Menifee City Seal Chosen
The Menifee City Council this evening unveiled the city's official seal... This design is actually a combination of two design concepts,...
http://www.menifee247.com/2009/05/menifee-city-seal-chosen.htm
The Menifee City Council this evening unveiled the city's official seal...
This design is actually a combination of two design concepts, merged together.
Originally, the city had fielded designs from 44 people. A city seal committee whittled it down to 10 finalists. The city council members then reviewed the 10, and offered their comments. From that, the committee ended up with the following two final designs...
These designs were submitted by Menifee residents, Michelle Fournier, and Gayle DuRivage. These two were awarded free champagne brunches at Menifee Lakes Country Club, along with certificates of proclamation. The other 8 finalists also received certificates.
The city then hired a local business services company, R & R Business Services to combine both designs into the single design.
When I saw the final city seal, the first thing I thought of was "Sierra Nevada Pale Ale"...
But that's just the beer guy in me.
I whispered over to Gary Thompson, the city's finance guy, that it looks like a Sierra Nevada beer label. He didn't quite hear me. The person sitting next to me heard me, and commented that it kinda looked like an orange crate label.
I could see that.
Either way, it's our city's new seal, whether it reminds you of beer or oranges.
So here's a question to everyone: what kind of bird is that? Hawk, Raven, or Turkey Vulture? You pretty much see all three around here.
This design is actually a combination of two design concepts, merged together.
Originally, the city had fielded designs from 44 people. A city seal committee whittled it down to 10 finalists. The city council members then reviewed the 10, and offered their comments. From that, the committee ended up with the following two final designs...
These designs were submitted by Menifee residents, Michelle Fournier, and Gayle DuRivage. These two were awarded free champagne brunches at Menifee Lakes Country Club, along with certificates of proclamation. The other 8 finalists also received certificates.
The city then hired a local business services company, R & R Business Services to combine both designs into the single design.
When I saw the final city seal, the first thing I thought of was "Sierra Nevada Pale Ale"...
But that's just the beer guy in me.
I whispered over to Gary Thompson, the city's finance guy, that it looks like a Sierra Nevada beer label. He didn't quite hear me. The person sitting next to me heard me, and commented that it kinda looked like an orange crate label.
I could see that.
Either way, it's our city's new seal, whether it reminds you of beer or oranges.
So here's a question to everyone: what kind of bird is that? Hawk, Raven, or Turkey Vulture? You pretty much see all three around here.
Wonder why they lost the wind mill?
ReplyDeleteGood question. I've been banking on the windmill motif for years!
ReplyDeleteBleh. It's sort of non-cohesive. Lots of scenery, but what does it say about the city? Crossroads of commerce? no. Agriculture? half-check. Livery? no. Technology? oh hell no! I propose the establishment of a blue-ribbon committee to determine whether the adopted city seal properly represents the city. I propose a redesign featuring golf carts, roadside signs, coned-off roads and gas stations.
ReplyDeleteI miss the windmill. What is says to me is open country, and that is not true. But it is what it is. I think the bird is a attempt at a hawk, but could be???
ReplyDeleteAs a design professional for over 20 years and one of the top 10 design submitters in this contest, I prefer the design by Michelle Fournier. They claim to have merged the to 2 finalist's designs, but I don't see it. The only thing I see is they hacked up Michelle's design and destroyed her overall concept.
ReplyDeleteThis is the result of allowing the City Council to make changes. Obviously, if you allow this option, everyone will want to leave their mark and thus have something to say. Regardless if it looks good or makes sense it will satisfy their egos just to say they had a part in it.
The windmill definitely should not have been taken out. I feel this is best symbol to represent our city.
I am sorry to say, I am very dissatisfied in this final version.
I miss the windmill too and although it's attractive..I think the one by Gayle is better..showing golfing and industry....
ReplyDeleteoh...the flying bird is definitely a turkey vulture...
ReplyDeleteI say vulture as well. It is symbolic of the Council Members.
ReplyDeleteThat "bird" is actually a spying device used by that guy in Menifee lakes.
ReplyDeleteThe same guy who is going love the new city logo that looks like a beer label.
"The same guy who is going love the new city logo that looks like a beer label."Coming from a guy drinks a lot of beer, I'm kinda proud of that city seal!
ReplyDeleteI love the seal! Although Ms. Fournier's design was great, I think the colors were too stark. I do wish they had a windmill in there too, but overall great job!
ReplyDeleteI love Gayle's design. The only thing that was used from her design in the final seal was the color scheme. The final choice for our City Seal is forgettable and very amature looking.
ReplyDeleteThe first thought I had was that it was designed by George Washington. Aren't we in the 21st century? This only shows a lack of class. Sad!
ReplyDeleteCompared to other city seals, it looks like it was done by a first-year MSJC graphic arts student.
ReplyDeletehttp://images.google.com/images?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=&q=city%20seal&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi
What a shame to have a city seal that looks like a third grader drawing. Again the City Council had to stick their nose in and spoil what appeared to be a nice design by Michelle Fournier and hacked it up. It says nothing of what this area is all about What a shame and wasted money.
ReplyDeleteBlah, blah, blah. You guys are sooooo negative!! You are going to critique the council every step of the way. Babies...
ReplyDeleteThe seal looks perfect. Great work. Very professional looking. Menifee should be very proud.
Get your pacifiers ready, here goes!!
The seal is attractive but it only shows a rural environmental setting. The urban images of the city was not shown. Remember, we have a population over 65,000.
