King Charles III's new cypher is a design classic

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  • Опубліковано 6 тра 2024
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    Today we use the new British royal cypher to dive deep on the design of royal monograms and how they are used.
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    0:00 The Queen's "logo" was her royal cypher
    0:32 What exactly is a cypher?
    1:05 Queen Elizabeth II's cypher
    2:18 The cypher of King Charles III
    3:16 When monograms go wrong
    3:49 A typographic side-by-side
    4:18 Lettering course on Tuts+
    4:45 Sponsor - Envato Elements
    5:43 The challenge with crowns
    7:46 Comparison with previous British monarchs
    9:06 Comparison with other current European monarchs
    11:46 Dual cyphers
    Correction:
    1:13 Crowned, not coronated.
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 1,2 тис.

  • @bjorn7355
    @bjorn7355 Рік тому +2166

    What is special about Queen Magrete of Denmarks monogram is that she designed it herself.

    • @daniellekiey-thomas1327
      @daniellekiey-thomas1327 Рік тому +50

      I didn’t know that, but I did wonder 👍

    • @onomatopoetisk
      @onomatopoetisk Рік тому +37

      Wow! Nice!

    • @ibrahimkalmati9379
      @ibrahimkalmati9379 Рік тому +46

      That why it is so beautiful.

    • @miguelpadeiro762
      @miguelpadeiro762 Рік тому +69

      Reminds me of the Portuguese king D. Pedro IV, who composed the national anthem himself

    • @m.a.6478
      @m.a.6478 Рік тому +252

      Didn't know, but I'm not surprised. She worked as a graphics artist under a pseudonym and designed the illustrations for the danish translation of Lord of the Rings. She sure is good at it, the monogram is awesome.

  • @timg5828
    @timg5828 Рік тому +631

    “Because the positive and negative space weren’t considered, it feels cramped and awkward” you have precisely described the TTC experience 👏🏼

    • @edwardianmystery
      @edwardianmystery Рік тому +28

      The feeling of dread that washed over me when that logo appeared on my screen. Oh goodness.

    • @a.r11384
      @a.r11384 Рік тому +9

      I had to go back and check if he was actually from Toronto. Lol

    • @nottimhortons
      @nottimhortons Рік тому +7

      And people still insist on keeping the logo. I mean, yeah sure, history, but bypassing that, this logo is pretty old. If I design a new symbol for the TTC, it would have elements inspired by the old logo, but graphically cleaner.

    • @debbylou5729
      @debbylou5729 Рік тому +2

      @@nottimhortonslooking forward to see your ‘Royal’ cipher. Of course you’d have to be a royal, with like a country. Love your enthusiasm. Also love the fact that no one EVER thought of that! Mind blown! Positive no one ever said, ‘you know….I’d like to have one that’s my own, ORIGINAL cipher’. While claiming a position that is exclusively based on the past

    • @debbylou5729
      @debbylou5729 Рік тому +4

      Ok, so what’s a ‘TTC’ experience? I’m sure you’re clever in your circle, but…….

  • @konkey-dong
    @konkey-dong Рік тому +435

    Ooh that George V one is gorgeous and very clever with how it forms an R from a mirrored G with an extra stroke

    • @tooleyheadbang4239
      @tooleyheadbang4239 Рік тому +15

      British Railways also did this, when they still used graphic designers rather than advertising executives.

  • @asgautbakke8687
    @asgautbakke8687 Рік тому +214

    You could have added that some royal monograms have a history quite apart from their graphic design. During the German occupation of Norway the H7 monogram of king Haakon VII, looking much like the modern one for Harald V You presented, was a potent badge of resistance. It was hastily painted as graffiti, carved in stones by night, or scraped in snow. Very simple to make and absolutely unequivocal as a symbol of national loyalty.

  • @diecicatorce6259
    @diecicatorce6259 Рік тому +1130

    I'm a spaniard and I didn't even know that we had a cypher for our king, frankly our monarchy is only represented by the crown, and it's the one on the flag, so it doesn't change from one king to the next, I'm sure 99% of spaniards have never seen that cypher you showed haha

    • @no1fanofthepals
      @no1fanofthepals Рік тому +58

      The cypher here is just to represent the actual monarch themselves. To represent the monarchy in general, you have the crown

    • @diecicatorce6259
      @diecicatorce6259 Рік тому +53

      @@no1fanofthepals what I meant is that everything here like the police, army and mail have the state crown, the one on the flag, unlike the UK, who has the Monarch's cypher

    • @calum5975
      @calum5975 Рік тому +19

      @@diecicatorce6259 Most of them do have The Crown too. The Monogram is only really seen on Postboxes, which no one really uses anymore anyhow.
      Local police forces (we don't have national police) normally have a silver medallion (or star) with the county coat of arms in the middle with a crown on top. The army... Well who knows regimental flags and colours outside of the army.
      It's only the Metropolitan Police which use the monogram. Those other examples he lists are much more nuanced and most people will never come into contact which.

    • @thepatriarchy819
      @thepatriarchy819 Рік тому +15

      Arriba España

    • @El_Rey_247
      @El_Rey_247 Рік тому +38

      Reminds me of a reddit post on /r/AskLatinAmerica which asked how Latinoamérica's view of the Spanish royal family compared with the US view of the British royal family. The overwhelming response was, "Spain has a royal family?"

  • @brutenable
    @brutenable Рік тому +286

    A small point, but the word isn't coronated, it's crowned. The Queen was crowned at the coronation. The coronation is the whole thing, the crowning is when the OTT headgear is placed on ones head.

    • @sheilaghbrosky4150
      @sheilaghbrosky4150 Рік тому +7

      Some people just can't learn. I told him the difference over 2 weeks ago.

    • @cdw2468
      @cdw2468 Рік тому +71

      @@sheilaghbrosky4150 there’s a lot of comments, maybe he didn’t see yours. and even if he did, maybe he forgot. no need to be so rude and dismissive

    • @RasheedKhan-he6xx
      @RasheedKhan-he6xx Рік тому +25

      @@sheilaghbrosky4150 Also, how good is your Swedish, or did you miss the bit where he tells us he's a Swede? His English is actually so good he sounds like (and makes fewer mistakes than) a native speaker.

