Was Apple inspired by Aol?
You gotta wonder -- at least I did -- if Apple was inspired by the creative doodlings of AOL in crafting their invitation to their press event on Jan. 27, where the highly anticipated tablet, or "iSlate", device is expected to appear.
A similar artistic sentiment appears to be at work in both instances. You've got bursts of bright colors that encase the company's logo (Apple) or name (Aol).
Both sets of corporate art work want to yell at you: look at how whimsical and creative we can be with bright colors!
Check 'em out side by side: What do you think? 
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Comments
There's clearly a similarity but sure AOL don't have ownership of a white logo reversed out of a coloured background?
Posted by: Mat Dolphin | January 26, 2010 10:15 AM
lulz Gus have u not got anything better to do?
Posted by: Simon Whybray | January 26, 2010 10:18 AM
Was Apple inspired by Aol? 'Fraid not. I see where you're coming from Gus but placing a logo or text white-out of a background image is not anything close to being new – hence why Aol. and Wolff Olins were criticised so vehemently when this new 'identity' was released.
I'd suggest that the 'paint splatter' creative is possibly a nod at the more freeform aspect of this new Apple tablet, suggestion freedom and less restriction. Possibly.
Either way, Apple is one of the world's best branded companies with an iconic logo to match. Aol is not and with what they have at the moment, won't get close.
Posted by: Martin Boath | January 26, 2010 10:23 AM
Bright colors and a reversed/white logo were hardly invented by Aol./Wolff Olins. I love WO's work, but I think you're grasping at straws here... slow news day?
Posted by: Ryan | January 26, 2010 10:25 AM
Inspired? White logo on colored background? I dont think spraypaint is a new concept in graphic design eighter..
Posted by: thomas | January 26, 2010 10:31 AM
No! It;s just adding icing to the cake from the iPod brand.
Posted by: Mark | January 26, 2010 10:45 AM
Seriously? About the only think in common is the white text--you're comparing one design to a collection of six (This is why techies should not write graphic design articles). On a side note, Apple's nonrepresentational grunge background is cliche in graphic design now. At least AOL used representational or abstracted images.
Posted by: Ellis | January 27, 2010 6:54 AM
Having bright colours and white out logo doesn't make it a rip off in my book sorry Gus.
Posted by: Rak | January 28, 2010 12:56 AM
AOLs video with the progression of many images actually has the Aol. logo over some paint splatter as well.
Can you share a link? -gs
Posted by: Chris | January 28, 2010 3:31 PM
Grasping at straws? What straws?
search: "straws" not found
Good idea:
leading brand copies sad scenario of the decade
might work!!!
Posted by: Zeno Cossini | January 31, 2010 8:04 AM
Humm it seems like AOL is trendsetter, first Apple and now Yahoo;s Koprol.
See one of their T-shirt design is like AOL brand. http://blog.koprol.com/2010/04/juara/
Posted by: Technologymadness.com | May 25, 2010 10:08 AM