Logos are a crucial aspect of branding for any business. A logo is often the first thing a potential customer will notice about a company, so it's essential to get it right. A bad logo design can have a detrimental impact on a brand's image and reputation. But what exactly makes a logo design bad? Let’s discuss some common mistakes in bad logo design through our blog below.
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What Is A Bad Logo Design?
A bad logo design usually uses irrelevant images, colors, fonts,...or even mimics other logo designs and the result gets lost in a sea of similar businesses.
How Do You Know If A Logo Is Good Or Bad?
How to recognize a bad logo design? Let’s discuss below:
A Bag Logo Design Is Outdated
One of the most common mistakes of bad logo designs is that designers use outdated techniques, visuals, or effects.
Back in the 1980s and 90s, people often used effects like old-fashioned skeuomorphism, 3D gradients, clip art, and certain fonts. However, the current use of these effects in the logo makes the logo look out of fashion.
So, the way to deal with an outdated logo is to give it a redesign. You can refer to the hand-drawn vintage look of the Spruce logo below. This is a great example of retro logo design, but it feels current and trending.
Logo Too Detailed
A detailed logo will look terrible on small screens such as smartphones, swag and merchandise, pens, or business cards. Because your logo is going to appear on smaller and harder-to-see surfaces.
If the only places you'd display your logo are a large billboard, mural, or vehicle wrap, a detailed logo may work very well.
Although sometimes detailed logos look great and are designed with skill. But you need to remember that those visuals are wasted at small scales, where your logo may be indistinguishable or even illegible.
Instead of abandoning your detailed logo, your logo can also be available in smaller sizes and other variations. It means keeping your detailed logo for large surfaces and preparing others for small placements.
Use Irrelevant Picture
The logo should represent your brand. So you should use relevant images to accurately depict your brands. This makes customers not confused with your companies for other companies.
The solution is to use imagery that’s directly connected to your company, reflecting either your company’s name or what it does. You can still use familiar and iconic imagery, but create some differences.
Vague
A bad logo design is a logo that doesn't say anything about your brand. Because one of the purposes of logos is to explain who you are and what you do. If your logo has ambiguous company names and random images, it is not a good logo.
The great solution is to add a description. Less text is more, so you can easily add a few words to explain what you can offer to customers or at the very least your name.
Cannot Be Read Or Understood
A bad logo design has visual elements that can not be read. Text-based logos need to focus on legibility above high-concept design. If customers can’t understand your logo, they will be confused and not visit your business.
You should focus on some questions here:
- Can people determine what your business is by looking at the logo?
- Can they recognize the icon or read the text?
A Bad Logo Does Not Follow Design Principles
Design principles are the fundamental guidelines that govern the creation of any visual composition. When it comes to logo design, several key principles must be followed to ensure a successful outcome.
Typography
Typography plays a significant role in logo design. A bad logo design often features poor typography choices, using too many fonts, inappropriate font styles, or unclear lettering. A good logo should have legible typography that complements the overall design.
Color
Color is another crucial element of logo design. A bad logo design may use too many colors, clash colors, or have colors that are too bright or too dull. A good logo should have a color scheme that is visually appealing, relevant to the brand, and memorable.
Balance
Balance refers to the distribution of visual weight in a design. A bad logo design may lack balance, with elements that are disproportionate or awkwardly positioned. A good logo should have a harmonious balance of elements that create a visually pleasing composition.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a bad logo design can have severe repercussions for a business, from damaging its brand image to undermining its credibility. By understanding the key factors that contribute to a bad logo design and recognizing the signs of a good logo, businesses can ensure they create a logo that resonates with their target audience and enhances their overall brand identity.
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