Anyone keeping an eye on logo design over the past few years may have noticed a certain trend. Logos have been getting simpler, flatter and more minimalist. For many, this makes sense. A simple logo is easy to recall and it has the flexibility to work in small digital uses such as in favicons and app icons.
But this logo design trend may have some downsides for branding, it turns out. New research warns that "debranding" – stripping away elements that made the brand unique and recognisable – may be turning brands into 'blands' (see our guide to how to design a logo for tips on developing your own designs).
