clothing. How about the Ralph Lauren Polo horse and rider? Everyone wears clothes, so I just think that the trademark symbols on the clothing is what I tend to notice the most.
The London Underground symbol is pretty cool and maybe not recognizable to most Americans but when I found out what it was it fascinated me a tiny bit.
http://subtitlestocinema.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/london_underground_logo.jpg
There it is.
I found out that UPS is the most recognizable symbols in the world becuase they go almost everywhere.
As for symbols, I would have to say the Cross would be a widely-known one. Logos are a different thing; it depends on what part of the world you are in. I know McDonalds is an international company, so it is probably a well-known one.
Two words: Internet Explorer. lol.
I would think that on an international level, the red cross logo would be the most recognized logo/symbol but if not, I’m sure it’s up there with the top five.
How about the peace sign? I think that would recognized by many. Another logo that I think keeps gaining popularity in the US is that the bulls eye for Target
anyone who has seen a movie has seen the 20th century fox spotlights.
——GHOSTBUSTERS LOGO—
You are pretty right on the Ghostbusters logo. If any of you are in the states and have a Wal-Mart near by, you can find a Ghostbuster I & II DVD set for under $15 bucks! (Maybe under $10!)
Inside you’ll find a “making-of” movie scrapbook! (Printed) Of course, it’s laid out with “polaroids” of the cast and “pieces” of “pasted on” storyboard sketches. It also has a narrative and “chapters”.
——————–EXCERPT———————————— ‘CREATING AN ICON’ Ghostbusters Movie Scrapbook
” Michael Gross- the former art director of “National Lampoon”— explains the origin of the logo:
GROSS: The second most famous thing I’ve done– after the ‘We’ll Kill This Dog’ cover- is the ‘No Ghosts’ logo used for the GHOSTBUSTERS. Now I did not create the concept- Dan Aykroyd did- so I take care to say I designed it. In fact it was described in the script.
Q: This was the ghost behind the European ‘No’ sign?
GROSS: Yes. I turned the signal the other way because we didn’t use that sign in America yet so it didn’t look wrong. The initial concept had the word ‘Ghostbusters’ in the crossbar, but it tilted the way it actually is used- tilted down- it didn’t read right, so I reversed it. Then we took the word out. In Europe, the logo’s the other way around. It was vertically flopped, because they didn’t think we should mess with their symbol.
-COMIC BOOK ARTIST 2003—
That was a direct quote, including the poor punctuation.
Then the next 3 pages are of “sketches” of other possible logos. I’m not inclined to take them at face value. One looks very much like Casper the Ghost and they are “drawn” on a “legal pad”, stamped: ‘CONFIDENTIAL: classified information- Dr. Venkman 1983′!!
So basically, the book is highly conceptualized but all of the written info seem accurate.
Who knew that buying all of our 80′s favorites for our kids, would have a bit of a greater significance? ha ha
cool spot from 7UP.
i still remember a time when they used him before Fido dido stole the limelight.
i remember this one commercial where the lights are turned off in a super market and than they look around and jump off their bottles and cans and start to mess around. get back to their places when a night watchmen comes to check out the noise.
i loved those guys, too bad you don’t see them as much anymore,
I gotta go with the cross, Mickey Mouse, the US flag, the Ford oval, GM, and the UPS shield.
I have no idea what the Final Fantasy logo looks like.
I remember that well before Ghostbusters came out, and well before any real ads for it appeared newspapers and billboards started carrying pictures of that logo with no words on it. Nobody knew what it was all about but it did create a lot of buzz. Of course there was no “internets” and no IMDB so most people had no way of finding out what it was. It was a very clever ad campaign.
One symbol has been around over 2000 years and I don’t think there is a person in this entire world who doesn’t know wht it represents the cross.
I’m not even sure what the Final Fantasy logo is…. same with the Ghostbusters thing….. Ghostbusters sounds stupid, and the music (who you gonna call!) is terrible! It’s worse than the Rick-Roll music! Blegh!
nice blog
I’d rather call the Mythbusters, that show is funny as hell.
you the worlds most greatest detective.
It’s not hard to come by the knowledge that Akroyd came up with the concept. It is actually written in the Commemorative Book that comes with the Ghostbusters 1&2 DVD Double Feature Gift Set.
Michael Gross, former art director of the “National Lampoon” says:
“The second most famous thing I’ve ever done – after the ‘We’ll Kill This Dog’ cover – is the ‘No Ghosts’ logo used for Ghostbusters. Now I did not create the concept – Dan Akroyd did – so I take care to say I designed it. In fact it was described in the script.”
