Do Logos Matter?
Posted on 01. Nov, 2010 by The Relationship Era in Blog, Trends
Steve McCallion, writing on the Fast Company design blog has an interesting discussion about the relevance of logos to brands. Using the recent Gap logo redesign as an example, McCallion argues that logos are no longer key and that social platforms–where there is actual interaction and the ability to create real value for people–are more important than a static, control-heavy logo.
Any thoughts? How are logos more or less relevant today than previously?
6 Responses to “Do Logos Matter?”
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04. Nov, 2010
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Randy Christenhusz, Relationship Era. Relationship Era said: Do logos matter to you? We want to know your thoughts: http://www.relationshipera.com/do-logos-matter/ [...]
Susan Silver
03. Nov, 2010
While the social experience is important I have always seen the logo as the welcome mat. It’s a visual cue to the indivdual what a brand is about. Even if we strip down a logo to the barebones of a font, we still can get very different impressions of what a brand is. I don’t think we should be talking about the logo going away but about how to bring it into the experience of the community. Using it as a banner the community can rally together under.
Randy Christenhusz
04. Nov, 2010
Logo’s are like star actors in a movie, if they change in the sequel, it sure as heck better ‘wow’ the fans.
Some brands may have the ability to change their logo without much of a backlash. Other brands, such as GAP, have built their image on both community and the tradition of that logo. Other companies that fall under this category include Lego, Playboy, FILA and Nike.
Please keep in mind, the “update” of the logo (i.e. The recent update to the Detroit Lions logo) do not fall into the same zone as a full redesign like GAP did.
Just my $0.02.
Lindsay Rose
05. Nov, 2010
I absolutely think logos still matter. I don’t even see the logo/social platform discussion as an apples to apples comparison. A brand’s logo is their identity. Period. What I don’t understand is what benefit changing a logo really has, especially when it means changing all of your company’s signage, documents, everything. A little logo touch up can’t possibly be worth that expense, can it?
Zach Doty
07. Dec, 2010
With the latest revision to Facebook profiles, logos could be more important than ever.
The start of shift to visual content and associations signals having one’s best foot forward in visual identity still remains a key element of introducing a brand and starting a relationship.
Chris Thrash
11. May, 2011
I couldn’t disagree more with Steve McCallion. I agree that social interaction has more impact on a brand financially, but to say logos just don’t matter is completely not true. If logos didn’t matter than people wouldn’t have been freaking out over the GAP logo change. If logos didn’t matter GAP wouldn’t have tried to “improve” it in the first place. And Finally, if logos didn’t matter GAP wouldn’t have run back to their old logo to appease their angry fans. Logos matter because they are the portrait or face of the brand. It’s like saying I love my Grandma for all the things she does for me, but my visual of her face has no meaning or impact to me. The logo is the brand identifier.