4 Bad Logos of All Time

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Published: December 22, 2023

A logo is one of the most essential elements of your brand- it’s the first point of interaction between you and your customers. When establishing a brand identity, you can never compromise with it, especially in how it is portrayed. Therefore, businesses focus on building a strong logo.

Your business logo is supposed to give positive vibes to the people so that they establish a good reputation for your brand. But what if it is the other way around?

A bad logo can be a disgrace to your entire business. There are some logo design mistakes that even the big players make. To ensure you don’t find yourself in such a soup, we’ve compiled a list of bad logos.

Popular Bad Logos of All Time

At BrandVillage, Our logo Design Melbourne experts have always been very mindful about the substance we deliver to our audience. Our prime focus is ensuring we give them the logos they can proudly flaunt.

That isn’t the case for all. Many businesses struggle to establish themselves in the market because they don’t have a good logo. At the same time, even the key players have failed to build a positive image around themselves because of the poor designs of their logos in marketing.

Some of the worst logo designs of the logo that can negatively impact branding are as follows:

PWC

example of Bad Logo - "PWC logo"

PWC is surely one of the biggest multinational firms today. But what is it that you learn when you look at their logo? Their logo seems like the company is probably in the business of some Minecraft-related stuff. Well, that’s a classic example of a bad logo.

The logo doesn’t reflect the brand message. At the same time, there are way too many colours in a single logo. If you carefully analyze the logo colors, you’d be surprised that many don’t even complement each other. For example, it has a sudden dash of pink between the yellows and the browns.

There is no denying that your logo must be visually pleasing, but it is also important that the design conveys your brand message. Wanting too much at once, like the PWC logo, can only hamper your brand image.

KIA

Example of Bad Logo - "KIA"

You must stay updated with the trends when you’re in the marketing business. For this purpose, keep your logo updated. KIA is one of the prime examples of a brand that has undergone redesigning.

After the redesign, KIA came up with an aesthetic logo. But we can’t deny they missed out on one critical point- the legibility. For example, the letters are conjoined or clubbed so that anyone who needs to learn about the brand KIA won’t be able to figure out what the logo says.

Irrespective of the size of your logo, it should be readable. It should provide a basic idea to the audience what the brand deals with.

KPMG

Example of Bad Logo - "KPMG"

Just like PWC, KPMG also needs to bring some changes to its logo. Their entire design seems like a design flaw. You won’t find anything exciting if you briefly look at the logo. Why? Because it’s just the letters KPMG wrote with boxes behind each letter.

Such a dull and charmless logo design will surely not sweep off anyone’s feet. Their logo has no aesthetic element, not even in terms of font or colour.

There’s no harm in keeping your logo simple, but it should at least portray the brand message. Simplicity is one of the major logo design principles, but you need to play around with the colour and font of the logo to establish a stronger brand identity.

Desigual

Example of Bad Logo - "Desigual"

Having launched a one-of-a-kind logo in the back-to-front aspect, Desigual did well. Their older logo brought forward this concept, but when a similar new one was released, the audience wasn’t too excited about it.

Many brand logo designers argued that their new logo was a mere copy-paste of the old one with no surprising element. Many of them also agreed that a bad design was accompanied by bad copywriting that added flame to the fire.

If you come across an exciting logo design, it doesn’t mean you’d have to stick to it. You may either change it as a whole or not update it at all. Experimenting too much with the designs can create troubles rather than offering you the best.

What Makes a Bad Logo?

When it comes to establishing a powerful and memorable brand, your logo plays an important role. However, many logos fall short of making a positive impact due to common design pitfalls. Understanding what contributes to a bad logo can show you clear of these errors. Here are key factors that can render a logo ineffective:

Unclear Font and Overly Complex Design

Bad Logo Example - Jucy Couture logo and London 2012 Olympics logo

Legibility is key in logo design. Fonts that are excessively artistic, such as those with elaborate swirls or unusual shapes, can confuse rather than attract. An example of an overly artistic font could be seen in logos like the original Juicy Couture logo, which featured ornate, hard-to-read lettering. Additionally, designs that cram too many ideas or elements together, such as the London 2012 Olympics logo, can overwhelm rather than communicate.

Imitating Another Brand’s Logo

Imitating Another Brand’s Logo

Originality is essential. When logos imitate others, particularly well-known brands, it dilutes their impact and can confuse customers. A notable instance of this was when the Asprey London logo closely resembled the Prada logo, which caused a stir in the fashion industry. This not only suggests a lack of creativity but can also lead to legal challenges.

Using a Familiar Font

Using common fonts like Times New Roman or Comic Sans can make a logo appear unoriginal or lazy. Distinctiveness is often lost when the text feels generic. Instead, consider custom fonts, just like Coca-Cola has used, that can convey your brand’s unique ethos more effectively.

