What on Earth is going on with simplified logos? - Summary

Summary

The article discusses the recent brand logo changes made by Discord, and how they were met with negative feedback from the community. The author notes that while the changes may have been made with good intentions, such as improving readability and simplifying the design, they ultimately resulted in a loss of emotional and aesthetic content associated with the brand.

The article goes on to discuss how this trend of simplifying logos is common among many brands, and how it often leads to a negative reaction from the public. The author argues that while simplification can be a useful design tool, it can also lead to a loss of personality and character in a brand's logo.

The article also touches on the idea that people's emotions and reactions to logo changes are not just about aesthetics, but also about the emotional connection they have with the brand. The author notes that brands play a significant role in shaping our identities and experiences, and that changes to their logos can be perceived as a loss of that connection.

Overall, the article suggests that while there may be logical reasons behind logo changes, the emotional impact on the public should not be underestimated, and that brands should be mindful of the emotional connection they have with their customers when making changes to their logos.

Facts

Here are the key facts extracted from the text:

1. Discord changed its brand look, including its logo, word mark, and brand color.
2. The change was made to improve readability, particularly on different types of materials and small surfaces.
3. The new logo has a more legible word mark and a brighter color called "blurple".
4. Discord refined and diversified its brand color palette.
5. The company received feedback from members of the Discord community on the design changes.
6. Some people reacted negatively to the changes, feeling that they were unnecessary and made the brand look less playful.
7. Other brands, such as Firefox, Petco, Dunkin' Donuts, and Pringles, have also made changes to their logos in recent years.
8. Some of these changes have been met with criticism and backlash from customers and fans.
9. Research has shown that children as young as two can recognize and express brand awareness.
10. By age three to four, children can make judgments about a brand and connect it to certain personality traits.
11. Brands play a significant role in people's lives, influencing their happiness, entertainment, and means of communication.
12. The American identity is heavily influenced by brands, and changes to a brand's logo can be perceived as a change to that identity.
13. Oversimplifying logos can be seen as a way to show the powerlessness of individuals against large companies and their design decisions.
14. Despite logical reasons behind design changes, people may still feel a sense of loss or frustration when a brand's logo is altered.