The Open University

1st Logo (1971-1991)
Nickname: "OU Shield"

Logo:
 * 1971-1984: On a yellow background, we see the blue text "Optima" in optima, then a blue circle rotates onto the background while two parts of a rounded shield wipe in. The circle rotates until it appears as a yellow circle. In 1981, the logo was changed to CGI.
 * 1984-1991: Same as before, but with a different color depending on the channel and time period.

Variant: On closedowns, the logo plays in reverse.

FX/SFX: The formation of the shield.

Music/Sounds: The first five bars of "Divertimento", composed by Leonard Salzedo, followed by a continuity announcer.

Availability: Extinct. There are flash remakes from 625.uk.com and BBC Cult, though.

Editor's Note: This logo and its successor are infamous among British audiences (much like American audiences and the Viacom "V of Doom") for frightening young children.

2nd Logo (1991-2000)
Nickname: "OU Shield II"

Logo: On a black background, shining rays are seen coming out a black circle, looking like a solar eclipse. A bright light then shines on the circle, revealing the shield and a translucent black bar with either the BBC1 or BBC2 logo at the time. The light then changes position and the bar becomes solid. The light then disappears and some blue and white clouds behind it. The shield then changes to yellow and blue and "The Open University" appears below.

FX/SFX: The lights.

Music/Sounds: A mysterious synth tune with the community announcer.

Availability: Extinct.

Editor's Note: None.

3rd Logo (2000-2006)
Nickname: "OU Shield III"

Logo: On a yellow blueprint background, the familiar OU shield is seen with glasses, a mouth, an eye, hair, and a body wearing a lab coat tying on a computer and holding a beaker surrounded by science stuff, including a violin. He moves a bit and the pictures changes to become a geographer with a ponytail, dress, jacket, and yellow lips holding some kind of case and binoculars surrounded by geography stuff. She moves a bit and blinks her eye before she and the pictures change to a construction worker with a nose, mouth, hard hat, plaid shirt, and different pictures. The construction worker is holding a walkie-talkie and a clipboard. He then moves and talks into the walkie-talkie and everything disappears but the shield. "The Open University", in the same font as before, uncrumples itself and then lays flat.

FX/SFX: 2D stop-motion animation

Music/Sounds: A violin tune.

Availability: Extinct.

Editor's Note: None.