Unremarkable and Uninspiring

Unremarkable and Uninspiring

Logos should evoke some form of connection or emotion. A logo like Gap experienced backlash when it introduced a new logo in 2010 that was seen as incredibly bland compared to its iconic blue box logo, leading to a quick reversion after public outcry.

Incongruent and Irrelevant Graphics

Graphics that do not align with the brand’s message confuse your audience. For instance, a tech company using floral or pastoral images may send mixed signals unless there is a clear connection to their branding message. Ensure all visual elements are relevant and enhance the brand story.

Outdated Style

Remaining contemporary is crucial unless a deliberate retro appeal is part of your brand. For example, the original Apple logo featuring Isaac Newton under an apple tree had an antiquated feel, which was wisely updated to the more modern apple silhouette that is now universally recognized.

By understanding and avoiding these common logo design mistakes, your brand can better communicate its unique value proposition and connect with its intended audience more effectively.

How to Avoid Designing a Bad Logo?

To ensure your logo effectively represents your brand and appeals visually, here are some direct and comprehensive strategies:

Hire a Professional Designer

If graphic design isn’t your forte, leverage the skills of professional designers. Experts at BrandVillage bring essential design knowledge and creativity, ensuring your logo is both professional and aligned with your brand.

Simplify Your Design

Opt for simplicity to enhance recognition and memorability. Focus on the essential features, avoiding overly complex elements that can cloud your logo’s message.

Involve Your Customers in the Redesign

Incorporate customer feedback during the redesign process. This engagement not only builds loyalty but also helps ensure the new logo appeals to your audience.

Balance Trendy with Timeless

Aim for a logo that looks current yet enduring. Mixing modern design trends with classic elements can create a logo that remains relevant over time.

Create Multiple Logo Formats

Prepare your logo in various file sizes and formats for flexibility across different platforms. This ensures consistent quality and presentation in all uses.

Test and Gather Feedback

Test your logo with your target market to see if it communicates your brand’s message effectively. Use the feedback to refine the design.

These strategies provide a clear roadmap to designing a logo that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also true to your brand’s identity.

Remarkable Logo Design Transformations

Effective logo redesigns often address specific issues with old logos while updating the brand’s visual identity. Here are significant transformations, detailing the reasons for changes and the years they took place:

Apple: From Complexity to Sleek Simplicity (1977)

Evaluation of Apple Logo

Apple’s original logo, depicting Isaac Newton under an apple tree, was intricate and failed to scale well on products. In 1977, Apple adopted the simple Apple silhouette, which not only modernised the brand but also made the logo incredibly scalable and recognisable, symbolising Apple’s innovation and simplicity.

Starbucks: Focusing on the Siren (2011)

Starbucks logo Journey

The previous Starbucks logo included the “Starbucks Coffee” text, which limited brand flexibility and made it less recognisable in non-English-speaking countries. By focusing solely on the siren in 2011 and removing the text, Starbucks achieved a more streamlined and universally appealing logo, enhancing global recognition.

Airbnb: A Symbol of Belonging (2014)

AirBnB Logo

Airbnb’s old logo was seen as generic and nondescript, not effectively communicating the brand’s unique value proposition of global community and inclusivity. The introduction of the “Bélo” symbol in 2014 provided a distinctive, memorable logo that aligned with Airbnb’s mission of creating a sense of belonging anywhere in the world.

Mastercard: Eliminating Text (2016)

Mastercard logo

Before 2016, Mastercard’s logo featured the company name, which could clutter the design and complicate its use in smaller scales or digital applications. By eliminating the text and letting the interlocking circles stand alone, Mastercard simplified its branding, increasing its visual impact and making it more adaptable for digital use.

Conclusion

While we need good logo designs for businesses, bad logo designs also offer valuable lessons. It helps to learn what you should and should not do regarding your business logo designs. Right from maintaining originality to readability, it is crucial to ensure you offer the best execution to your logos. After all, that’s one major element that establishes a connection with the audience.

By now, you must have understood that logos can be bad for your business. So, if you want to avoid such things, choose the best logo designers. Well, we’re here for you. Contact us today!

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a logo bad?

A bad logo is often too complex, unclear, unoriginal, or irrelevant, making it difficult for the audience to grasp or connect with the brand’s message. Key issues include intricate designs, generic or inappropriate fonts, and mimicry of other logos.

What role does typography play in logo design?

Typography is vital in logo design for ensuring readability, expressing brand personality, and maintaining aesthetic appeal. It helps to define the brand’s image across different platforms and to resonate with the target audience.

How can a poorly designed logo negatively impact a brand?

A poorly designed logo can undermine a brand’s professionalism and alienate its audience. This can lead to a loss of trust and decreased consumer loyalty, which can ultimately impact the brand’s overall success and market standing.

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