When is the right time to redesign your logo?
Logo being the basic identity of a business, when is the right time to change your business logo? Or, is it fair to change the logo at all?
Yes, a logo can be changed only when it is felt necessary to change it. There are numerous instances where companies – big and small – have changed their logos and benefitted from it.
Usually companies change their logos with changing times. Here the phrase “changing times” means changing tastes of the customers, changing customer behaviours, changing trends in the industry, etc. Customers keep growing old and newer (younger) generations keeping filling their shoes. These new customers come with different tastes and preferences compared to the older generations.
So, when a lot of things about the customer is changing, then why cannot your logo change in tune with these changing trends. If the current logo is out of trend or if it is representing / reflecting a by gone era, then it is definitely the right time to change your logo. Further, the same old brand identity may not always be in vogue with younger generations and hence, the need to redesign the brand identity.
One of the biggest benefits of redoing your brand identity is enticing a whole new generation of customers and increase the potential of addressing this market’s needs. However, one needs to understand when it is right time to change to their logo.
Conducting a brand audit
It is always wise on part of the promoters / management to conduct an impartial third-party audit for their brand identity (at least once in every 5 years) to arrive at the decision of redesigning their brand identity. Based on this audit, it becomes clear if the logo needs a redesign or not.
Resistance to change
However, in spite of the need to redesign their logos, promoters / managements feel a certain resistance to change. This resistance is not without a reason. While many companies have an emotional attachment to their existing logos, some others feel their businesses may get affected if their logos are changed.
Success stories
There are many companies that have benefitted from by redesigning their brand identity. For example, the famous paints brand – Asian Paints – had redesigned its brand identity to suit to the changing demographics and appeal to the current generations. Hindustan Lever is another example that changed its brand identity in an effort to consolidate its position in the market. India’s state-owned airline Air India too has overhauled its brand identity and its current logo is more contemporary compared to its predecessor.
Not only national brands, but many international have benefitted by redesigning their brand identities. Popular international brands like KFC, Netflix, Google, Apple, etc. had undergone this process from time to time and their logos keep evolving in tune with the changing customer demographics and habits.
Hence, check if it is your time…