Can a Logo be Too Simple?
KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) is an acronym we all know and love, but can a logo ever be too simple? Can simplicity render a logo generic or unoriginal? Uniqueness and memorability are two important characteristics of a good logo, but it seems that “too simple” can sacrifice the former for the latter. I think every logo needs some unique touch to set it apart from the rest of the crowd, especially those that based off a standard shape.
Take Macy’s red star for example:
Or H&R Block’s green square:
Or 3M’s logo:
So the question is: Can a Logo be Too Simple? Share your opinions in the comments.
It has to be a complete package. A good logo has to be part of a good marketing and PR campaign, and visa versa.
If one of the cogs are wear, the business is put at risk.
The issue with simplicity is originality. Whilst the best logos are simple, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to come up with something that no-one else has. In fact, I’d go on to say it’s almost impossible to design an effective logo that’s 100% original.
Cheers for reading my blog, Alec. ;)
A small tip for your own blog would be to add the ’subscribe to comments’ plugin, so your commenters know if you’ve answered them.
Jansen, thank you for your comment.
Thanks for you input, David. That’s what I was thinking as well.
I actually have the RSS for comments set up, but maybe email would be more convenient for this. I’ll look into it. Thanks.
I’d say simple is good, as long as the rest of the marketing adheres to the rather tight parameters that would come with such a logo. Macy’s, for example, uses it’s star logo all over the place in a great variety of usage. The result is me wondering why there is a huge poster of STP’s 4th album on the wall at the mall. The more pointed the logo is, the less flexibility you have with stylization and expandability. Simple has to be ‘pulled off’, not just done. Of your examples, the latter 2 do it great, in my opinion. Macy’s is an example of what not to do.
I second the email comment notification!
Hey Bryan, I agree with what you have to say on Macy’s, but I’m not convinced that H&R Block has a great logo. A green square? Seems incomplete.
3M’s logo is my favorite of these three examples, but I think it takes simplicity a little too far. It needs a modification of some kind to make it more unique.
The email notification is now implemented. Thanks for the suggestion, David and Bryan.
Nice job installing the plugin, and thanks for the makeshift email!
I think you’ll find your plugin addition will boost comments, and your readers will be more inclined to check the box rather than subsribe to your comments RSS.
I think so, too. I had always noticed it’s convenience when I would comment on other blogs, but for some reason, I hadn’t thought of installing a plugin like that. Thanks, David.
I think that a good logo have to simply but original!!!
I loved this blog. It is my Google Reader! W’ll be back.
Congratulations
Regards
Daniel
Hey, Daniel. I’m glad you like it and thanks a lot for subscribing. I’ll be out of town for a week, but there will still be regular posts.
Don’t worry Alec!
Have a nice weekend!
Best Wishes
Daniel
Thanks, man, you too. Off I go.
[...] The funny thing is that when I snagged Alec’s logo he had just posted: Can a Logo Be Too Simple? [...]