- Alice in Logoland -
When it comes to logos, they elicit mixed reactions from most of us. There are logos that you like, logos that you hate, and then, logos that you just don’t care about. What’s more, the same logo can cause different people to react differently to it. The logo you could die for is the one that the next person yawns at. To make matters worse, our reaction to a logo changes over time. The logo you thought looked so great when you first saw it 10 years ago, doesn’t impress anymore, right?
Amidst this jungle of opinions, is there an easy way to agree upon the superlatives in the world of logos? How do you tell which is the best, or the worst in logo-dom? One can’t help but feel a bit like Alice in Wonderland, trying to find some method in the madness around.
- I wish I had a logo like that! -
What nobody told Alice was that there is a way out of the madness. Well, there are some logos, albeit a handful of them, that have stood the test of time and by popular consensus, are among the best. (There will still be differences in opinion, but the scale tips largely in their favor.)
So which ones are these? Oh, you’ve probably seen them a million times on billboards, on television, on magazines, while going to work, or driving down the freeway. And too often your jealous eyes have secretly admired them as you said to yourself, “Oh God, I wish I had a logo like that!”
- A tribute to greatness – some of the greatest logos ever designed! -
If there is one logo that has to start the list, it must be that of Coca Cola®. Hypnotic curves and magical contours against the unmistakable red backdrop – here’s a classic instance of a logo becoming as famous as the product. The logo, still as ‘refreshing’ as ever, is a befitting emblem for the largest-selling soft drink in the world.
When one talks about great logos, can the Disney logo be far behind? For a name that itself spells magic for millions, the logo for the company that Walt Disney founded is equally hypnotic. One look at this famous signature-style logo is sure to transport you instantly to Fantasia, inhabited by characters that the world has grown so fond of.
The saga of great logos continues with such names as General Electric (GE), Intel, Nokia, McDonald’s and Microsoft, and more. Check out a
gallery here. These logos have come to embody the faith that people have in these brands. There are many who just need to catch one glimpse of these logos to unquestioningly go ahead with their purchase. I’m sure, you can yourself think of similar super-brands and their logos that spell the pinnacle of quality for you.
- The ingredients of a great logo -
It’s difficult to imagine at times that human hands have crafted these divine creations. What’s the secret? Simple. A logo should always strive to be an extension of the psyche and ethos of the brand or company it is meant for. It can never be a dissociated piece of art. The right
logo design process will lead to the right logo. And when you get everything right, it is not impossible to create a truly great logo.