    • @mollytovxx4181
      @mollytovxx4181 Рік тому +8

      @@RasheedKhan-he6xx He was born in Sweden and lives there now, but he grew up in Australia. I'm pretty sure English is one of his first languages (or has been speaking it since he was very young which is basically the same thing). In any case it seems much more likely that he didn't see the other person's comment, forgot about it, or had already made this video, rather than it having anything to do with being Swedish.

    • @qwertyuiop.lkjhgfdsa
      @qwertyuiop.lkjhgfdsa Рік тому +5

      @@sheilaghbrosky4150 you say that as if he -or any popular ytber- reads comments lmao

  • @graphiquejack
    @graphiquejack Рік тому +172

    The designer who created Charles’ monogram hit the nail on the head. It’s a good balance of strong and elegant… more refined than Elizabeth’s but less fussy than some of their predecessor’s. I enjoy the florid, loopy forms from the past but they don’t feel very modern. Charles wants to have a slimmed down monarchy that reflects economy and I think this works perfectly. Bravo!

    • @davidhoward4715
      @davidhoward4715 Рік тому +3

      Nice analysis.

    • @HepCatJack
      @HepCatJack Рік тому

      Is hitting the nail on the head a good thing ? If it's a nail used in construction, it serves its purpose, if it's a toe nail not so much.

    • @aylaz.
      @aylaz. Рік тому +5

      @@HepCatJack It's a good thing, as in saying: Two birds with 1 stone. And displays meanings such as; accuracy, pleasantry.

    • @jimdake6632
      @jimdake6632 Рік тому

      Triumph of form over substance.

  • @hakonsoreide
    @hakonsoreide Рік тому +474

    Nice video. I like how King Charles' crown has a stronger curve at the bottom, which goes with the curve of the C, making the crown and the lettering relate to each other better than in Elizabeth's cypher.
    Queen Margrethe is an amazing artist and designer, and her cypher has always been a favourite of mine, both as a piece of design and for its artistry and immediate beauty even when viewed as an entirely abstract symbol. I was well impressed when I saw a documentary made for her 60th birthday and realised she'd made it herself.

    • @RaymondHng
      @RaymondHng Рік тому +9

      The dual monogram of Margrethe II and her late husband Henrik, Prince Consort looks especially beautiful. It's on her Wikipedia page. The Queen also has her own personal monogram in addition to her royal monogram.

    • @hakonsoreide
      @hakonsoreide Рік тому +6

      @@RaymondHng thanks for pointing out the joint monogram. It's an interesting one, with a higher level of abstraction, and even a heart shape in it. That said, it also looks uncannily like Cthulhu.
      Nice as it is, her royal cypher remains my favourite, though, as it has been since I first spotted it on Danish coins when we went to Denmark on holiday in 1980.

    • @meeeka
      @meeeka Рік тому +1

      Fred and Mary (Danish Crown Prince Pair) also have an unusual cypher, designed for them by HM Queen Margarethe.

    • @RaymondHng
      @RaymondHng Рік тому

      @@meeeka Meanwhile, Prince Joachim’s monogram is boring.

    • @marypasco2213
      @marypasco2213 Рік тому

      That is another thing I noticed was the 2 crowns. Her Late Majesty's has a heart-shaped top, while His Majesty's top looks like shoulders. That is the most immediate difference I noticed.

  • @inesis
    @inesis Рік тому +116

    _[on the verge of tears]_ Impressive, very nice, let's see Paul Allen's cypher

    • @fuzzzone
      @fuzzzone Рік тому +11

      This deserves *so* many more likes. I regret I have but one to give.

  • @bjarnemcdonald6333
    @bjarnemcdonald6333 Рік тому +84

    Queen of Denmark have made her monogram herself, and have also done monograms to other royal houses...

    • @qwertyTRiG
      @qwertyTRiG Рік тому +31

      Everything I've heard about Queen Margrethe suggests she's a very talented woman.

    • @sarasamaletdin4574
      @sarasamaletdin4574 Рік тому +15

      Her making illustrations for Tolkien’s works is my favorite fact about her.

    • @RaymondHng
      @RaymondHng Рік тому +4

      @@qwertyTRiG ​ The dual monogram of Margrethe II and her late husband Henrik, Prince Consort looks especially beautiful. It's on her Wikipedia page. The Queen also has her own personal monogram in addition to her royal monogram. Her second son, Prince Joachim's monogram, leaves a lot to be desired.

    • @bjarnemcdonald6333
      @bjarnemcdonald6333 Рік тому

      @@RaymondHng I think it looks modern, and Joachim is not going to be a monarch, then she can design it more freely

  • @papaquonis
    @papaquonis Рік тому +54

    I love Queen Margrethe's monogram.

    • @LordDim1
      @LordDim1 Рік тому +21

      Yeah it is really good; what makes it even better is the fact she designed it personally, as she is an accomplished graphic artist

    • @RaymondHng
      @RaymondHng Рік тому +3

      ​@@LordDim1 The dual monogram of Margrethe II and her late husband Henrik, Prince Consort looks especially beautiful. It's on her Wikipedia page. The Queen also has her own personal monogram in addition to her royal monogram. Her second son, Prince Joachim's monogram, leaves a lot to be desired.

    • @margaretporter6787
      @margaretporter6787 Рік тому

      My goodness there's so much to be changed now . Stamps, money . letter heading , street furniture the list goes on and on.

  • @janrogers8352
    @janrogers8352 Рік тому +61

    The styles of the monograms, subtly reflect both the person and the times. Victoria's reflected the trend for ornamentation, while Elizabeth's has proven to be more about solid stability. The cypher for King Charles looks clean and simple, making it suitable for more modern times.

    • @HelenHumphries
      @HelenHumphries Рік тому

      You hit it right on the head, he is Simple.

  • @MedlifeCrisis
    @MedlifeCrisis Рік тому +120

    This is pretty much the only royal video I’ve watched after the queen’s death! Great stuff as ever

    • @LinusBoman
      @LinusBoman  Рік тому +39

      Cheers mate. I'm no royalist myself, but it's an inescapable and fascinating part of our visual culture.

    • @tvre0
      @tvre0 Рік тому +5

      you're a funny guy

    • @brad5426
      @brad5426 Рік тому

      Okay?