Gross’ words were quoted from an interview in ‘Comic Book Artist’, April 2003
I highly recommend having a look. The Commemorative Book has 9 different initial concepts for the logo.
http://www.amazon.com/Ghostbusters-Double-Feature-Gift-Commemorative/dp/B0009RCPY8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1245947893&sr=8-1
I am amazed at the limited scope of answers that are apparently solely based on AMERICAN exposures & experiences. The question asked for symbols recognized throughout the WORLD, people.
On THAT basis I vote: the ‘No’ or ‘Do Not’ circle w/slash, the triad circle for bio-hazard, the six-sectioned circle(yellow/black) for radioactive, the American Red Cross symbol, the American flag, the blue helmets worn by UN troops, the Olympic rings & torch, the raised clenched fist as a sign of rebellion and/or freedom. Still there are those in Africa, parts of S.America, and rural Asia who have NOT been exposed to these either. So whose to say?
It’s “WHOM you gonna call?” because you would be calling me, him, her, us, or them. The guy who did the Ghostbusters song years ago screwed up the educations of SO many children with his song.
I didnt even know what the golden arches where so googled it, why cant just say macdonolds M but it is the 2nd most reconised symbol in the world, 1st being coke cola, nike, google,micky mouse, virgin, olympics rings, micheal jackson white glove, oscars award, WWW internet, all these are more noticable than a picture of jesus
I could’ve told you who created the logo. I’ve always known it to be Aykroyd. It mentions this information in the Ghostbusters Double Feature DVD Gift Set booklet.
I have no idea what the final fantasy logo looks like.
I would have to agree with some people about the superman symbol. And with Lisa J with the McDonald’s symbol.
I feel safety symbols are the most known. ones like radiation, or a skull. Most people know what these symbols mean. We see them on medications, bleach, air cleaners, really any kind of cleaner, and even on TV.
Yeah, the Kilroy was here logo is far more popular with an older generation it was HUGE during WWII but likely isn’t that popular with generation X so it would make sense that a lot of people haven’t heard of it. That being said, I would like to address all the people who think Christianity is the worlds most popular or biggest religion, it isn’t, get over yourselves and travel to a country with brown people once in a while, I swear, they are nicer than they seem on fox news. =)
Oh, If we are counting hand gestures I would say the middle finger is pretty common, used that on more than one continent when it was needed.
The goestbusters?
The Hammer & Sickle.
who you gonna call???
GOSHT BUSTERS!!!
i have one 4 u!!
tighty whiteys or
whitey tighties
what about nike?
“Epic Space Campaigns” by J. M. D.
EPIC SPACE CAMPAIGNS SUCH AS “STAR TREK”, CREATED BY GENE RODDENBERRY, “STAR WARS”, CREATED BY GEORGE LUCAS, STARRING HARRISON FORD AND MARK HAMILL, AND “DUNE”, CREATED BY FRANK HERBERT, SCIENCE FICTION MASTERPIECES ADMIRED BY MANY FANS, DESCRIBE FANTASTIC WORLDS OF INTRIGUE AND ADVENTURE. “STAR TREK”, STARRING BRENT SPINER, WILLIAM SHATNER, AND PATRICK STEWART AMONG MANY OTHERS, IS SCIENCE FICTION ADVENTURE BASED “ON THE VOYAGES OF THE STARSHIP ENTERPRISE, IT’S CONTINUING MISSION TO SEEK NEW LIFE AND NEW CIVILIZATIONS, AND TO BOLDLY GO WHERE NO ONE HAS GONE BEFORE!” THE EPIC “STAR WARS” LIKEWISE DESCRIBES THE ADVENTURES OF THE NOBLE JEDI KNIGHTS AS THEY BATTLE THE EVIL SITH IN ORDER TO RESTORE PEACE AND JUSTICE TO THE UNIVERSE. “DUNE” IS A SCIENCE FICTION FANTASY WRITTEN BY FRANK HERBERT ABOUT PAUL ATREIDES AND HIS RISE TO POWER AND INFLUENCE.
