Is this too close for comfort?
In the latest installment in the Logo Lounge book series, “Logo Lounge 4″, 2 logos are featured within a page of each other.
Both use the exact same idea of the needle and thread.
Both were uploaded to Logo Lounge’s website in 2007.
“ZoomLoom” logo was created by Copia Creative, Inc. for the company “Styetex”
“Custom Stitch” logo was created by Admarc, also known as Senterbrands (Bart O’Dell).
It is always difficult to know which one to appreciate, or do we appreciate both of them for a design like this? Is this just coincidence that they both came up with a logo so similar around the same time period, and are both obviously members of the logo lounge website?
This post is not meant to say anything bad about any designers. It’s purpose is to bring up the topic of when logo designs cross!
What do you think? Too similar? Just a good design that two different designers had originally?
Other interesting blog posts about graphic design rip offs:
Just Creative Design - (Jacob Cass) - Graphic Design Plagiarism and Rip Offs
Mashable.com - Exposed: The 7 Most Blatant Web 2.0 Rip Offs
Godbit.com - LogoMaid : Imitation or Theft?
YouThoughtWeWouldntNotice.com
10 responses so far ↓
1 Toon@Design Forum (2 comments) // Mar 31, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Usually the poorest is the copy in my experience. I think the top one is slightly better but that’s just my opinion.
Toon@Design Forum’s last blog post..BBC Redesign looks very Apple
2 Brian Yerkes (34 comments) // Apr 2, 2008 at 6:33 am
3 Jennifer (3 comments) // Apr 3, 2008 at 5:06 am
Hi Brian
It’s hard to tell really. I suppose it wouldn’t be unusual that a needle and thread would come to mind for companies like this. They’re executed slightly differently and I think the one on top looks a little more sophisticated.
Jennifer’s last blog post..Design Inspiration : Startdrawing.org
4 Brian Yerkes (34 comments) // Apr 5, 2008 at 7:52 am
Which means they were both uploaded to the logo lounge website at some point during 2007, where they are added to a searchable database. I’m sure if I searched for “Stitching” or “Needle” I would probably find them.
5 Bart O'Dell (2 comments) // Apr 10, 2008 at 8:54 am
Brian, first off, let me say that this was created in 2006 and uploaded to the LogoLounge site in 2006 after the closing of submissions for LogoLounge 3. I appreciate your comments and just a reminder all you have to do is email and ask.
6 Brian Yerkes (34 comments) // Apr 11, 2008 at 7:31 am
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, and for the information.
The post was not supposed to call anyone out, it was simply to create discussion on the topic of logo design and when concepts are similar.
Just out of curiosity, do you think your concept was copied for the zoom loom logo at all? Or do you just think that the concept had an easy chance of being thought of by another designer?
It seems there are not too many options for a stitching company logo, and I can see how two designers thought of the needle for their logos.
Thanks again
7 Bart O'Dell (2 comments) // Apr 13, 2008 at 9:40 am
This happens quite a lot in our industry. There is no original ideas, only original execution.
You yourself can ponder the question chicken or egg by your own company logo compared to Bob Mills Furniture.
8 Brian Yerkes (34 comments) // Apr 13, 2008 at 3:06 pm
I would have to disagree on that point about the Bob Mills Furniture logo.
Font choice is simply font choice. The fact that the “B” is the same font does not cause any suspicion in my opinion. Our company logo and the Bob mills logo are not close enough whatsoever to be considered a duplicate.
A mark, or a symbol on the other hand, outside of a font, does allow for people to question the originality.
9 David Airey (7 comments) // Apr 14, 2008 at 12:13 am
It is a coincidence, for sure, but as Bart says, this happens a lot in our industry. My logo was executed with original intentions, though I’ve since come across many others that look similar.
David Airey’s last blog post..Spec work in the internet age
10 Dot Design (1 comments) // May 9, 2008 at 9:47 am
ZoomLoom gets my vote in terms of the most successful execution also. I think (like others) that these identites just happen to feature the same idea by accident. Its quite a well used concept and one that I bet hundreds of textile/needlecraft shops around the glode feature in one way or another!
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