  • @henrikstangeland
    @henrikstangeland Рік тому +211

    Didn't think I could find royal monograms such an interesting topic, but -of course- a Linus Boman video never disappoints!

  • @oaktree__
    @oaktree__ Рік тому +24

    I live in Toronto and the TTC logo/monogram being an example of "how things can easily go wrong" is just so... TTC. North America's Best Transit System of 2017, everyone!!11
    (In fairness, "Cramped and awkward" is basically how I feel while commuting, so maybe the TTC actually did a good job after all?)

  • @bostonrailfan2427
    @bostonrailfan2427 Рік тому +114

    the cypher isn’t replaced everywhere, only on government buildings, regalia, and official documents the cyphers replaced: everything else retains the cypher at time of dedication or casting. it’s why there’s many VR cyphers out there alongside EVIIR and GVR and GVIR cyphers not to mention the rare EVIIIR cypher
    and Elizabeth’s cypher was less ornate than her uncle, grandfather’s and ancestors as they mixed the letters with the numbers in a more ornate styling

    • @himoffthequakeroatbox4320
      @himoffthequakeroatbox4320 Рік тому +3

      I'm not that old, but we had a George V one on our street when I was a kid. I wonder if they just leave them where they are or gradually relocate the older ones to more, umm, upmarket areas.

    • @mancubwwa
      @mancubwwa Рік тому +1

      Well there are also uniforms of the raven-feeders from the Tower of London (I know they have some sort of name and that they are also guards and much more, that was a joke ok?), I'm pretty sure it will be replaced on those. And when I first visited UK that is the place where I first seen noticed the Cypher.

    • @bostonrailfan2427
      @bostonrailfan2427 Рік тому +2

      @@mancubwwa those are the most prominent as they wear their regalia daily, so would need replacement immediately

    • @scented-leafpelargonium3366
      @scented-leafpelargonium3366 Рік тому +1

      @bostonrailfan2427 : You can still find postboxes with royal ciphers on them in the Republic of Ireland. They just paint them green instead of red! More modern ones do not have them.

    • @simonbutterfield4860
      @simonbutterfield4860 Рік тому

      @@mancubwwa They're called Beefeaters (where that name comes from I haven't a clue). They are generally former armed forces personel and guard the tower of London where the Crown Jewells are kept.

  • @dankeman5266
    @dankeman5266 Рік тому +453

    To my untrained eye, King Charles cypher really does seem much more balanced, elegant and overall more beautiful than Elizabeths.

    • @lancerd4934
      @lancerd4934 Рік тому +91

      I think the two monograms actually reflect a lot about the separate monarch's personalities. The EIIR monogram is broad, with thick straight lines. It's heavy. Elisabeth II saw her role as monarch as being the anthropomorphic representation of the state and her monogram reflects the weight and gravitas of the nation. Charles III is more elegant, lighter, more aesthetically pleasing, but it feels like a private monogram, like it's about looking good because it represents his person as king, not as the embodiment of the nation.

    • @gc2696
      @gc2696 Рік тому +24

      The Queen's perfect.

    • @patrickchoque7720
      @patrickchoque7720 Рік тому +42

      @@lancerd4934 First time I’ve heard anyone describe Charles as “elegant, light and aesthetically pleasing” 😂😂

    • @graphiquejack
      @graphiquejack Рік тому +12

      @@patrickchoque7720 now now. He was quite handsome in his youth. Play nice ;)

    • @trainrover
      @trainrover Рік тому +2

      cleptoparasite must be the polite reference for cuckoo

  • @Zandain
    @Zandain Рік тому +38

    HRH Queen Margrethe 2. has so much talent in her little finger, that she has actually designed ALL the Royal monograms, for the present Danish Royals
    a proud Dane 🌸

    • @pedanticradiator1491
      @pedanticradiator1491 Рік тому +2

      A proud Dane should know that their Queen is addressed in English as Her Majesty not Her Royal Highness

    • @Zandain
      @Zandain Рік тому +1

      @@pedanticradiator1491
      First I would prefer to be called for 'her Queen' and in Danish she is titulated, Her Royal Highness
      (Hendes Kongelige Højhed)

    • @pedanticradiator1491
      @pedanticradiator1491 Рік тому +1

      @@Zandain I'm sorry to assume your gender and according to Wikipedia Danish monarchs use Majesty

    • @ladyinsect6444
      @ladyinsect6444 Рік тому +2

      @@pedanticradiator1491it doesn’t look like English is her first language, maybe in English you’re right but in the end that is just a translation, and translations aren’t one to one.

  • @david_arthur_brown
    @david_arthur_brown Рік тому +11

    The queen may have been a feisty old bird but she wasn't coronated like one.
    "A person is crowned, not coronated. “Coronate” is improperly derived from “coronation,” but “crown” is the original and still standard form of the verb." "It is actually a word, and has been since the 17th century. However, its usage has been confined to flora and fauna - and as an adjective, not a verb. So a bird may have a plumage “coronate with blue feathers”.

    • @LinusBoman
      @LinusBoman  Рік тому +1

      Hah! Thanks, you learn something new every day! I knew there'd be something I missed in the script, though tbh I never expected it to be esoteric vocabulary from ornothology.

    • @imhotep2223
      @imhotep2223 Рік тому +4

      I hate it when people say "obligated" instead of "obliged" for exactly the same reason

    • @ragnkja
      @ragnkja Рік тому +3

      @@imhotep2223
      I thought “obliged” and “obligated” had subtly different meanings.

    • @EC2019
      @EC2019 Рік тому

      @@ragnkja Yes, the former means "to make someone morally or legally obliged to do something". The latter means "half-literate degenerate American".

    • @david_arthur_brown
      @david_arthur_brown Рік тому

      @@imhotep2223 Don't get me started on "use and utilise" or "insure and ensure". :-)

  • @spiritmatter1553
    @spiritmatter1553 Рік тому +11

    1:11 A mistake (made often by Americans) I’ve been seeing lately is to say that the new King will be “coronated” at his coronation. He will not. He will be…wait for it….CROWNED at his coronation. I suppose you could as correctly say that he’ll be crowned at his crowning. 👑 A coronation is a crowning ceremony.

