Geffen Records, Geffen Pictures logos
Contributed by Stephen Coles on Feb 9th, 2015. Artwork published in
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Source: cinema.theiapolis.com License: All Rights Reserved.
Production company credit for Beavis and Butt-head Do America, 1996.
The Geffen symbol was designed by Saul Bass in 1980 and is reminiscent of Rene Magritte’s 1931 painting Voice of space. The Geffen logos initially used L&C Hairline with a modified ‘G’. In 1982 (at least for Geffen Records) the ultra light type was replaced with ITC Eras and heavier weights were used over time. Eras’ roman has a slight slant built in. Bass/Yager & Associates tilted it backwards to an upright position for the logo.
Source: www.discogs.com License: All Rights Reserved.
Wild Things Run Fast by Joni Mitchell, 1982.
License: All Rights Reserved.
The Wanderer by Donna Summer, 1980. Geffen Records’ first release.
Source: gds.parkland.edu License: All Rights Reserved.
Source: logos.wikia.com License: All Rights Reserved.
Evolution of Geffen Pictures logos, 1982–97.
3 Comments on “Geffen Records, Geffen Pictures logos”
Adobe’s PostScript Type 1 version of ITC Eras came in a hybrid format including a low-res version that suppresses its very slight slope, a subtlety that wouldn’t work well on 300 dpi devices. More info by Mark Simonson and Bob Evans on Typophile, and by Thomas Phinney on the Adobe Blog. This is from 1989, though. The upright Eras used for the Geffen logo came earlier.
The Geffen Records identity was designed by Mamoru Shimokochi; Concept by Dean Smith, Design Director at Saul Bass.
Thank you, Anne! I’ve added the credits.