40 Logo Design Cliches To Avoid Like The Plague

1. Abstract Figure

The "V-man" was built on a good idea. Unfortunately, it’s so abstract that it often clouds the brand’s message.

2. Cubic Building

Mostly seen in construction and real estate companies. Super plain. Sparks no connection. Fosters no loyalty.

3. Sphere

I see it. The message is global reach and connectivity. But how can your brand stand out internationally with such a basic concept??

4. Lightbulb

Oh, the irony. An unimaginative way to represent innovation and creativity.?

5. Handshake

Is there another way to communicate trust and partnership? I think yes.

6. Puzzle

Creative businesses are guilty of this one. Not sure if it’s the best way to demonstrate your creativity.?

7. Random Bubbles/Dots

This is a weird one. It’s supposed to represent diversity, but to me, it seems like a super lazy (read: lousy) solution.

8. Acronym in Box or with an Arc

Extremely overused concepts. These weren’t even good in the first place.

9. Automotive

Abstract car silhouettes in a ridiculous amount of iterations. I’m all for descriptive logos, but this is just too literal and boring.?

10. Chemistry

Science is the backbone of our society and an incredibly wide realm. It can certainly be represented with something other than test tubes and atoms.

11. Communication

Information and communication businesses often resort to speech bubbles or megaphones to convey what they’re all about. Nothing wrong with the concept. It’s just heavily overused.?

12. Agriculture

Another idea that has been recycled too many times. I’m positive that there’s something more unique and interesting about your business than an abstract green landscape.

13. Education

Graduation caps are a symbol of achievement and books are a symbol of knowledge. Still, there are so many other symbols you can use to represent these two things!?

14. Media

Not much to say about these except - we’ve all seen ‘em before and we’re not impressed.?

15. Food

Businesses in the food industry have lots of room to get creative with their logos. Going with kitchenware or a chef’s hat is generally not a great solution.

16. Gambling

Your audience knows what a casino is and what you do there. Is it truly necessary to have cards, dice, and poker chips in your logo? I don’t think so.

17. Dental

If you’re serious about building a strong brand identity for your dental practice, I suggest you stay away from clipart images of teeth. Not a good look.

18. Beauty

The beauty industry is very competitive. Going for a female face silhouette logo (± flowers/leaves) won’t help you stand out in the crowded market.?

19. Law

Oh, man. Been there, done that. These logos are so bland that they’re instantly forgettable. Looking at this collection feels like I’m playing Find the Differences.

20. Engineering/Manufacturing

Gears represent work, progress, and innovation. Maybe companies using them in logos should’ve put some more work into coming up with more compelling concepts.?

21. IT/Tech

The success of startups in the tech & IT space partly depends on their ability to differentiate themselves. A banal logo like this just doesn’t cut it. And no, adding a gradient won’t help!

22. Music

All of these things make sense for businesses in the music industry. But they’re too stereotypical to actually stick.?If you want to use any of them, you'll need to get super creative!

23. Publishing

Not saying that your publishing company or bookstore can’t have books, pens, or feathers in its logo, but please try to incorporate them in an unexpected way.?

24. Forestry

More concepts that aren’t inherently bad. Unfortunately, they’re hackneyed. If you go for any of them, chances are your logo will be indistinguishable from that of other businesses.

25. Real Estate

Real estate is plagued with cliche logos. Whether it’s a clipart rooftop, skyline, or an abstract building shape - they all look the same. It’s just the name and color that changes.?

26. Electrical/Energy

Lightning bolts represent power and electricity. Yet, there’s nothing powerful about having a logo that’s so common and uninspired.?

27. Medical/Pharma

Crosses, Caduceus & The Rod of Asclepius are universally known symbols of medicine. Unsurprisingly, almost every brand in the industry has one of them in its logo. If you do the same, it’ll be very hard to stand out.?

28. Retail

Your business is in retail? Say no more. Let’s do a shopping cart, bag, or price tag logo! Actually, please don’t. Most successful retailers don’t use any of these symbols.??

29. Film

Cameras, camera films, and clapperboards are sensible choices for a film company logo. Unfortunately, these concepts are used up. It’s best to move on.?

30. Oil/Water

What better way to represent liquid than a drop, right? Maybe. But it’s going to take a lot of work to come up with a drop-shaped logo that’s actually unique and memorable.?

31. News

Breaking news!! Another news company with a globe or microphone in its logo. So unpredictable and fresh.?

32. Transport

Can you be any more blatant about what you do than a transport/logistics company with a logo featuring a truck and a road? I dare you to try!?

33. Financial

If you’re okay with your finance/accounting business drowning in the sea of competitors, settle for a random graph logo. Otherwise, ditch this concept altogether.

34. Construction

What do construction companies do? Make buildings. So what should their logo be? A building, of course! And some random tools to spice things up.?

35. Veterinary

The same thought process is applied to veterinary logos. Vets treat animals. The logo? A couple of pets (or paws!) along with a heart or cross to symbolize medicine. Done!?

36. Photography

If I had a nickel for every time I saw one of these two. Photography is a creative profession. It deserves a creative logo to match.?

37. Nature

The environmental industry is dominated by groundbreaking logos featuring trees and leaves. Bonus points if you include a hand, the globe, or a V-man.?

38. Telecommunication

Want your brand to look the same as hundreds of other telecommunication companies? Include radio waves, globes & antennas in your logo. There you go!?

39. Fashion

You sell clothes? Great. Let’s do a piece of clothing as your logo. Or even better, a mannequin. No? Okay. Oh, wait, I’ve got it - a hanger!?

40. Fishing & Hunting

The Hunting & Fishing Industry is known for random fish (± hook) and deer (± gun) logos. Both of these concepts are intuitive and have potential. But do they capture the essence of YOUR brand??

Don’t settle for a generic logo. Your business deserves better.?

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Damjan ?ori? is a freelance designer specializing in logo & visual identity for small businesses. Over the course of 10 years, he has helped hundreds of brands share their story, build awareness, and establish trust by delivering effective graphic solutions across branding, packaging, print, and digital media. In 2021, he received the 99designs award for Best Branding Design.

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