    • @LordDim1
      @LordDim1 Рік тому +1

      Coronated is actually correct terminology for the act of crowning of a monarch, it’s just… very archaic and not really in regular use anymore

    • @davidboult4143
      @davidboult4143 Рік тому +2

      @@LordDim1 it has never been used for crowning monarchs, it is actually a medical term in a different context.

  • @nicholasdiezmckenna9972
    @nicholasdiezmckenna9972 Рік тому +17

    As one who is enthralled in monarchy, I cannot commend this informative and entertaining video enough. So nice to see such traditional and long-standing traditions used and in this case, discussed in the modern day. I personally would love to see more of the couples cyphers and historical ones also. Thank you for your video!

  • @kate_cooper
    @kate_cooper Рік тому +20

    I think George V’s postbox cypher is very fitting. Solid, sensible, straightforward, and practical, just like the man himself.

    • @dcarbs2979
      @dcarbs2979 Рік тому +3

      I saw a postbox video that agreed. In great contrast to the fussy Edward VII (both person and cypher).

  • @michaeljohnson-li5nn
    @michaeljohnson-li5nn Рік тому +25

    As an employee of Rolls-Royce here in the UK, I always thought the twin intertwined R’s look very stylish. It’s interesting to note that both the car maker and the Aerospace division of RR both share the use of this famous logo. The twin R’s were originally finished in a red/maroon colour. This changed to dark blue/black colour as a mark of respect when joint company founder Henry Royce died in 1933.

  • @yyy222y2
    @yyy222y2 Рік тому +99

    As a Torontonian, I just need to get my two cents in about the TTC logo. I can agree that the monogram is poorly designed, but I would argue that's not the point - the monogram is merely an element of the whole logo, and is never used in isolation. The monogram, crest, and wings combined identify the TTC, and is why it is used on everything from busses to maps to subway entrances.
    Feel free to talk smack about the TTC though, it's our favourite pastime

    • @KevinHuadftba
      @KevinHuadftba Рік тому +8

      There was a point in time where they did use the monogram by itself, for example on the sides of streetcars in the 40s. Glad they've moved away from doing that

    • @AlanWright14
      @AlanWright14 Рік тому +15

      Yup, I cringed when Linus mentioned the TTC monogram, but I figure, "Hey, its like the TTC itself: inelegant, but it gets you where you need, eventually." Still, be nice to see a well done redesign.

    • @jenniferk6697
      @jenniferk6697 Рік тому +1

      I got dizzy looking at it

    • @graphiquejack
      @graphiquejack Рік тому

      ‘This is garbage, mahma’

    • @Zshaan6493
      @Zshaan6493 Рік тому +7

      Didn't expect TTC to get roasted in a Royalty cypher video.
      Nowhere is safe fam

  • @FernandsLiveShowShow
    @FernandsLiveShowShow Рік тому +94

    Very intrigued and excited to hear your thoughts on this one - a Royal Rebranding (despite the obvious) is very apt indeed. Curious to hear what geeky royal design trivia you've dug up..!

  • @alexp3752
    @alexp3752 Рік тому +6

    Graphic designed and corporate identity specialist from California - Bravo! Excellent! Beyond expectations! Reviewing all necessary elements I could not imagine a better cypher! It's going to cost, pardon the pun, a king's ransom to change all the logos in the UK over time. Like I have always said, logos and images are essential visual tools as they should communicate positive attributes. Following tradition typically leads to simplicity. Simplicity equates to elegance. Elegance communicates strength, confidence and power. Again, fantastic job!

  • @MrAronymous
    @MrAronymous Рік тому +74

    I've only ever seen the alternate version of the Dutch king's cypher. A W and A where the halves of both the letters are connected so they form two mirrored interwoven lightning bolts. The stylisticly simpler one. That's also the one that got even more stylised into a logo for the 'coronation' in 2013. Never seen the version you showed, like ever.

    • @jobt1999
      @jobt1999 Рік тому +1

      Nog nooit dit logo gezien.

    • @Frrk
      @Frrk Рік тому +1

      Googling a bit on it, it looks better in the embroidered version, you don't see the harsh diagonal lines. Never seen it before either, just the ones for queen+king together.

    • @hannekehartkoorn5987
      @hannekehartkoorn5987 Рік тому

      Dit 'wildere' logo is een knipoog naar de ingang van de Ridderzaal.

    • @Jacob-W-5570
      @Jacob-W-5570 Рік тому +1

      same.

  • @AlanWright14
    @AlanWright14 Рік тому +52

    Yes, my first impression upon seeing King Charles' monogram, "That's quite good." I prefer it to Liz's, which felt utilitarian. Charles' cypher has a really nice balance, although I'm sure it is helped by the "C" being a simple, open shape, as opposed to the prickly "E" of his mother's.

    • @sophelet
      @sophelet Рік тому +4

      I think E is a particularly tricky letter, graphically, because it isn't symmetrical, doesn't have ascenders or descenders. Could've put the E back to back with the R, but then either the E is made secondary or the R is. There are a lot of lines to work out in a monogram, aren't there?

  • @BoredOfBills
    @BoredOfBills Рік тому +13

    Interesting video. I hope this helps someone - although "coronate" is a verb in English it is VERY rarely used and the past tense "coronated" is NEVER used. Instead, we would just say "Crowned".

  • @papics
    @papics Рік тому +34

    For Norway, I have the feeling that how the H and 5 crosses and creates a cross just like the one on their flag is not a coincidence.

    • @ragnkja
      @ragnkja Рік тому +4

      It’s heavily inspired by his grandfather’s H7 monogram, where the crossbar of the H also becomes that of the 7. The intervening king, Olav V, didn’t have as much to work with for a monogram, so his was less interesting because there’s only so much you can do with an O.

    • @Si-Al-Ti
      @Si-Al-Ti Рік тому +4

      Looks like an oil rig, which is fitting I guess

  • @stevecarter8810
    @stevecarter8810 Рік тому +14

    We usually say she was crowned at the coronation, rather than coronated.

  • @brontewcat
    @brontewcat Рік тому +17

    No problem with Charles using his monogram in Scotland as Charles III. The previous King Charles were after all kings of Scotland, and Charles I was born there.

