When Bad Things Happen to Good Logos

Logos are all about context. Check out Stephen Heller’s piece in AIGA’s Voice about how even the most beautifully formed and well-intentioned logo can’t be separated from whatever negative association that brand comes to have. Acclaimed designer Paul Rand’s perfectly lovely Enron logo will never be judged for its form and cleverness. And the swastika, which used to be an ancient symbol of good fortune, well, good luck trying to make that not scream pure evil.

And then there’s this Archdiocesan Youth Commission logo from the early 70’s. Hard to imagine when this was ever a good idea…