Logo R.I.P.

By Declan Stone, Garech Stone

Subjects: restyle, Art, Art & Art Instruction, Design - General, Commercial art, corporate identity, Logotypes (Printing), Graphic Arts - General, rebrand, Graphic arts, Graphic design, Dead logo, history of graphic design, History

Description: In today’s ruthless business environment, corporations face uncertain futures. The forces of globalisation are creating unprecedented change. Yet apart from the displacement, downsizing and elimination of the workforce, the other casualties are the visual manifestations of the company: it’s logo, or trademark. ‘Logo R.I.P.’ is a commemoration of logos withdrawn from the ocular landscape. Many are considered icons of their time or international design classics, whilst others cost millions only to be replaced within a year or two. These logos disappeared, yet in contrast to the ceremony and pomp that greeted their arrival, they often suffered an ignoble death. Now deemed defunct, they are consigned to the logo graveyard, no longer allowed to signify.