    • @sarasamaletdin4574
      @sarasamaletdin4574 Рік тому +1

      But if there hasn’t been royal cyphers in use for there for so long they might not be used to it and feel it too royalist.

    • @brontewcat
      @brontewcat Рік тому +5

      @@sarasamaletdin4574 I don’t understand. I don’t think many Scots have a problem with the Royal Family. In fact I think they are relatively popular- particularly if your saw how many people turned out to farewell the Queen.
      The issue was calling her Elizabeth II in Scotland, where there she is Elizabeth I. Charles is Charles III in both countries, so there is no problem with his cypher.

    • @shehannanayakkara4162
      @shehannanayakkara4162 Рік тому +1

      Except for the Jacobite Scots, who would probably say Bonnie Prince Charlie was Charles III

    • @brontewcat
      @brontewcat Рік тому +2

      @@shehannanayakkara4162 True, but he was not ever crowned.
      Ironically the heir to the Jacobite claim is German, much more so than the present Royal family. Charles’s grandmother was Scots.

  • @theabristlebroom4378
    @theabristlebroom4378 Рік тому +22

    First time I have seen your work. I was surprised at how elegant this video is, and how clearly I could hear, see, and follow along. Well done! Subbed.

  • @BadgerOfTheSea
    @BadgerOfTheSea Рік тому +3

    Fun fact about the college of arms: It has its own court house and runs trials where people can claim someone is using their coat of arms without a right to do so. The last time the court was in session was because a facebook meme page was using the city of Manchester's coat of arms, and the first thing the court had to rule on was if the court still existed.

  • @amylsmith
    @amylsmith Рік тому +5

    It's fascinating to me the updating they'll have to do across all the applications, excluding ones you mentioned. When my workplace rebranded it was a nightmare trying to track down all the places our logo was, I can't imagine trying to do that for a long-reigning monarch!

  • @sofiaormbustad7467
    @sofiaormbustad7467 Рік тому +13

    Also, king Harald V's monogram is based upon his grandfather's, king Haakon VII. His grandfather was the first king which reigned in Norway only in 600 years. And he fled the country during WW2 and was very instrumental in modernizing the monarchy and make it less splendous and elitist than the rest of Europe, like how they decided to stop crowning monarchs. So Haakon VII became known as the first people's king, Folkekonge, and then his son, Olav V continued the pattern and was very close to the people, he even took the tram during the energy and fuel crisis on the 1970s. His son again, our current king Harald V has also continued the trend of being the king of the people. Though I suspect his son, which will probably either become Haakon 8 or Magnus 8, will struggle more with this as he has gotten alot of favours from rich people, took his children from public school and let them go on a private elitist school and he has no links to the resistance in WW2. Anyways, Harald V has a very interesting name, as his name starts with the same letter as his grandfather and he has the same number as his father. Though he has always been named Harald, so it was probably no coincidence.

    • @pedanticradiator1491
      @pedanticradiator1491 Рік тому +2

      King Haakon VII whose real name was Carl or Charles was a godfather to King Charles III

  • @rogerwilco2
    @rogerwilco2 Рік тому +14

    I really like the Margrethe of Denmark one.
    It looks like a dress to me.
    I had never seen the one of my own king, Willem Alexander of the Netherlands.

    • @ZerakTul
      @ZerakTul Рік тому +2

      She illustrated an edition of the Lord of the Rings books, so not surprising she'd pick a monogram that's very flowing and artistic.

    • @RaymondHng
      @RaymondHng Рік тому

      @@ZerakTul ​ The dual monogram of Margrethe II and her late husband Henrik, Prince Consort looks especially beautiful. It's on her Wikipedia page. The Queen also has her own personal monogram in addition to her royal monogram. Her second son, Prince Joachim's monogram, leaves a lot to be desired.

  • @LinusBoman
    @LinusBoman  Рік тому +123

    Check out Envato Elements 👉 1.envato.market/c/3671954/1159027/4662?subId1=video1 (since this video was published, free trials have been discontinued).
    NB: I should have said *"crowned" instead of "coronated"* - thank you for the the many diligent comments. Also, I somehow missed that Queen Margrethe of Denmark designed her own monogram, all the more remarkable! This was a fun rabbit hole to fall down, and there's definitely more nerdy design content coming to the channel before the end of the year, so stay tuned.

    • @RustyBrakes
      @RustyBrakes Рік тому +1

      I really enjoyed chatting to the live audience for it! I think it's nice to only have half a day of countdown for a Premiere though, it frustrates me to see some channels that post "Premiere in 5 days" or similar. Thanks for the great video!

    • @KasSommers
      @KasSommers Рік тому +7

      I did twitch when you said "coronated." This was a great video. I don't know the first thing about design, but "I know what I like" and you've helped me to understand why I like some and not others.

    • @msmalice6007
      @msmalice6007 Рік тому +2

      just watched the evil corporation branding and american psycho videos and i feel like kpop companies and their groups would be an interesting thing to look at because logos are such a huge part of it. also a group called clc has had the weirdest typography/logos from just using copperplate to a logo where the letters clc are designed to look like a cat to getting a more classic and simple logo right before their company banned them from releasing new music. i feel like your evil corporation video there’s a lot there regarding storytelling

    • @henryattfield8979
      @henryattfield8979 Рік тому

      I agree with you on the vr cypher

    • @greattubing2880
      @greattubing2880 Рік тому

      I wonder how much it will cost?

  • @kamranahmad4592
    @kamranahmad4592 Рік тому +1

    3:23 I'm from Toronto - love your take on the TTC's logo - "jumbled, cramped, and awkward". Perfect description of the TTC's service most of the time!

  • @secretscarlet8249
    @secretscarlet8249 Рік тому +13

    I have never thought of royal ciphers and their history, but now I'm intrigued! I hope you'll explore more, even perhaps royal seals/symbols of the eastern countries. Might be challenging but it's interesting how people across oceans have similar yet unique design principles.

