cdc Brandcreation

Georges Huel (1930–2019) was a renowned Canadian graphic designer, born in Montreal, whose career spanned advertising, branding, and cultural projects. He founded his own studio in the 1960s and became a pivotal figure in Quebec's modernist design scene, emphasizing simplicity, symmetry, and functionality. Huel's most iconic work is the emblem for the 1976 Montreal Olympics (Games of the XXI Olympiad), co-designed with Pierre-Yves Pelletier.

Commissioned in 1972 by Mayor Jean Drapeau—Huel's longtime friend—without an open competition, the logo bypassed global submissions to favor a local talent. Unveiled in 1975, it ingeniously integrates an "M" for Montréal with the five Olympic rings: the rings form the M's curves, evoking a victor's podium, a stadium track, and medal ribbons. Rendered in solid red Univers typeface, it symbolized unity and Quebecois pride amid the Games' historic first for Canada (July 17–August 1, 1976).

Huel aimed for "clean and neat" efficiency, building on predecessors like Mexico '68 and Munich '72. The design's grid-based standards manual ensured precise reproduction across medals, posters, and venues. Though the Olympics faced financial scandals, the logo endures as a Canadian design triumph, influencing global branding and even the beaver mascot Amik (also under Huel's oversight). Huel later reflected on its "obvious" genius, regretting it wasn't used earlier.

Chris Yaneff, a Canadian graphic designer, crafted the iconic Commodore logo in 1965, originally for the company’s typewriters and calculators. This stylized "C" with a swallow-tailed flag, affectionately nicknamed "chicken lips," featured red and blue colors symbolizing innovation and nostalgia. Its geometrically simple design, with a slight ellipticity, scaled effortlessly across products. The logo gained legendary status with the Commodore 64, launched in 1982, which sold over 17 million units. Early "silver label" C64 models showcased a silver version, while later iterations adopted the classic red-and-blue scheme, becoming a hallmark of 1980s computing culture. Despite Commodore’s bankruptcy in 1994, the logo’s legacy endures, preserved by trademark holders and recreated by retro enthusiasts. Yaneff’s other works remain largely undocumented, making this design his enduring contribution to tech history.

Photo Credit: Commodore International Historical Society