The Minefield of Branding: Separating Serious from Satirical Reactions
The Perils of Social Media Feedback
Branding is a minefield these days, with social media ensuring that everybody can share their immediate gut reaction to anything from a new logo to an advert or poster design. Consider the reaction to the Jaguar rebrand and the AI Coca-Cola Christmas ad as a just couple of recent examples.
The Blurred Lines between Serious and Ironic Responses
But sometimes the vehemence of public reactions to rebrands is so strong, it can be hard to tell if people are being serious or ironic. Take this recent viral Twitter thread, for instance. A user has shared a list of "the worst redesigns." But while they may not be the best rebrands ever, the list contains so many sensible ones that I’m not sure if the post is intended to be serious or a satirical take on the usual outcry that greets some new identities.
The Debate: Good or Bad Redesigns?
At the top of the list is the recent Jaguar rebrand, obviously. This is probably what prompted the post, and it’s well-justified as a candidate. If ever a car logo redesign was unnecessary, this was it. The Kia logo, one of our pet hates at Creative Bloq, is also on the list, quite deservedly.
However, things quickly become less clear-cut. The new Pepsi logo, for instance, is a downgrade? I’d disagree (although we can certainly debate Pepsi’s redesigns of other brands’ logos). The same for the Coca-Cola logo and Burger King logo, both of which were made cleaner and simpler without sacrificing their distinctiveness.
The Case for Simplicity in Logo Design
But it’s this simplification that a lot of people seem to take issue with. Simplicity has several benefits in logo design, aiding interpretation and memorability as well as the practicality of actually applying the logo in different locations. And often the simplification has involved stripping out elements that were very much of a certain time, like drop shadows or gradients, thus making the identity feel more timeless. But it seems that for some people this equates to soulless.
A Question of Taste: When Satire Takes Over
It’s when someone brings up the "redesign" of the Japanese flag that I start to wonder how seriously people are taking this thread!
Conclusion
The world of branding is a complex and often fraught one, with opinions on what makes a good or bad redesign varying widely. Whether or not one agrees with the author’s assessments, it’s clear that the debate will continue to rage on social media.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are some examples of recent rebrands that sparked controversy?
A: The Jaguar rebrand, the AI Coca-Cola Christmas ad, and the simplification of logos like Pepsi, Coca-Cola, and Burger King.
Q: What are the benefits of simplification in logo design?
A: Simplification aids interpretation and memorability, making the logo more practical to apply in different locations, and can make the identity feel more timeless.
Q: How can I stay up-to-date with the latest branding trends and inspiration?
A: Follow Creative Bloq for the latest news, trends, and inspiration on branding and design.