  • @carolwaugh5466
    @carolwaugh5466 Рік тому +4

    I learn so much on UA-cam, and this video is no exception. Fascinating - I had no idea about ciphers. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

  • @noelstr
    @noelstr Рік тому +46

    The cypher of Stephen I, King of Hungary (1000-1038) is quite well-known here for some reason. If you take into account that it was designed over one thousand years ago, it’s not too bad…

    • @noelstr
      @noelstr Рік тому +6

      Although back then they didn’t just use the initials but all the letters in “STEPHANVS REX”

    • @metallsnubben
      @metallsnubben Рік тому +4

      It looks cool but I certainly couldn't have guessed what it was meant to say haha
      You can tell he really wanted some "chi ro" vibes in the middle

    • @gergelysz2997
      @gergelysz2997 Рік тому +6

      If i am not mistaken it was inspired by Charlemagne's own cypher, so its even older.

    • @ragnkja
      @ragnkja Рік тому +2

      @@metallsnubben
      That’s probably why it’s called a cypher.

    • @davidsmart8594
      @davidsmart8594 Рік тому +2

      @@kingcharlesiii6970 Tsk tsk...please speak / write the King's English!
      "I would love to know...", not "will".

  • @junipervip681
    @junipervip681 Рік тому +4

    Excellent, well-researched video -- but I'm surprised that you did not comment more on the royal cypher most familiar to us: the bold, block letter E II R for Queen Elizabeth II. It's simplicity makes it the most distinctive royal cypher of all time, perhaps intended to mimic the austerity of her coronation time.

  • @kasparvg
    @kasparvg Рік тому +7

    I do agree that the danish queen's monogram is the best one, followed by Charles.

    • @RaymondHng
      @RaymondHng Рік тому

      The dual monogram of Margrethe II and her late husband Henrik, Prince Consort looks especially beautiful. It's on her Wikipedia page. The Queen also has her own personal monogram in addition to her royal monogram. Her second son, Prince Joachim's monogram, leaves a lot to be desired.

  • @JWMCMLXXX
    @JWMCMLXXX Рік тому +3

    Every graphic designer should study the different kinds of calligraphy. You will learn so much about letter forms and what exactly makes a recognizable character, so you can then tweak them with more skill. Highly recommended

  • @johnnzboy
    @johnnzboy Рік тому +11

    Very interesting. By the way, the British don't say 'coronated', the say 'crowned'.

  • @borbicus
    @borbicus Рік тому +3

    One of my favourites is the late Michael I, former King of Romania. The connected M's is pretty unique

  • @LittleNoiseBoy
    @LittleNoiseBoy Рік тому +5

    Thank you so much for that: I had no idea I was so interested in such things until you explained so beautifully the subtleties that make this impressive art... :-)

  • @AmaterianAngel
    @AmaterianAngel Рік тому +27

    Yes, the alternating and overlapping is so tricky and fiddly! Took me ages to get it to look semi good for our geeky logo (A space invader with it's arms and leges alternating with the letters GG).

    • @kingcharlesiii6970
      @kingcharlesiii6970 Рік тому

      Wow thanks for your comment on my youtube page . how are you?.I will love to know more about you!

  • @robertstallard7836
    @robertstallard7836 Рік тому +8

    That was VERY good.
    As someone who knows bugger-all about cyphers and arty farty grphic design, you made it interesting and informative. Thanks!

    • @loudgoat5241
      @loudgoat5241 Рік тому +1

      That's the mark of an ideal video essay: when the algorithm feeds you a subject you don't know and wouldn't necessarily seek out and yet you watch the whole thing attentively and enthusiastically. This one was relatively brief but it fit that standard.

    • @robertstallard7836
      @robertstallard7836 Рік тому +2

      @@loudgoat5241 Very true, Mr Goat!

  • @LucifersTear
    @LucifersTear Рік тому +3

    Margarete has such a gorgeous cypher! 😍

    • @RaymondHng
      @RaymondHng Рік тому

      The dual monogram of Margrethe II and her late husband Henrik, Prince Consort looks especially beautiful. It's on her Wikipedia page. The Queen also has her own personal monogram in addition to her royal monogram. Her second son, Prince Joachim's monogram, leaves a lot to be desired.

  • @astcrace
    @astcrace Рік тому +1

    3:23 I've been taking the TTC more than normal lately and everytime I see the mess of letters on the logo it makes me smile. It's just so bad, I love it!

  • @kiwilerner
    @kiwilerner Рік тому +4

    Thanks for a highly instructive and entertaining analysis and overview of the royal cyphers! I too love the simple but elegant design for Charles. Another neat touch that ties the elements together (which wouldn't really have been possible for Elizabeth) is that the top curve of the C is an echo of the bottom curve in the crown, so it truly looks as if the crown is sitting atop Charles's head, so to speak.
    (I do wish the arches were identical, so the white space between them continued the pattern; I think it'd be even more subtly pleasing if only subconscious to the viewer. But that's me just nitpicking.)

  • @RivoClavis
    @RivoClavis Рік тому +5

    Queen Margrethe II has a bit of an unfair advantage on design compared to other monarchs. She's an accomplished artist in her own right in several fields, including some very evocative illustrations for the danish translations of Lord of the Rings.

    • @RaymondHng
      @RaymondHng Рік тому +1

      The dual monogram of Margrethe II and her late husband Henrik, Prince Consort looks especially beautiful. It's on her Wikipedia page. The Queen also has her own personal monogram in addition to her royal monogram. Her second son, Prince Joachim's monogram, leaves a lot to be desired.

  • @Stepica
    @Stepica Рік тому

    Thank you UA-cam algorithm for recommending me this great video about a topic I never even considered. And well done Linus!

  • @oldiegoodman
    @oldiegoodman Рік тому +1

    Glad to see another video of yours reaching 1 mi. You deserve every view. Keep it up!
    Suggestion: review logos of games, especially the classic ones which were limited by low resolutions.
    Have a great day.

  • @janetclaireSays
    @janetclaireSays Рік тому +4

    This was such an interesting and well delivered video, thank you!

  • @Zveebo
    @Zveebo Рік тому +68

    I’m interested where you go with this one - I kind of thought the new cypher was a bit messy compared to the EIIR on first look tbh!

