Logos define brands and they create corporate images because logos are what sticks in people’s mind and create associations. Think Coca-Cola, Nike, or McDonald’s – what do you instantly picture in mind? Right, their logos. Great logos will never allow their consumers forget about the brand – it’s what prompts them choose one product over alternative: people tend to stick to something familiar, something that brings up positive associations.

While the implementation of an effective logo can set a company up for success, the opposite is also possible. When outside input isn’t gathered to evaluate logo prototypes, designers can miss major steps and the result can be disastrous. Here are 10 examples of missteps and how logos can potentially ruin corporate reputations.

Catholic Church’s Archdiocesan Youth Commission

This logo was developed in 1973 and won an award from the Art Director’s Club of Los Angeles. This example shows how perception can adjust over time with new generations viewing things much differently from their predecessors.

ihatemedia

No explanation is needed on why this logo from Kudawara Pharmacy has gained such widespread public attention. It leaves one wondering what services are offered inside those doors..

KidsExchange

Proper capitalization and a space between the words of the KidsExchange logo could have saved this company a great deal of embarrassment..

filehurricane.com

Many customers may think twice about entering a MegaFlicks store after reading this logo. Lesson to learn: Use fonts carefully or you may regret the results..

The Arlington Pediatric Center is certainly gaining some unwanted publicity when this logo design gone impossibly wrong. While the center may employ wonderful physicians, the public will forever misperceive its services because of this tragic logo..

Junior Jazz Dance Class

The black-and-white images in this logo create an unintended optical illusion. One begins to wonder if it’s a junior dance center or an adult entertainment club..

planetperplex.com

Instituto de Estudos Orientais

This logo was intended to portray the sun behind a yellow building, but the simple use of two black lines on the building’s roof creates a very different image..

Even the simple use of three letters to create a logo can generate public outrage. Rotate the logo 90 degrees clockwise and suddenly a very different image appears. The most unfortunate aspect of this logo is it’s still being used by the agency..

After releasing this logo, Clinica Dental is likely now jokingly referred to as a ‘full-service’ practitioner.

The Computer Doctors

This logo wouldn’t be so bad if only the mouse didn’t look so much like a… well, just view the photo and pass your own judgment..

While it may be comical to view these unfortunate logo creations and ponder how their creators didn’t foresee the tragic misrepresentations, a valuable lesson must also be learned. A logo can make or break a company’s reputation. These examples also demonstrate the importance of obtaining alternate viewpoints on logo prototypes before a brand image is implemented..

To avoid this misuse of creativity as a graphic designer, stick to the basic graphic design principles, adhere to the guidelines provided by your clients, and solicit advice on prototypes before sending them out to the public. By following this advice, you will avoid having your designs join the ranks of logos gone wrong.

More logo design related post we’ve previously published: