Rebranding the Dented Helmet

You are all probably thinking this is an April Fools joke, but I assure you, it is not. After 5 years (and 1 month), TDH is finally rebranding. Since the creation of As You Wish, we have struggled with an identity and logo. When we made the change to The Dented Helmet we found our name but not a logo. For several years we have used the “angels” logo, graciously provided to us by the ever-talented Dustin Crops Boy, but this has always been something of a placeholder and there has never been a true unity between the forum, the logo and our frontpage. The time has come for a change and after a long life, we will be retiring the angels logo and introducing a new TDH logo at C4. The new logo is well under way but has not been finalized at this point. However, the work I have seen so far is very promising and will give us a more professional appearance and unified identity. The new logo is very simple and straightforward, able to make a striking statement without excess glitz and glam. We are painfully aware that no one likes change which is why we have held off on making this move for so long, but hopefully you will give the new look and feel the benefit of the doubt and allow it to grow on you. Those who have seen it so far have quickly grown to love it and I hope all of you will do the same.

So what does this change mean? Nothing in terms of how the board is run or the great people who are its members. We are still as dedicated as ever to providing the BEST Boba and Jango costume information available on the net within a family friendly and cooperative atmosphere. We will simply be operating under a more unified and professional banner.

This of course will bring questions regarding shirts and the coin. Your current TDH shirts are still valid as the angels logo will always be a part of TDH history. We are working with Dustin Crops Boy to have new shirts available for C4. In regard to the coin, we are still working on options and trying to determine whether we still want to offer a limited run of a "vintage" coin with the angels logo, or simply offer a new coin featuring the new logo. Look for posts regarding this in the near future.

With all of this in mind, I have pulled out just a few of the many variations of banner and logo we have gone through in years past, desperately searching for an identity. I hope those of you who have been here from the beginning enjoy this little trip down memory lane and I hope all of you will enjoy the new logo when it is unveiled at C4. Thank you for your continued support of this website. While we hope the new logo adds to our presence, it still is and always will be YOU that makes TDH great.

This is the banner that started it all in 2001 at the As You Wish ezboard.





This was our banner and frontpage graphics in Feb of 2002.







We changed again in Nov of 2002 and introduced the now famous angels logo.





A few small variations from Dec 2003.





And a major change in July of 2005.



With a variation in Nov of 2005.



In Dec of 2006 we changed to our current front page format.

Below are a few variations of or current logo, fondly dubbed the "angels" logo.

Hmm i cant wait to see the new logo. One of my favs was the july 05 and the variation. And dont forget change is good. Look at how Boba changed his fathers suit! Not saying one is better than the other!! Either way im actually sad that i have to wait till C4!!!!!!!!THats like a whole freakin month man!!! You cant make me wait that long!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously though you guys and gals couldnt have picked a better time so heres wishn luck!

I better order my TDH shirt then.

I totally think we should do a run of "vintage" coins with the old logos. Then do another run with the new logos. Some day in the far future it will be nice to look back and see the older members who have the "vintage" coin and remember when that logo was around.

I look forward to the new design!

I think this is a great change....will miss the Angels logo though.

This thread does make me feel old seeing all the old Logos....

Originally Posted by Spideyfett

This thread does make me feel old seeing all the old Logos....

Don't worry. It makes me feel old as well.

Originally Posted by Spideyfett

This thread does make me feel old seeing all the old Logos....

Yeah, it's been a while since I've seen those It'll be nice having a change though, change is good.

Originally Posted by asok

Don't worry. It makes me feel old as well.

Yeah, right there with ya Bill. Ahhh... the good ol' days....

I'm with Mark. I want the old Charlie's Angels coin before we even think about a new one.

Ooh, loving that Nov 2005 one. Great work, whoever did that baby!

PS: don't forget Zam

wow that was a blast from the past

I've always been kind of impartial to the old As You Wish logo....I'm a nostalgic kind of guy, what can I say:o

Do what you want with the logo. As long as it doesn't suck, we'll still support TDH.

Ah, the ones from 05 were my favorite, but I never would have guessed it was that long ago.

Will we be able to vote on the new logo?

Being an Art director of 15 years myself, I love the recent TDH brand, it can only get better!

You have my supprt!

the july 2005 was the first one i remembered. i wasn't a member here yet, but i'd poke my head around the board every once in a while.

I remember lurking on As You Wish once and then I lost the link untill I ran into TDH in 2004. Alway liked how the front page changed every few months. But a logo would be nice.

I noticed that Zam costuming wasn't mentioned in the opening post... I hope that us Zammers will still be considered a part of TDH! Otherwise I don't have an issue with a new brand or logo - The ever-talented DCB will come up with something great!

wow! The history here has been rich and colorful! I look forward to seeing to the new look!

Originally Posted by TeamFett

Will we be able to vote on the new logo?

No. We are having a number of people look at the new logo for suggestions and revisions but will not vote on it. As a general rule, we do not vote at TDH; the coin design being an exception.

Originally Posted by MaulMaus

I noticed that Zam costuming wasn't mentioned in the opening post... I hope that us Zammers will still be considered a part of TDH! Otherwise I don't have an issue with a new brand or logo - The ever-talented DCB will come up with something great!