“Star Trek” is about the Federation of Planets and the Starship Enterprise. The crew aboard the Enterprise includes Captain Jim, First Officer Spock, the Doctor Bones, the Engineer Scotty, and many others. The Federation of Planets enforces peace and free trade as the Enterprise patrols the galaxy and prevents terrorism. However, many planets are threatened by enemies such as the Borg, a cybernetic enemy that assimilates or kills entire civilizations that get in its way. The Borg Collective is a ruthless and evil subspecies that is not entirely human. The Borg are part machine and part synthetically constructed organic life forms. Unnatural as they are, they seek the destruction of anything that does not submit to their authority. They enslave and brainwash their enemies, “assimilating” any valuable technology they find in order to enslave other species as well. But the Federation is strongly opposed to the Borg menace and fight the Borg tooth and nail at every turn. No world is safe from the Borg and therefore the Federation of Planets seeks to annihilate the Borg from every corner of the universe. A new generation of Starships and a new crew appear as the campaign to free the universe from the clutches of the Borg progresses. Captain Jean Luke Picard, Jordi LaForge the engineer, First Officer William Riker, the doctor Beverley Crusher, Warf the Klingon Security Chief, Commander Data the Android Starfleet Officer, and Diana Troy the Ship’s Counselor, explore new frontiers as the epic saga of freedom and discovery continues.
“Star Wars”, created by George Lucas, starring Harrison Ford as Han Solo, Mark Hamill as Luke Sky Walker, and Carrie Fischer as Princess Leah, is an epic about the New Republic and the noble Jedi Order. The New Republic and the noble Jedi Order seek to replace the slave operations of the Black Sun and the Sith, an evil empire of slavery, corruption, and greed. The New Republic is a federation of planets that seek free trade, democracy, and prosperity. The Jedi Knights are guardians of freedom. The Jedi Order trains Jedi Knights to channel “the force”, divine power, to defend the innocent and protect the young. Jedi Knights wage an on going war against the evil Sith. The Sith seek to assassinate and kill anyone related to the New Republic or the noble Jedi Order. The Black Sun is an evil empire of pirates and criminals that is opposed to the New Republic. Black Sun controls slave operations and deals in illegal trade, kidnapping, assassination, theft, and murder. The Black Sun constructs gigantic weapons of mass destruction such as Star Destroyers and Death Stars which it uses to destroy entire planets, murder whole civilizations, and even annihilate stars, the suns that planets orbit, so that life cannot prosper. The New Republic fights the Black Sun evil empire. The New Republic protects free planets, organizes attacks against Black Sun operations, destroys Black Sun weapons, and frees planets from the clutches of death and destruction.
“Dune”, created by Frank Herbert, is about a desert planet named Arrakis, “Dune”, that is inhabited by giant sand worms that create the water of life and spice. Spice is valued for the special abilities it endows. Spice allows navigators to travel at light speed and bend space, travel time, and see the future. But Dune is the only planet on which the spice is made. Giant Leviathan Sand Worms inhabit the planet and make the rare spice. Paul Atreides is a Prince who survives an assassination against his family. He and his relatives move to the planet Arrakis, befriend a native people, the Fremen, and harvest the spice for trade, power, and influence. The spice is addictive. Without it, no space travel is possible because navigators do not have the necessary clairvoyance to pilot the galaxies safely. However, once the spice is used it must be permanently supplemented, or the host dies. Spice use turns the host’s eyes blue. Paul fights for freedom and power on the planet Arrakis, defeats his enemies, and gains control of spice production.
Epic Space sagas speak of adventure, new frontiers, advanced civilizations, love, freedom, justice, and new technologies. Pirates threaten to enslave and tear worlds apart as desperate alliances struggle to restore and protect the hard won freedoms that they have established. Evil empires are the enemies of the free republics. Assassins are the enemies of the noble freedom fighters who defend their worlds from conquest and domination. Weapons of mass destruction bear down on free civilizations as resistance forces organize assaults against the hideous and monstrous machinations. Heroes emerge as the defenders of truth and justice. Enemies fall by the thousands as civilization reclaims the life and liberty that belong to all free people.
Mike,
A friend alerted me to your page regarding the Ghostbusters logo. I served as the Director of Marketing at Columbia Pictures from 1983-1987. A gentleman by the name of Bret Bouts illustrated the logo and Michael Gross (co-producer of Ghostbusters) and I came up with the concept for the logo. The story behind the phenomenon that it became, is not as much genius as it was a necessary icon to promote the film. Paramount owned the rights to the name of the film and due to legal action we could only tease the film in the summer of 1984 with the logo. If you’d like to know more I’d be more than happy to fill you in.
Kevin Nolan
I would encourage you to do some research as to the awards the logo and the campaign won to verify this post.
Best