Cartoon Network

Cartoon Network begain broadcasting in the USA on 1st October 1992. Hatmaker (who closed in 2003, with its portfolio merged with its sister company – Corey McPherson Nash) developed the Checkerboard graphics package. They also designed Cartoon Network’s checkerboard infamous logo, the first one to be used in public, unlike the original round logo which was used in the 1991 sales presentation.

Hatmaker designed the logo in a way to make sure it stands out at all times against a backdrop of various colours, after discovering that black and white were the least used colours in cartoons, it made perfect sense to use black and white in the logo, the checkerboard idea came from finding a way to avoid drop shadows so the logo text stands out, it also worked because the words “Cartoon and “Network have exactly the same amount of letters – 7 letters. Finding the right typefaces for the logo and the channel’s presentation was done through a trial and error process, in the end, four typefaces were chosen for Cartoon Network’s identity: Gothic 821 Condensed, Spumoni, Eagle Bold (the typeface used on the Cartoon Network’s original checkerboard logo) and Birch.

The presentation had to have cartoon characteristics to fit into the nature of the channel, the presentation adopted a cartoony illustrative style with flexible, bouncy, lively and constant movement, with typical cartoon sound effects. The presentation had a wide range of hues and textures and because the logo was black and white, it contrasted well and always stood out.In addition to the channel’s presentation, Hatmaker also designed Cartoon Network’s stationary such as letterheads and business cards and also produced an image guide for the launch of Cartoon Network, which explains the channel’s identity. Copies of the guide were given to advertisers, MSO’s (Multiple System Operators aka Cable Companies) and members of the press.Hatmaker also produced an animation for the transition between Cartoon Network and TNT Classic Movies in Europe, every night at 8pm CET (7pm UK), Cartoon Network closes for the night and hands over to its sister channel TNT Classic Movies.

The animation features one of Cartoon Network’s earliest mascot characters (used exclusively in presentation) – Hi-Ball the Jester. Hi-Ball wears an hourglass on his wrist to remind him how much time CN has left for the day, when the time’s up, Hi-Ball pulls down the switch from CN mode to TNT mode starting the transition sequence and electrocutes him in the process. Then a stick of a dynamite explodes (a pun of Turner Network Television’s acronym and the well known explosive also called TNT), then the TNT Classic Movies logo appears.

The transition animation features somewhat weird characters, such as a mouth with lips and teeth, an eyeball with with and a propeller, a toothbrush and a match. In my opinion, the transition was one of the best examples of television presentation I’ve seen (although its somewhat nightmare fuel-ish), no other timesharing channel ever replicated as something as seamless and that connects two channels that have little in common with each other so well, the only common factor is that Turner owns both On 19th December 1998, Cartoon Network launched as part of the Sky Digital satellite which finally give sky viewers a 24 hour channel. On 15th October 1999, Cartoon Network UK officially stopped being a pan-European feed.We are greatful to RegularCapital: Cartoon Network News, for providing us with this excellent summary of the channel history.

1993 – 1999

Cartoon Network was launched on 17th September 1993 as a pan European channel broadcasting each day from 5 am until 7 pm, with TNT taking over from 7 pm to 5 am. On 26th August 1996, Cartoon Network hour were extended until 9 pm, and on 16 December 1996, became a 24-hour channel, on cable and other provides.

1999 – 2002

On 15th October 1999, a new UK only look was unveiled, created by AMGFX (later to become The Hive Animation) in London, with additional break bumpers being created by Mark Ardington.

2002 – 2005

In October 2002 a new look was unveiled called “Casillas” created by Ink Apache (Spain) and was over seen by James Walpole. This era is know as Blocks look.We have no clips at present,

2005 – 2007

On 11th April 2005 Cartoon Network’s introduced its second logo, which was two black-and-white cubes with a capital “C” and a capital “N” which reminiscent with the familiar checkerboard logo. The new designed and presentation was produced by Animal Logic, better know for the Lego movie, Happy feet etc, Created a complete 360-degree CG models of many of the distinct Cartoon Network original series, including interior and exterior depictions, with the animated characters appearing in tradition 2-D form, which created an appealing if decidedly unique new on-air environment. Jim Samples, executive vice president and general manager, Cartoon Network Worldwide said: “We realized, however, that while our programming has always been innovative and fluid, the on-air packaging surrounding the original and acquired material has remained relatively unchanged over the lifespan of our median age viewer, typically a child between the ages of 6-8 years old.” So we embarked on this significant undertaking a little more than a year ago to be ready to reveal an all-new environment in time for peak viewing and sampling during the summer months. The new logo,simply provided a more contemporary, flexible, design-driven option for our animators to use or manipulate in a variety of creative ways on-air.”This era is also know as “CN City”. Some addtional idents were also created by Apache/Tricefalo Studio for Europe.In addtion, UK from the begining also used the “60 interstitials” involving characters from different shows, interacting within the `Cartoon Network Universe.We have no clips at present.

2007 – 2010

On 24th May 2007 the presentation was changed again, nick named “Arrow era” was created by the design studio, Stardust. CN UK also created Idents created by Pesky. There were also alternate Arrow Era idents which had a 3D style, rather than the 2D styleWe have no clips at present.

2010 – 2014

In September 2010, Cartoon Network UK introduced its current logo. A new presentation called “Check It 1.0” was created by its in-house design team and Brand New SchoolSenior Vice President of Creative Direction, Michael Ouweleen said: “Our brand expansion represents our commitment to delivering a breadth of content that our audience cannot find anywhere else. The checkerboard is in our DNA and is not only reflected in the subtle redesign of the logo but also provides a through line that connects and helps frame our diverse slate of programming from animation to live-action. The art direction and creative acumen of the Brand New School and their ability to breathe new into the iconic was invaluable and helped us achieve our goal.We have no clips at present,

2014 – 2016

On 8th May 2014, Check it 3.0 branding was unveiled.We have no clips at present.

2016 – 2017

On 22nd July 2016, another re branded using graphics from the Check It 4.0 branding package which had in use in the USA since the summer of 2015.We have no clips at present.

2017 – Present

On 21st July 2017 Cartoon Network UK unviled another look, called “Dimensional which was developed by Bent Design Lab from the United States.We have no clips at present.