Logos with Meaning

Logos and branding surround us. Without even realizing it, consumers see an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 ads per day. Yes, that sounds like a lot, but start counting how many ads you see and hear starting when the alarm clock goes off – bet you get tired of counting by time you get to breakfast!

Logos are a big part of how brands penetrate the consciousness of consumers. A strong logo should be simple, singular, recognizable, and represent the brand attributes. Many logos have deeply rooted meanings that portray the brand’s history and values. Consider the following examples:

  • Beats by Dre: Represents a human head wearing earphones.
  • Amazon: A yellow line links A to Z.
  • Tour de France: A cyclist as the letter R, and the yellow wheel representing racing during the day.
  • BMW: The colors of the Bavarian flag are in the logo.
  • Tostitos: See the people represented by the middle Ts share a bowl of salsa.

How many different logos do you see right now?

Group Activities and Discussion Questions:

  1. Poll students – how many logos do they see in a day?
  2. Now, have each student count the number of logos that they are carting around today. Include backpacks, clothing, electronics, etc. Add the number from each student and see how big the count is at.
  3. Discuss the importance of logos in branding efforts.
  4. Do a Web search for articles that discuss logos. One such article: https://designschool.canva.com/blog/hidden-meanings-behind-50-worlds-recognizable-logos/
  5. Divide students into teams. Have each team design a new logo for a product of their choice.
  6. Debrief by having each team show its logo. Have a class vote on a favorite.

Source:  CBS News, New York Times, other news sources

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