In 1969, Boston Broadcasters promised that they would air more local programs than any other station in the United States. This bold claim led to them winning a construction permit to build a new television station on channel 5, in the city of Boston Massachusetts. They would become the city's new ABC affiliate, WCVB-TV - Channel 5, and replace the previous channel 5 occupants who were being investigated for allegations of impropriety.
To design the new logo and corporate identity, Boston Broadcasters approached graphic design firm Wyman & Cannan. The firm, founded by designers and former colleagues Bill Cannan and Lance Wyman, was formed following Wyman’s return to New York in 1970. The pair had previously worked together at George Nelson & Company, before Wyman departed to spend several successful years designing many well-known logos in Mexico, including the Mexico ’68 Olympic logotype.
As a new design studio, the Channel 5 project was their first major client. Cannan and Wyman were assisted by designer Herb Hong in creating a dynamic logo and visual identity. Whilst the logo would need to be a unique identifier of the new channel, it was required that the logo be applied to many elements to strengthen attribution. The logo’s development would therefore have to consider scale and be versatile for a high number of both common and more unusual creative applications.
Continue reading to discover how the Channel 5 logo was constructed, see some of its creative applications and how colour was introduced.