Good Logo, Bad Logo

What makes a logo a logo? I have noticed a tendency by many individuals and companies to insert as much information or “design elements” into a logo’s design as possible. I understand the desire to tell others about what it is you do or to create an impressive effect, but after examining what a logo’s purpose is and how the eye reacts to such logo designs, this is the wrong approach.

The Oxford American Dictionary defines a logo as “a symbol or other small design adopted by an organization to identify its products, uniform, vehicles, etc.”

A logo should be simple. Why? The logo needs to be quickly recognized with its company/entity. Having a complex logo design will only confuse the brain, since there is more information to take in and remember. Also, the simpler a logo, the more professional it will look…given that its designer has a good sense of design and design techniques.

Take a look at the following examples of logos. I think you will be able to spot the good from the bad…