Late in 1980, before MTV had been formally named, creative director Fred Seibert approached Manhattan Design to create the network’s logo. Manhattan Design created hundreds of preliminary designs, but it was the now-familiar “M” in a bold 3-d sans serif and a “new wave” style TV that was presented to the network who then wanted the TV redesigned. Manhattan Design then spray painted a graffiti-style TV on to the M, and presented it, paint drips and all, to the networks delight. Manhattan Design was then asked to come up with the “corporate colors” for the logo and a revolutionary decision was made: there wouldn’t be any corporate colors. The M and the TV could be made of anything at all. The influence of the MTV logo’s chameleon-like look can be seen today.
