Overused Logo Designs – The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Tuesday 22 February 2011 | Keith J. Hamilton
13 Comments
Have you ever come across a logo that gave you flashbacks? Ever laid your eyes on a design that reminded of you something you saw last week on TV? It seems that more and more often designers are creating logos that even though look different at first glance, really aren’t that unique. The reason for that is the vigorous overuse of trendy logo design styles and elements by companies and designers. In today’s post, I will highlight the good, the bad and the worst parts of this commonly recurring phenomenon.
The Good – Who doesn’t want to be Popular?
In demand graphic design trends and concepts are popular for a good reason. They instantly connect with their intended audience and receive a highly positive response from viewers. These design trends also gets companies and designers noticed and gives them the edge over their competitors who have been too slow to follow suit. Utilizing the latest design concepts may be clever; however there is a flip side to it.
The Bad – There is a reason why it’s called “Trendy”
You might ask, “What could be so wrong with using the most current and popular graphic design trends?” Here are three reasons why it is a bad idea:
- First and foremost, trends never stay current. There is always something newer and more innovative to replace it.
- Secondly, they never stay popular either. Within a few months or years, popular styles look outdated and old.
- And last but not least, their excessive overuse can turn any a design trend into a design trap. No company wants their customers to think of someone else when they look at their logo. This is a big no-no and there is no room or tolerance whatsoever for it in the graphic design arena.
The Ugly – Trademark Infringement – a Big NO NO!
When discussing logos, it is important to use the correct words – Logo designs can be trademarked, not copyrighted. (A copyright is a term reserved for music and literature.) Trademark issues are often referred to incorrectly by designers as copyright issues.
No company wants to deal with trademark infringement (infringement means taking, stealing, or borrowing without permission.) It is up to the courts to decide if a design was actually stolen, or merely the inspiration for another design, but no business wants to be taken to court over this. It costs a lot of money and time to hire lawyers to even respond to an accusation. At the same time, no designer wants to be accused of copying a trademarked logo. It raises serious questions about their ethics and design skills, and thus reflects poorly upon them.
So What Should Designers Do?
That’s Easy! Simply do not copy logo designs from websites that offer free vector/raster images and clipart. Some of these images even though free, could be trademarked and any striking resemblance can and will lead to an ugly yet justifiable lawsuit.
As a precaution, graphic designers should be very careful when looking at different types of logos for design inspiration. Looking at multiple logo designs for inspiration and ideas is fine. Copying the exact design and simply changing the fonts or colors is not. In other words, feel free to window shop but don’t shop lift.
mnorth
I cannot tell you how many “3 roof 3 window” designs I have seen since I’ve been here. And these are WINNING designs that I’m talking about.
Theraisa K
Great advice and something every designer should make their clients (and other novice/hobbyist designers) aware of. I’m sure a lot of start-up designers and clients looking for a “quick” logo design solution are unaware of how serious infringement is and can be to their business.
raymer
Sad thing is that they will ALL be used again and again..
Kevin Timothy
This is awesome stuff! A very refreshing, yet informative article. I never really thought about the logo business in this sense. Thanks, author!
Arpan Kar @ Business Fundas
isnt this common sense only?
tri-fold brochure design
awesome logos. thanks for sharing. keep sharing such nice logos.
Keith J. Hamilton
Thank you guys for your feedback
@Arpan: You’ll be surprised how many times I come across design drafts that I can instantly tell have been copy pasted with a few minor adjustments. Apparently common sense is not all that common.
@raymer: True. But we are trying to change that by educating new and upcoming designers about what to do and what NOT to do while creating designs.
@mnorth: Again, unless we educate these designers now, they will continue to fall into these “design traps” and severely damage their reputation in the design industry.
Eric Bishop
I agree that there are three parts of a logo design and a logo designer. But sometimes these overused and clip art type logos makes miracle in Tech industry, We had never thought that a $2 logo going to be worlds biggest social network trademark like twitter does it. Designer never knows that what he is designing and for whom.
Sergem
Maybe Mycroburst should impose a rule that would outrightly eliminate any submission that would use the above icons.
Just a thought.
Wi-Fi Devices
You are very true to the fact that most designers copy paste the logo designs from other websites and often gets in trouble they say this that these were inspirations but they are not instead its a copy cat.
Amin Jacoub
Great article. I agree with Sergem, as I see how bad designs in many cases won. I am not stated myself as a great designer, but laying on the rules in design, there are so many awfull solutions and which is more worse, many companies here, choosed that ugly designs. I also think that Mycroburst should eliminate those bad ones, which is frankly good for companies to be educated too, and not to throw even that small ammount of money they put here, because design must not be put in subjective state, but how audience reacts on it. I also can’t understand if it is about logo, how can be accepted design full of gradients, and effects, not too mention so many details, as we know that in case when the logo is scaled in litlle size it can not just be invisible but look as a horrible mess. Also the new trends are focusing on using minimalist solution, but most of the contest designs are pure shame in design context. And for the end most of the logos looks like design from 20 years ago, made by uneducated person, without of perception of using right colors (and what is worse that these kind of logos gets 5 stars). But this is my opinion.
saya
how ironic :p