{"id":16284,"date":"2020-01-31T11:49:58","date_gmt":"2020-01-31T16:49:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress-715453-3009179.cloudwaysapps.com\/?p=16284"},"modified":"2023-04-27T23:06:07","modified_gmt":"2023-04-28T03:06:07","slug":"brands-with-bad-logos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress-715453-3009179.cloudwaysapps.com\/blog\/brands-with-bad-logos\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Big Brands with Bad Logos + Key Design Takeaways"},"content":{"rendered":"

While there are tons of cringe-inducing logos<\/a> in the dark corners of Google search, you don\u2019t actually need to look further than the world\u2019s biggest companies to find more subtle examples of bad logo design.<\/p>\n

In fact, learning from the subtle logo design mistakes<\/a> of the big guys can be a more helpful way to learn how not to make a logo, rather than looking at the obvious disasters.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why we\u2019ve put together a list of ten bad logos from some of the world\u2019s biggest brands. Let\u2019s have a look!<\/p>\n

PwC\"PWC<\/h2>\n

PwC is one of the biggest professional services firms in the world. But going off their logo, you\u2019d be forgiven for thinking they exclusively sell Minecraft flamethrowers.<\/p>\n

Speaking on the now decade-old design, brand consultancy Wolff Olins<\/a> outlined their rationale for the infamous logo as one that \u2018morphs into endless different shapes, which expresses the many kinds of value PwC creates.\u2019<\/p>\n

In practice, however, the message doesn\u2019t land. The logomark\u2019s meaning is unclear, and there are way too many similar colors (plus one random instance of pink). Ultimately, instead of suggesting a unified range of diverse yet related services, the logo looks more like a visual record of a mental breakdown in Powerpoint.<\/p>\n

Takeaway:<\/strong> While it\u2019s important to have a conceptual basis behind your logo, actually turning that concept into a good visual execution is another story. If you\u2019re going to use a logomark, keep it simple. Try to embody a single concept or principle that encapsulates your brand as a whole. Avoid spreading yourself too thin and ending up with a vague logomark that confuses people!<\/p>\n

The United Arab Emirates<\/h2>\n

\"UAE<\/p>\n

In a classic case of \u2018too many cooks\u2019, the new UAE logo is the result of an elaborate design process that couldn\u2019t have been more complicated if they tried. In searching for a design that \u2018would last fifty years<\/a>\u2019 (which itself is a really arbitrary requirement) the UAE sourced teams of seven from its seven monarchies. Three final designs were then put to a public vote on social media, and the above came out on top. The logo\u2019s seven stripes represent the aforementioned monarchies, in the colors of the flag and the shape of the country.<\/p>\n

The end result is a prime example of overblown concepting and effort being used to justify bad design. Ironically, the logo effaces any sense of the country\u2019s sovereignty and character. As one designer put it:<\/p>\n

\u2018I think retaining a nod to a crest, coat of arms or some form of cultural or historical symbol would have been an important part of the brief. As it stands it could be mistaken for a bank, an airline or miscellaneous corporate company.\u2019 \u2014Chris Tozer, for Design Week<\/a> <\/div>\n

Takeaway:<\/strong> When it comes to design, effort does not always equal effect. Sometimes, designers get carried away with excessive concepting as rationale for a logo\u2014even if the end result is horrible. The best logos speak for themselves and don\u2019t require endless amounts of supporting rationale.<\/p>\n

Kia<\/h2>\n

\"Kia<\/p>\n

Redesigning a logo<\/a> for the digital age is a good idea. But in Kia\u2019s case, the final product is slightly off. Overall, it\u2019s actually a pretty nice-looking logo, but the design overrides one of the most fundamental aspects of effective logo design: basic legibility!<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s face it, if it wasn\u2019t Kia, would you know what the logo said? Kin? Kvi? Kir? In this instance, a slight modification on the A might be the final tweak necessary to turn a bad logo into a great one.<\/p>\n

Takeaway:<\/strong> Make sure your logo is legible. It doesn\u2019t matter how great it looks if nobody can read it!<\/p>\n

