[[Shizo]]

I had this thought.. many logos that we know today are really bad. But because we associate good things or products with them, in our mind they become GOOD.

For example, before Nike was popular, i dont think athat nyone would say it's a good logo:


American flag looks like a patchwork bed sheet.


Lucent? It's a.... circle :S


Ruff Ryders logo isnt too bad. But if you've seen the original sketch on a mix tape.. oh, the horror! (i saw it in RZA's book)


Any other additions to the list of bad logos?

[Jimmyjimjim]

I dunno man, I think alot of graphic artists would say that the Nike logo is alot more effective than the Ruff Ryders logo. In fact, the Nike logo is usually used as an example of a good logo in alot of design classes.

The R.R. thing looks to me like someone had a good time with Kai's power tools. It's really got no read. The "R" by itself in b/w would be OK, but the mark of good logo design is that it is just as good graphically in black and white.

I think you might be mistaking association with branding. The reason Nike works so well is that we associate the swish with Nike, not necessarily that we LIKE Nike. I don't wear anything Nike, and I still know what the swish is. Their marketing has done a brilliant job in making sure their brand has a presence in our culture.

It's the same thing as any of these:







I hate all of those companies, but I still know exaclty what they are.

[gLitterbug]

I have to say I don't agree at all with you there Shizo. The Nike logo is a very good logo example. While the Ruff Ryders stuff looks as Jimmy already mentioned like some guy fooled around with filter magicks.

I have the impression you mistake the use of a logo with "actual" art. An ideal logo has to be as simple as possible(the silhouette being easily recognizable in all sizes and also in 2-color print) while delivering some kind of information about what the company is about. Nike is rather perfect there, very simple but still shows energy and represents the company quite will imo. It's not about being awesome to look at and being detailed, it has very different priorities than art has and good logo design is an artform in itself.

[cheney]

I agree with Glitterbug. Logos are limited symbols, and in this manner are no different than a written word. We read logos exactly like we read words, this especially true for small children who learn to read logos before language. The only real difference between a word and a logo is that a logo communicates a greater meaning like the power of a paragraph. When logos loose track of, or exceed, this rather simple idea of symbolism they have failed their purpose in my opinion.
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[[Shizo]]

RR - y'all missed the point. I wasn't talking about the embossed art, but the logo itself. It's a cool shape! Like a dagger (left part of R).

And Nike? EEeeeek!! If it was a logo of some plumbing company, i dont think it would get shown as example of amazing logo in every design class, cause it's just a SWOOSH!

BTW, anything can be a logo.. what's behind it is what matters. But i was looking for some REALLY bad designs of popular companies. Like lucent.. *blob*, we got ourselves a logo! Lets make amazing electronics now!

[Giant Hamster]

All a logo has to be is unique, simple and rememberable.


What this means, if it isn't blatantly obvious is that you can distinquish the logo from other logos and can remember exactly what it looks like and roughly draw it if necissary.

For the company it's also helpful if the logo can be displayed as a single color sillohuette and retain the above qualities. For example, Disney. Their Mickey Mouse logo is three circles. It doesn't take any more than that.

[[Shizo]]

Ahh, we all learned something today!

Bad logos dont exist.

[Giant Hamster]

Sure they do. Ruff Ryders.



^-- "Suck my cock, son."



^--- Ass-Fuckers Union



^--- looks like piles of other logos. Ameritech for instance.

ALL of these.

[Godwin]

I bookmarked this page which reviews corporate identities and logos some time ago, it's pretty interesting stuff to an outsider/ignorant fool like me : http://www.identityworks.com/reviews/index.htm
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Derelict Studios|Godwin's Space

[blck_productions]

There's more

again check the link...really hilarious...I don't understand how those designers didn't see what we see...

http://biocandy.dk/mambo/content/view/14/34/

Greetzz
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Dreams R free

[Jimmyjimjim]

Oh. My. God.



Guess the designer of that never had anyone look at it.