    • @Blissblizzard
      @Blissblizzard Рік тому +1

      The negative space is really intrusive, as the positive and negative space is too balanced. The 3 lines are particularly ugly and blocky and being dumpy, awkwardly spaced, and central freeze the attention.
      The C forming "the cowed dog's tail between the legs" look is quite unfortunate.
      Lacks harmony and elegance, the ER was unfussy and confident, this is very cliché and neurotic "inside and between" obsessive space filling.

  • @AlM22
    @AlM22 Рік тому

    Love it! Such a simple looking yet pretty design. Wow, the Denmark one is beautiful!

  • @anacletwilliams8315
    @anacletwilliams8315 Рік тому

    What a pleasant voice. Perfect pronunciation and diction. And the contest of the video so well explained. Short and fascinating.

  • @hannekehartkoorn5987
    @hannekehartkoorn5987 Рік тому +3

    The cypher you showed for Willem-Alexander is the more ornate one, that's used on uniforms etc. Actually it's wink to the logo of the Dutch seat of government, the Ridderzaal.
    On letterheads often the much more stylised logo is used.

  • @MultiSUPERLATIVO
    @MultiSUPERLATIVO Рік тому +4

    2:42 Interesting usage of latin (Regina/Rex) but also the usage of French in a curse in the former royal coat of arms of Elizabeth, in the form of "honi soit qui mal y pense", or "cursed be whoever thinks ill of this institution" in English. The design for Charles has more of the classic monogram than the one designed for Elizabeth. Nice explanation about the new drawing of the crown above Charles' monogram.
    7:10 Quite interesting description of the 747 in the black crown. But why the other 4 pearls appearing below the Maltese Cross aren't mentioned?
    The italian sociologist Giorgio Agamben wrote a great article about the origins of the monogram in his fantastic book "Profanations". He wrote: "a monogram is the secret name, given to us in the Garden of Eden, a name that cannot be spoken: represents force and law as well as an effigy might!"
    One of my favourite monograms is the one created by designer Cassandre for French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent, the incredible YSL.

    • @PurpleShift42
      @PurpleShift42 Рік тому

      The (Old) French is actually from the symbol and slogan of the Order of the Garter, which IIRC was founded by Edward III and named after an incident where he had to help some lady whose garter had fallen down tie it back up again. (Since elastic materials obviously did not exist in medieval Europe, the garter was the standard way of holding up stockings.) After he was done tying up the garter, he reportedly stood up and said the thing, basically saying that anyone who wanted to make slander out of it had the _real_ dirty/perverted minds for thinking he only did it to upskirt the lady. And so that's the backstory of the heraldic order, and people still get admitted into it in the British honours system (probably)

  • @Helen-kl3kl
    @Helen-kl3kl Рік тому +1

    Love that you're getting a lot of attention for this one linus! Your videos are great !

  • @rosaliegolding5549
    @rosaliegolding5549 Рік тому

    Excellent information to understand the use and backgrounds of the Cypher’s thank you 🤷‍♀️

  • @uncinarynin
    @uncinarynin Рік тому +12

    The C III R reminds me of the old round SNCF logo by Maximilien Vox of 1938 which also has intertwined letters. And I have no doubt the R has a larger bowl than Elizabeth's so that the Roman numeral III fits in.
    When it comes to crowns I like the approach in the KLM logo. Simple and timeless. Though of course this specific approach won't work for any other logos in crowns, the KLM crown is unique and trademarked.
    Harald 5's cypher borrows a lot from Haakon 7's (his pre-predecessor, whereas Olav V who came in between used a Roman V). I guess Haakon 8 will have fun with the symmetry of letter and digit.

  • @cald1421
    @cald1421 Рік тому +4

    Haha I’m glad I’m not the only one who noticed and was impressed by the new cypher for Charles. It is by far the best one out of the rest

  • @pipmitchell7059
    @pipmitchell7059 Рік тому +1

    I don't know how UA-cam suggestions knew I would find this interesting, but I did. Thanks! Very informative.

  • @sheilastahl633
    @sheilastahl633 Рік тому

    Your video on this matter was very interesting and beautiful. You did a superb job of describing each. Thanks!

  • @artj2657
    @artj2657 Рік тому +3

    Really enjoyed your video, thank you so much! 👌 The cypher of King Charles is very pleasing on the eye. Would definitely like to learn more about heraldry. History and traditions are fascinating.

  • @PaulFisher
    @PaulFisher Рік тому +5

    I’m an American and my primary exposure to cyphers has been via Canadian rowing clubs. I had only really learned about the concept of the cypher when the Queen died, and it was with your video that I made the connection and realized those icons with fancy intertwined lettering were themselves cyphers.
    The Ottawa Rowing Club has an elaborate classically-styled cypher (visible on their Wikipedia page), while St Catharines uses a simpler one with SCRC arranged in an overlapping diamond. (There are others, but these two are the ones that come to mind since I have traded for their gear.)

  • @G1NZOU
    @G1NZOU Рік тому +1

    I'm always going to have some good feelings whenever I pass by my local postbox with the E II R on it, but I'm looking forward to spotting any new ones with Charles' cypher on it them.

  • @jeffmotsinger8203
    @jeffmotsinger8203 Рік тому

    Love your presentation style and sense of style, very informative, thanks.

  • @loudgoat5241
    @loudgoat5241 Рік тому +4

    Of all those reviewed in this video I might like that of King Charles the best. Its elegant and simple. I admit I like the unique nature of Harald V's cypher with the number 5 in there though.

  • @TheVleckChannel
    @TheVleckChannel Рік тому +3

    I like the C3R cypher a lot. I hoped it wouldn't be too ornate like Victoria's or George's. It's a well designed and elegant monogram.

  • @iPodnanoManInSweden
    @iPodnanoManInSweden Рік тому +1

    Your videos are always so much fun and interesting!

  • @GrahamSmith1616
    @GrahamSmith1616 Рік тому

    Thank you, well constructed and interesting, excellent pacing and graphics. Much appreciated.

  • @dawsie
    @dawsie Рік тому +4

    Like many from Scotland, never liked the cypher for EIIR, but having lived in England for a while before moving to Australia that’s were you got to see so many different cyphers. Must admit I do like the new one as you said it’s nicely balanced. I think with his lady wife it might present a challenge as they are both a C it will be interesting to see how they make distinctive.
    Here in Australia the mail boxes are mostly steel boxes and painted so I think as they are due to be repainted they will be changed then.
    Interesting subject it’s been a while since I have done any studies on cyphers, there have been a few new cyphers in the past 30-40 years.