PS5<\/h2>\n

\"PS5<\/p>\n

In the run-up to a major console launch, the hype is everything. Xbox just released this amazing ad<\/a> for the Series X model, complete with mind-blowing sound and visual design and an inspired voiceover from the late Alan Watts. Sony, on the other hand, dropped the visual equivalent of a deflating balloon noise.<\/p>\n

The new PS5 logo isn\u2019t horrible, and it makes sense in the context of the series, but fans were left underwhelmed by what many saw as a missed chance to do something special. From a design perspective, the logo sits too close to its forerunners, and lacks the kind of originality that many expected for a truly next-gen console launch, as one savvy observer demonstrated in their spoof of Sony\u2019s design process:<\/p>\n

\nhttps:\/\/thumbs.gfycat.com\/ElementaryWhisperedCanadagoose-mobile.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Takeaway:<\/strong> A logo is a chance to capture a feeling, and that feeling is a core part of your brand association. So if you\u2019re going big, go big. An iconic statement logo shouldn\u2019t hold back. That doesn\u2019t mean make your logo complex, just that a little original thought goes a long way. Don\u2019t be afraid to mix things up and take risks!<\/p>\n

City of Chicago<\/h2>\n

\"city<\/p>\n

In a world where users can engage with brands in a huge number of ways, adaptive branding is becoming increasingly common. Logos that change depending on their context, and brand identities that cater to the mediums in which they\u2019re presented both allow for seamless user experiences that give brands a competitive edge. But it doesn\u2019t always work out that way.<\/p>\n

The City of Chicago\u2019s new adaptive logo and brand assets rely too heavily on local knowledge of the city\u2019s flag. It\u2019s cool in theory, but the execution is jarring. It looks more like a strange pastiche of the \u2018I heart NY\u2019 logo, or a game of Windows Minesweeper, than the iconic logo Chicago were probably looking for.<\/p>\n

Takeaway:<\/strong> Be careful when designing a logo<\/a> that relies heavily on specific knowledge or context. Yes, a story is super important – but don\u2019t sacrifice overall design for it. Again, rationale and concept doesn\u2019t work if the logo doesn\u2019t look good.<\/p>\n

Warner Bros<\/h2>\n

\"warner<\/p>\n

Recently, several brands have started stripping back their logos to a cleaner, more minimal style (take VW\u2019s new logo<\/a>, for example). As part of a wider retro-digital aesthetic, these logos combine clean lines and colors for an awesome, \u2018new electric age\u2019 vibe.<\/p>\n

In Warner Bros. case, however, the design doesn\u2019t match the industry, and the logo\u2019s refinement has sapped all the character and playfulness from the original\u2019s \u2018golden age of Hollywood\u2019 style. While the clean digital aesthetic works for tech and automobile companies, it doesn\u2019t quite fit here. Not to mention the awkward pairing of blue and dark blue!<\/p>\n

Takeaway:<\/strong> Be careful following logo trends<\/a>: ask yourself if the design style you\u2019re using is appropriate to your specific industry or service area. Would a sleek, minimal design style suit a cozy neighborhood coffee shop? Probably not!<\/p>\n

KPMG<\/h2>\n

\"KPMG<\/p>\n

KPMG is yet another giant professional services firm with a giant eyesore of a logo. It\u2019s hard to pick out a specific design flaw with KPMG\u2019s logo when the whole thing is a huge design flaw. It\u2019s charmless, dull, industrial, and uninviting, with about as much personality as the four cardboard boxes it\u2019s made of.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s strange is that plenty of other big consultancies have great logos. Deloitte, for example, has a great logo packed with personality, while remaining professional and simple. Notice how much impact a decent font and simple design choice – the playful green period – can have. Take note KPMG!<\/p>\n

\"Deloitte<\/p>\n

Takeaway:<\/strong> Simple doesn\u2019t have to mean boring. Think of simple ways to show a sense of personality when you create your logo by playing around with colors<\/a>, font styles, and shapes. Often, a sense of character is achieved by hinting at it through subtle effects.<\/p>\n

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Design a great logo now! <\/h2>\n \n \n