4 Tips for Avoiding the Logo Backlash that Airbnb is Going Through
Poor Airbnb. This is a company from San Francisco that lets people list, find, and book special places to stay in over 34,000 cities and 190 countries all over the world. They just released a new logo that they were really proud of. They thought it would inspire others to share it on social media and maybe even copy it.
But here’s the sad part: a lot of people on Twitter, and even some magazines, don’t like the new Airbnb logo. They’ve been criticizing it, studying it, and making fun of it. There are even videos out there that make fun of the logo.
Why did this happen? What’s going on? How could a company that’s usually so creative and good at web design and social media mess up so badly when it came to their new logo? Are there just too many people out there who like to criticize? Are people just mean?
The answer lies in a simple truth: interpretation.
Some critics and Twitter users thought that Airbnb’s new logo looked naughty. They felt that it resembled certain parts of the human body. Now, Airbnb is facing a lot of criticism on Twitter, with people trying to embarrass and make fun of their attempt to come up with a new and cool look.
In case you missed it yesterday: The new Airbnb logo looks pretty rude so I made a song about it. http://t.co/NWBIcINibE #airbnblogo
— REAL Brett Domino (@BrettDomino) July 18, 2014
So, apparently, people can’t agree on whether or not Airbnb’s new logo is good. Some folks think it’s great, while others think it looks rather…well, let’s just say not suitable for polite conversation. Psychiatrists must be having a field day with this debate. I mean, seriously, what is wrong with people? Can’t we all just appreciate a logo for what it is?
Take a look at this tweet: The new Airbnb logo is genius — even if it does look like a mash-up of human genitalia. Well, that’s one way to describe it. Thanks, Salon.com, for keeping it classy.
TechCrunch, always keeping things interesting, is asking people to get creative and come up with their own versions of the logo. Now that’s what I call a challenge!
But wait, there’s more! It turns out that someone else already has a pretty similar logo to Airbnb’s new design. Talk about a lack of originality. I guess somebody didn’t do their homework. Take a look at this tweet comparing the two logos. It’s like déjà vu.
All I can say is, Existing logo on top, new logo at the bottom. Can’t you see the resemblance? Thanks for pointing it out, erik spiekermann.
I’ve got some great tips on how to avoid backlash when creating a logo:
Be Smart
When you’re coming up with a new logo, think about how it will benefit your brand and marketing efforts. Make sure it’s memorable and will help people recognize your brand. Avoid designs that might be seen as funny, but for all the wrong reasons.
If someone on your design team doesn’t like the logo, take their opinion seriously. They could be speaking for a lot of people.
Think Socially
Remember, your new logo will be all over your social media platforms. People will be judging your color choices and how the logo looks on mobile devices.
When you launch your new logo, millions of people will have a chance to judge it – and believe me, they will!
Collaborate
Designing a logo for a business is not a task for just one or two people to decide on. When it comes to creating a logo, especially for a growing online marketplace that is highly shared on social media, it is important to gather input from a group of insiders. It is also worth considering gathering feedback from people outside of the company.
Instead of simply asking a few people for their opinions, why not turn it into a contest? Share three different versions of the new logo design and let the Twitter community voice their thoughts on which one they love and which one they think is not so great.
Create with Confidence
Ultimately, your logo is a representation of your company. It reflects your company’s values, personality, and mission. If you believe in your logo, stand by it! Don’t be afraid to explore different color variations or create unique social media campaigns to showcase your new logo in a fun and effective way.
Keep in mind that one person’s criticism could be another person’s praise. Don’t shy away from supporting your logo – it might just win over the critics in the end.
