Derivative Logos – Inspiration or Copying?

If this is for the first time you have come across the phrase, “derivative logos”, here’s a quick definition obtained from the iStock’s policy form.

“Derivative logo designs are designs that have been based on photographs, scans, clip art, 3D renders, graphics found on the Internet, sketches, etc. If you could not have created your design without referring to another image, your final file would likely be considered a derivative work of art.”

Now what does this mean for you as a designer? According to amateur logo designers, it is a harmless activity designed to help logo designers learn techniques. The basic rules of graphic design, however, strongly discourage this practice. Some logo designers use derivative logos as a source of inspiration while others simply copy and paste it with slight modifications done. So, what should you do?



Derivative Logos – An Inspiration

Logo designers often complain that it’s quite difficult for them to come up with original logo designs ALL THE TIME. With so many designers out there, chances are that your original idea might not be that original at all, someone else must have thought of it too. However in this case, while there might be an innocent resemblance, the logo cannot be exactly the same. Sometimes logo designers take certain elements from another logo and create their logo based on these elements. This tactic is not encouraged. While there is nothing wrong with seeking inspiration, but basing your creation on someone else’s ideas is a no-no. This will lead to trademark infringement. Being original is the best way to go about it! Get inspired but don’t copy. One example of an inspired derivative logo: The Chinese Ying Yang symbol is often used as a derivative logo source for numerous other logos. Check the logo designs give below. In the first look, logo #2 seems like an inspiration of logo #1, but is it really?

Derivative Logos – As a Mirror Image

This is where derivative logos turn ugly. Some logo designers underestimate trademark infringement issues and copyrights. They simply select a logo, copy it and do some very basic changes (color change, text change, font change, flip the image), with the central theme of the logo remaining the same. This is wrong. When caught, it can lead to a legal hassle and the end of your logo designing career.  Any logo designer doing this is not to be considered as a professional logo designer. Especially when participating in logo design contests, designers think they will get away with this. They mistake this act as “smart designing”, however, in actual this is a form of “dumb designing”, because the copied logo eventually gets caught. The funny part is that not only newbie logo designers do this, but also a large number of renowned companies are involved in this practice too. Example: Logo #2 given below is the same as logo #1. Only difference is that the designer rotated the logo and changed the colors.

What Copycats Don’t Know

Some logo designers may argue on unintentional matches of logos, however, creating a mirror image of another logo will hardly help your case. Every logo designer has his/her own creative style and if he/she designs the logo from scratch without seeking inspiration, it would not lead to an exact match in 99.9% of the cases. Considering the tricky nature of derivative logos, it is highly discouraged in both its forms. Be Original or take a break, but Never Cheat!