COMMENTARY
imagine that
(Mike Allen)

You may have noticed the new Oklahoma brand, logo and “imagine that” slogan this past week. What’s that, you say? You didn’t know Oklahoma had a brand or a slogan to begin with? Well, me either. In fact, I was under the impression — my entire life — that this was the function of the state flag and state motto.

Let’s dive in a bit here. Oklahoma’s new logo, while nicely designed and seemingly filled with symbolism, looks like something made for an energy company. Perhaps there’s some subtle meaning there, who knows? Oddly, the one thing that really bothers me about the logo is the letter “K” in “Oklahoma” at the bottom. I feel a weird anxiety seeing it (literally) stick out like that.

As for the slogan “imagine that” … I don’t get it. As in, I don’t get what message it’s trying to convey. My first thought was almost exactly like the comic above, and talking to other people about it I found that I’m not alone. If we, as Oklahomans, are confused, then I can’t imagine what it projects to an out-of-stater looking to vacation here. So the new brand’s slogan isn’t a negative overall, but perhaps it fails in it’s function of delivering a clear, concise message about our state.

I’ve seen many hot takes on this rebrand, and while I don’t share the negative opinions, I’m not super into our new brand either. Of course, I’m sure we’re all thinking way too much about it, and it won’t matter in a month or two. At least it’s not the 2019 South Dakota ad campaign of Meth: We’re on it.

Past Sundaze comics

Be careful searching, algorithm overlords are watching
Oklahoma’s recent liquor bicker confusing, even sober
Highway to the construction zone
All ears: OU basketball gets it right as Top Daug returns
Stitt, tribal leaders pack their poker faces for court
Cookie mishap: Santa high in the sky of Oklahoma
Blinded by the unholy headlights
The value of a car that gets you to and from work
The Cybertruck: Weird, different and polarizing
Ask Ludacris for input on new OKC area code
With the Sooner Schooner on blocks, it’s Top Daug time
NBA’s and players’ comments on China wimpy so far
Topless ruling has some blowing their tops in Oklahoma
New OKC food halls make for tough choices
A decade’s difference in the OKC concert scene
Park opening could get extreme with release of scissortails
Daddy, which side were you on in the Chicken War?
Rest or party? Sooners on Sunday a good conundrum
OKC aquarium idea destined for lackluster sequels?
MAPS 7: After pickleball stadium’s success, voters pitched Joystick Arena
Democrat Kombat: Whose soul will be whose?
How to turn your Equifax settlement into a hangover
FaceApp recap: If you put it on the internet …
Sam Presti blows up the OKC Thunder as we know it
It’s official: College costs an arm and a leg

  • Mike Allen

    Mike Allen is a graphic designer, painter, printer and tailor. He has a fine art degree from the University of Oklahoma.

  • Mike Allen

    Mike Allen is a graphic designer, painter, printer and tailor. He has a fine art degree from the University of Oklahoma.