    • @abydosianchulac2
      @abydosianchulac2 Рік тому

      It's interesting, will they be abbreviating Camilla Consort (CC), or Camilla Queen Consort (CCR), or something different? A variant of Charles' where the R is replaced with a smaller CR interlocking side by side could be interesting.

    • @PurpleShift42
      @PurpleShift42 Рік тому

      I don't normally see the royal cypher on AusPost mail boxes; unlike the British post I don't think Australia Post have the Royal Charter or whatever it is that lets them use that cypher in the branding. Though the P in a circle is very distinctive in and of itself and is a very nice design IMHO

  • @EgoLTR
    @EgoLTR Рік тому +12

    Dutch King Willem-Alexander often uses a much more modern logo. I would not have recognized the one you presented as a Dutch citizen, whereas I would have done so for the modern WA monogram!

  • @Cosford869
    @Cosford869 Рік тому +1

    I might've known Timothy Noad had designed the monogram. His work is excellent and all of his coinage designs have been outstanding pieces.

  • @nanohaffy
    @nanohaffy 8 місяців тому

    Charles' monogram was unexpectedly good, like really unexpectedly good, but Queen Margrethe's monogram is sooo beautiful! I'm not into design all that much, but being introduced to these gems that I would otherwise never encounter is such a treat.

  • @lotfibouhedjeur
    @lotfibouhedjeur Рік тому +4

    So elegant! For some reason I was expecting something horrible 😂

  • @bosoerjadi2838
    @bosoerjadi2838 Рік тому +5

    A bit sad that in this century we're not going to see a king or queen whose name starts with a T.
    T-Rex would have been an awesome moniker.

    • @robertstallard7836
      @robertstallard7836 Рік тому

      Excellent!

    • @sarasamaletdin4574
      @sarasamaletdin4574 Рік тому +1

      I suspect the royals are aware of that possibility and so avoid giving T names to their sons.

    • @bosoerjadi2838
      @bosoerjadi2838 Рік тому

      @@sarasamaletdin4574 My opinion of royal awareness in that respect isn't as high as yours. In present day, a King Edward would surely not have escaped getting called E-Rex. (Yes, I have a childish mind).

  • @evangray8001
    @evangray8001 Рік тому +1

    Was hoping you'd do a video on this! Perfect

  • @ochrechap
    @ochrechap Рік тому

    Very well-created video, Sir. I am impressed. Dialogue. Knowledge. Graphics. Filmography. Congratulations!

  • @Paul_Green
    @Paul_Green Рік тому +5

    The style of the monogram for Filipe VI looks like it's influenced by the Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi and reminds me of Park Guell.

  • @BlameThande
    @BlameThande Рік тому +3

    Great video, you almost never get to see European monarchies' ciphers if you're British so that was an interesting contrast.

  • @gvasari
    @gvasari Рік тому +2

    Speaking of old UK postboxes, you can also find "anonymous" postboxes with no cypher at all, which were produced from 1879 to 1887 and omitted Victoria's cypher by accident.

  • @derek-press
    @derek-press Рік тому

    I like it, it is simple but elegant, and as you commented I'm so glad they will not be changing the postboxes

  • @Desmaad
    @Desmaad Рік тому +5

    You overlooked the principalities of Liechtenstein and Monaco and the grand duchy of Luxembourg.

  • @brianherman7851
    @brianherman7851 Рік тому +5

    I read that the Royal College of Arms presented HM with ten options from which to choose. I would very much like to see the options that were not chosen.

  • @dodgeman777
    @dodgeman777 Рік тому

    Linus I've been binging your videos for the last few days and this is all the kind of stuff I've always enjoyed analysing, your channel is a real gem. Something I would love is for you to put together some kind of repository or catalogue of all these classic typefaces, either for download or a sort of catalogue with a brief description, usage and history of each, any plans for anything like this or maybe even a book recommendation you could give?

  • @solssun
    @solssun Рік тому

    I love it, there’s something masterful about the weighting

  • @hempmaiden
    @hempmaiden Рік тому +3

    Great informative video. But Linus, what do you think of the design of the emblem for the Queens 70th platinum jubilee, designed by 19 year old graphic design student Edward Roberts? I think it’s a fascinating and superb piece of graphic design, love the way the 7 is incorporated next to the 0 at the top of the Crown. The emblem has such a rhythmic quality to the line - no wonder it was chosen.

  • @Strivez
    @Strivez Рік тому +7

    You’re parts British, Australian, AND Swedish? Linus is truly Mr Morldwide

    • @Desmaad
      @Desmaad Рік тому +2

      Asian-Australian, I'd imagine.

    • @Kimuyaman
      @Kimuyaman Рік тому +3

      To me as a swede this is a funny reaction, as to us his name is so OBVIOUSLY swedish 😄 But i totally get why it's not obvious for others, as it's not a last name ending in "sson"

  • @feedtheflameforfacts
    @feedtheflameforfacts Рік тому +1

    Really enjoyed this video! Fascinating!

  • @calebmccracken2133
    @calebmccracken2133 Рік тому

    Really great work Linus. Really fascinating content.

  • @SansAppellation
    @SansAppellation Рік тому +14

    First thing I thought was, Real Madrid?

  • @TomBrienProfessional
    @TomBrienProfessional Рік тому +7

    Wow, can't get over that Danish one for Margareta II!

    • @RaymondHng
      @RaymondHng Рік тому

      The dual monogram of Margrethe II and her late husband Henrik, Prince Consort looks especially beautiful. It's on her Wikipedia page. The Queen also has her own personal monogram in addition to her royal monogram. Her second son, Prince Joachim's monogram, leaves a lot to be desired.

  • @michaelm5601
    @michaelm5601 Рік тому

    What a great explanation. I wish you were closer to me, I need a new logo and you seem like a good listener as well as a presenter

  • @caffeinatedkarl1725
    @caffeinatedkarl1725 Рік тому

    Just learned about your channel through a rec from Elliotisacoolguy, love how nerdy this is! Subbed super quick, love your work