A logo defines your company’s brand, so it is critical that the logo is designed perfectly. Having an unclear, overwhelming logo will make it hard for consumers to associate your logo with the product or company. Here are 5 beginning tech company logos that show what not to do when choosing a logo. Microsoft Corp. is the latest to update its logo, displayed above. Its the first time in 25 years that its done so, which speaks to the fact that sometimes the best logo you can have is a consistent one that is the same year after year. A company usually only changes its log o if it wants to make a major impact – or the previous logo is really terrible.
As you can see, these original logos weren’t exactly giving a clear branding image for what the companies intended. Thankfully, these were able to be re-designed but their message is still one we can learn from.
Apple
The original Apple logo depicts Isaac Newton sitting under a tree with an apple hanging above his head. The company name is written on a banner that wraps the image, and a quote circles the border “Newton… A mind forever voyaging through strange seas of thought…alone”. This border text is hard to read on such a small image. It’s important to choose fonts and placement that will be legible to consumers when choosing a logo. Not only is this logo too large and overwhelming to be on thousands of products, it also resembles a tombstone! Thankfully, this logo only lasted a year. Never use a logo that will even remotely associate your company with death.
Dell
This original Dell logo is certainly clear and easy to read, but it lacks memorability. The plain, flat font doesn’t have anything special about it that makes it memorable to consumers. The evolved image now includes an off-centered letter “e”, giving the logo something unique to it. These changes to the logo while minor can make a big difference in marketing.
Microsoft
Few people remember this original Microsoft logo, which is precisely part of why it didn’t stick. This twisted and curled font gives it a fun-house effect, probably not the idea you want consumers to have about your product. Poor choice of font can be extremely harmful to your logo. Of course, we all know how the Microsoft logo evolved and changed drastically from its two words dizzying original start.
Firefox
Another short-lived poor choice of logo for a company in the technology business, is it a swan or a Pokémon? We will never know. What we do know is that this logo clearly misrepresents their company. Choosing a logo design that properly represents your company is imperative to success. Images this confusing and misleading will make consumers inaccurately associate your company with something it may or may not be. The new Firefox logo accurately portrays the company name and allows consumers to associate them with their name and product. A logo is another face to your company this is something that is clearly often overlooked.
IBM
This original IBM logo fails to have a clear message. Is it Business International Machines or International Business Machines? This confusing message coupled with the stretched out font make this logo very confusing. The logo doesn’t serve as a good branding image if the company name is not even clear. Today, the much simpler IBM logo is much better for branding and is widely recognized by consumers. Again, you want to make sure that your company name and message are evident in your logo.
