{"id":277532,"date":"2022-11-22T20:00:09","date_gmt":"2022-11-22T18:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.99cluster.com\/blog\/?p=12280"},"modified":"2025-01-23T04:46:14","modified_gmt":"2025-01-23T09:46:14","slug":"generic-logos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vistaprint.com\/hub\/generic-logos","title":{"rendered":"Generic logos: how to spot and avoid them"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ever see a logo for a brand and feel like you\u2019ve seen it before but from somewhere else? You\u2019ve probably just come across a generic logo\u2014a been-there-done-that, uninspired graphic that isn\u2019t doing much for the brand it represents.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Logos are more than just an image and some text. A logo is the face of an entire brand, which means that an unoriginal, overused logo design signals to potential customers that a brand is also unoriginal. In today’s crowded marketplace, why would people want to give business to a brand that feels generic? A customer may take his or her business somewhere else, solely based on the image that the brand puts forth. For a small business owner who wants to attract customers and stand out from the competition, a compelling logo design is the first opportunity to send the right message out into the world.<\/p>\n

What is a generic logo?<\/h2>\n

Generic logos feature design elements that have been used so many times that they no longer feel like original creations. Some of these common, overused logos are easy to spot\u2014think of anything that looks like old Microsoft Clip Art. But others are less obvious to the untrained eye. Fear not! We’ve rounded up the most overused logo design concepts so you can learn how to avoid them.<\/p>\n

We the people, not V the people<\/h3>\n

The V-person, or the instantly recognizable abstract, gender-neutral humanoid, has been used across a variety of industries, from social media to service-oriented businesses. While it’s great in theory (all customers are humans, and customers who are excited about your brand are the best), the V-person is devoid of originality.<\/p>\n

Sometimes, the V-person comes alone, and sometimes, the V-person travels in a pack. One of the V-person’s favorite ways to travel is in a ring.<\/p>\n

\"generic<\/p>\n

Globe logos are not always worldly<\/h3>\n

The globe is a \u201ctale as old as time\u201d in the logo world. Companies latch onto the idea of wanting to represent themselves as global and end up using such an overused symbol that they appear dated.<\/p>\n

\"generic<\/p>\n

Graph logos usually don’t point up<\/h3>\n

A graph that goes up and to the right means you’re successful. A graph logo, on the other hand, is a concept so common it has lost its meaning. It doesn’t show anything unique or different about your business.<\/p>\n

\"generic<\/p>\n

Generic wordmarks and lettermarks don’t say anything<\/h3>\n

A wordmark or lettermark logo can be an elegant way to brand your business. However, some of them have been done so many times that they are completely unmemorable. Any logo with your name or initials should say something about your business. Make sure it says you’re unique.<\/p>\n

\"wordmark<\/p>\n

Generic logos by industry<\/h2>\n

In addition to the above concepts, there are some overused concepts that are unique to specific industries. Here\u2019s a collection of the designs to avoid if you want to stand out from your competitors.<\/p>\n

Accounting, finance and business consulting<\/h3>\n

\"generic<\/p>\n

Finance industry logos tend to involve the company’s initials arranged with a geometric shape.<\/p>\n

For more inspiring logos, explore these consultant logos and find an idea that works for your business!<\/p>\n

Real estate<\/h3>\n

\"generic<\/p>\n

Generic real estate logos focus on\u2014you guessed it\u2014real estate. Specifically, they like to feature rooflines and shapes that could look like buildings or a skyline.<\/p>\n

Want to see some beautiful, non-generic real estate logos? Check out these examples of real estate logos<\/a>!<\/p>\n

Computer, internet, technology and communications<\/h3>\n

\"generic<\/p>\n

Have you ever done a Google Image search for “the internet?” It returns a lot of globes, lines that symbolize connectivity and other images that harken back to a 1990s-era hacker movie. Not surprisingly, technology companies gravitate toward these image concepts when trying to illustrate their own non-tangible businesses. And they end up looking common and incomprehensible.<\/p>\n

Retail<\/h3>\n

\"generic<\/p>\n

Shopping involves money, price tags and carts! Not surprisingly, these are the images that make it into overused retail logos as well.<\/p>\n

Medical, health and pharmaceutical<\/h3>\n

\"generic<\/p>\n

There are several universally understood symbols in the medical profession. These are great for communicating type of business (and were originally designed so that it was easy to recognize a doctor or apothecary even if you couldn’t read). The problem with something universal, however, is that using it makes it hard to stand out.<\/p>\n

Automotive<\/h3>\n

\"generic<\/p>\n

Generic automotive logos use abstract card shapes and emblems, which are often within circles and feature a surprising number of wings, considering flying cars are still a thing of the future.<\/p>\n

Dental<\/h3>\n

\"generic<\/p>\n

Hey, what do dentists do? They clean your teeth! What does a generic dental logo look like? A clipart image of a tooth!<\/p>\n

Need some inspiration? Check out these dental logo ideas<\/a> that will make you smile!<\/p>\n

Environmental<\/h3>\n

\"generic<\/p>\n

Environmentalists love trees. And water. And the earth. It’s not surprising that these images show up in the most overused environmental logos. Bonus points for when you build a tree with a V-person trunk!<\/p>\n

Don’t see your industry above?<\/h3>\n

Try doing a Google Image search for your business type + logos. A quick scroll down the page will help you easily identify what are common logo images among your competitors.<\/p>\n\n

\n \"generic

Noticing a hot, steamy, cuppy trend?<\/em><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n\n

Tips for creating a unique logo<\/h2>\n

Understanding what not to do for your business\u00a0is\u00a0a great first step. But it\u2019s also important to know what you should<\/em> be doing to create a compelling logo for your brand.<\/p>\n

Keep it simple, but unique<\/h3>\n

A good logo<\/a> is one that isn\u2019t overly designed, but still conveys a message when people see it. Instead of basing the logo design on basic (simple) shapes\u2014which are often overused and generic\u2014a successful logo taps into the underlying qualities that the brand is trying to express.<\/p>\n