ReplyDeleteCan you imagine the shock of an out of stater when visiting and discovering the city as a thriving, growing city in a rapidly developing statistical metropolitan area instead of a very small rural community. The urban images would conflict with the rural images shown in the seal. These urban images are the city's circulation system such as I-215 running through the city and major highways and roads crisscrossing through the city. Other urban images are the new commercial areas and residential subdivisions. These urban images conflict wiith the rural images in the seal that are more appropriate in rural areas of Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico.
The seal should be modified slightly by showing urban developments in the distance. If these urban images were to be added, then the seal will be enhanced and accurately portray the city.
vulture....good call on Sierra label.
ReplyDeleteI think the city council should consider the residents comments and revisit the seal design. There are many good points made on this posting alone to start this process.
ReplyDeleteDisapointed! How long befor we can change it?
ReplyDeleteIf George Washington had designed the seal, at least it would have some meaning and express some intellect. I don't get how George Washington equals lack of class.
ReplyDeleteI agree with most of the comments here, the seal is pretty lame. I like both of the other designs. As a designer myself, you can't let non-designers pick your design apart and make it what they think they want. This should have gone back to the artists themselves and let them forge their ideas together with input from whoever gets to have input.
ReplyDeleteThe pick-ax is appropriate - try digging here without one. Liked the windmill too.
to post: Blah, blah, blah. You guys are sooooo negative!! You are going to critique the council every step of the way. Babies...
ReplyDeleteThe seal looks perfect. Great work. Very professional looking. Menifee should be very proud.
Get your pacifiers ready, here goes!!
SHUD UP COUNCIL SUCK UP!
Love Terry Freeman's comments re: the stench from either the dairy farm or the Camp Ground. Something does need to be done because there are times when it is absolutely sickening. It is not just Tierra Shores that is affected... the revolting smell extends all the way into Menifee Lakes, Callie Kirkpatrick, etc. It is disgusting and needs to be addressed. There is no way that it is healthy for anyone to be breathing that in...
ReplyDeleteHmmmm...it's missing something. I wonder. Oh, I know! It's missing the thousands of tract homes bunched together like sardines in a can. Anyway, it's an interesting design. I don't like the overall green coloring, though.
ReplyDeleteWish they could have stuck close to the old Lusk "Town of a Lifetime" design.
I'm disappointing too. I like the oval shape that both oritinal designs have. Also, Gayles says "California" on it. We are not the only Menifee in the US. Yes, and is should have the windmill and some indication of our advancement beyond that odd tree and the other non-descriptive scenery. Oh, I do like the wheat.
ReplyDeleteThe bird is a hawk! I know R & R Management and Services. They have designed logos, shirts and signs for my company. They also do my accounting for my business. They have excellent people working for them. I like the logo!
ReplyDeleteRegarding Whanda's previous statement:
ReplyDelete########
The bird is a hawk! I know R & R Management and Services. They have designed logos, shirts and signs for my company. They also do my accounting for my business. They have excellent people working for them. I like the logo!
By Anonymous Whanda, at May 09, 2009 7:28 PM
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Sounds like someone has leaked a little inside information... I guess the reality is that the logo/seal is solely R & R Management's design under direction of the City Council.
Why then waste everyone's time with contests and judging committees if the city wanted to design the logo/seal on their own?
City politics here we come...
**Regarding the following: Sounds like someone has leaked a little inside information... I guess the reality is that the logo/seal is solely R & R Management's design under direction of the City Council.**
ReplyDeleteI didn't leak anything. R & R management merged the two designs that were submitted to the city because the city liked both designs. This information was presented to the city council and accepted. No conspiracy here!
I am not satisfied with the City Council's choice either. If the city liked the designs, then they should have maintained the integrity of the designs.
ReplyDeleteWhen you design a piece, there is much thought behind the decisions in choice of symbolism, colors and overall development of a strong brand that will distinguish themselves from others. This design falls short and doesn't allow Menifee to stand out from other cities.
The outcome was a hodgepodge of elements that don't necessarily make sense or are merged together properly. It looks exactly what it is; Two designs forced together that don't necessarily belong together. Not to mention the additions from a third party, whether it was the City Council's input or the graphics person the City had pull the logos together.
I think there may have been too many Chefs in this kitchen.
I think that the seal is good. Looks visually appealing. But I think that with all the scenery and landscaping depicted in it, the city should consider creating more scenic areas, such as parks and fields, instead of focusing so much on commercial and residential properties. It will be the best way to stay true to the seal.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jeff....both of the finalists designs were better than this. It was a contest and there should have been 1 winner. I think the windmill is an important component of our citys seal and the design that the "comittee" put together looks like something a 3rd grader would design if they were designing a label for "rocky mountain beer ".Scrap this really ugly design !!!
ReplyDeleteThis is a nice design! I like it. Why is everybody stuck on a dang windmill? The only windmill I am aware of is the one at the shopping center! It only goes back 6 months. If there is another, let me know. The quail encompasses Quail Valley, the hawk is common in Menifee and Oak trees are present in the valley! Great job to the designer. I would like to see all the naysayers come up with a better design. Email them to Steve, maybe he will post them.
ReplyDeleteThe seal is boring and bland just like your city!
ReplyDeleteThe oak tree looks like a mushroom, the bird is too small-as a proff artist, I'm sure the two winners are sad at the outcome. The water is also bumpy and should be straight across-it looks odd. These simple fixes would help tons! The windmill loss is a sad thing too-PUT IT BACK!!!!
ReplyDeleteForgot to add that the "established" part is too rounded and small- and the quail and tool are barely discernable- what happens when this sad seal goes on the side of city vehicles or is small on stationary? It will look dumb!The elements are fine-just done wrong!!!!!
ReplyDelete