While Zam will always have a home here at TDH and Zam fans will always be welcome, our new logo, which is much more simplistic in design and scope, will focus primarily on Boba's helmet as it falls in line with and best represents our board name. We hope this doesn't offend the dedicated fans of Zam and we hope you will continue to use TDH to make your amazing costumes.

Additionally, DCB is helping us in the area of shirts and swag, but the new logo is being created by another talented artist.

...and if you did allow votes, you wouldn't count the votes from Florida.


...ZING!




...oh, man. I'm lame. Sorry folks.

I've been around since the AYW boards and I look forward to getting a new logo. I love the 'Angels' version and cant wait to get another handfull of T-shirts with the new look (whatever it may be)

M

Originally Posted by The Dent

our new logo... ....will focus primarily on Boba's helmet as it falls in line with and best represents our board name. ...continue to use TDH ...

So the name/address thedentedhelmet.com is not going away. Reading the initial post I wasn't sure if there would be a new name or not. I'm definately a little partial to the dented helmet as our name.

That was fun seeing all the old "brands"! Thanks bro!

Looking forward to the new!

-Rex

No, we are still going to be the Dented Helmet. Just now our logo will better fit our name. I must say I wasn't crazy about the change, as I really do like the angels logo, and esp this close to C4. However, as soon as I saw the new logo, I loved it and knew it would be a perfect fit for us. I'm really excited for everyone to get to see it soon!

Originally Posted by The Dent

While Zam will always have a home here at TDH and Zam fans will always be welcome, our new logo, which is much more simplistic in design and scope, will focus primarily on Boba's helmet as it falls in line with and best represents our board name. We hope this doesn't offend the dedicated fans of Zam and we hope you will continue to use TDH to make your amazing costumes.

No offense at all... just a moment of concern, that's all.

Guess we just have to wait for the unveiling now!

Hmm, lemme guess.. I assume there won't be Jango's dent, just Boba's dent... LOL. Cause technically, Zam has an indented helmet So, I take it most of us will all be equally unrepresented 'cept for boba, mebbe, just like the old boards used to be? I haven't seen it yet, so I am wondering how correct my assumtion may be.

Originally Posted by Zam I Am

So, I take it most of us will all be equally unrepresented 'cept for boba

It is important that our members understand that the new logo represents the board as a whole, not a specific group, much like the three circled mouse head silhouette represents Disney as a whole. There is not a silhouette of Goofy and Pluto and Donald and Minnie... all fall under the single mickey-shaped logo. Saying that "most of us will be equally unrepresented" is, not only incorrect, but a gross misunderstanding of the purpose of the logo. No, there will not be anything specifically representing Zam, or Jodo Kast, Durge, or the Dented Variants on the logo. In regard to Jango, we have added a slight twist to give him some representation, but that is not the point. While the logo is strongly boba based, it is the logo for the board and site as a whole. It doesn't mean that Zam or any of the dented variants are not welcome. Quite frankly, we are moving away from a logo that directly depicts each of the character because there may be room in TDH's future for MORE forums and MORE characters. However, we will not rebrand each time that happens and add the new character to the logo. We want a single logo that is timeless and unchanging. Something that is simple, scalable, easily recognizable, like the Nike swoosh or the McDonald's arches, and something that compliments the site name "The Dented Helmet." While the logo has yet to be finalized, I am extremely pleased with the progress that has been made and believe that most will be happy with it as well. Change is always uncomfortable and you can't please everyone, but once the new logo is in place, I believe most will see that it gives the board and site a much more professional look and feel and gives us a single image under which we can rally.

D

Thanks D, point well made. Looking forward to the now branding.

WOW, a new change, and I still remember all the changes since I joined this boards on December 2002 (?), and completing my Boba v.1.0 in July 2003.

I can't wait to see the new logo, and I have faith and believe "THE DENT" when he says about making the board live it's name properly for this boards.

I just joined... Sooo I geuss I didnt have time to get attached to the old verision(s?).

Of the recent changes, I like the chest display effect above the "thread" display.


ATM
ShackMan

Originally Posted by shackman

Of the recent changes, I like the chest display effect above the "thread" display.


ATM
ShackMan

Yea of all people I would expect you to like that more then the rest of us (not that I don't love it).

I like the Changes and I know it must have been hard to pull the trigger to actually do it. Excellent work guys!!

I too must congratulate the admin on the crisp new look... Really impressive

I thought the small bold graphic of the "dent" above the title was the logo (unless I'm mistaken. Apologies, but I don't log in much anymore due to hectic schedules). I personally think that is a great logo. Simple, bold and very unique. If this isn't the logo, I'm curious to see what the actual logo will be. Great website, too!!

Originally Posted by Darth Flan

I like the Changes and I know it must have been hard to pull the trigger to actually do it. Excellent work guys!!

It was indeed a hard trigger to pull, especially knowing how much many of our members have come to love the angels logo. I can't tell you how pleased we are with the overwhelmingly positive response!

Been a lurker on the forum for a while before joining and I have to say I love the new look.
It really stands out from the other forums out there in that it has an entirely custom look, no prefab forum junk here!
As for the logo I do like the angels logo but that isn't really unique, the new logo is and is easily identifiable as TDH.
Ps. love the photowork on the frontpage!