Which logo ripped off the other one?
posted in Logo Design
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
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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
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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
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Yeah, it may not be as original as the first designer thought when he created it……but the thing that bothers me a little is that they are both in this years “Logo Lounge 4″ book within a page of each other.
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.
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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.
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Hi Bart,
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
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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.
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Bart,
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.
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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
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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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Jason says:
I disagree with most here who prefer Zoom |oom’s logo. At first, I wasn’t sure what it was about. The needle is in an unnatural position, the lack of an initial letter in a word makes it awkward. The needle isn’t even standard. Most needles I’ve seen look like the one in Custom Stitch.
As for one stealing the other’s idea, there are only so many icons associated with their similar companies. Surely there was no dishonestly.
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OllieJ says:
The title of the post and the ensuing responses from the originator are a tad pretentious. Just because two logos make use of a threaded needle doesn’t mean that one ripped from the other. In fact, that’s the only similarity I see between the two.
ZoomLoom is 3 colors with a serifed, oblique font that utilizes the threaded needle to mimic a flourished “L” form.
“Custom Stitch” is 2 colors, san-serifed vertical font that utilizes an actual stitching shape with its threaded needle.“Custom Stitch” invokes a mechanical, sowing-machine feeling which is probably how the business is, whereas “Zoom Loom” invokes a softer, hand produced feeling.
Different fonts, different executions, different moods, and different designs. Pardon the pun, but you’re searching through a haystack for a needle that just isn’t there.
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Both logos are so obvious! It’s not a difficult issue that many designers could be solving several logos this way at this very moment. I think many designers are becoming so lazzy they think people that receive messages are silly. Why can’t we think we are communicating smart ideas with smart people? I agree about the pretencious subject of this article. Very poor in my opinion.
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The needle on zoomloom’s logo wouldn’t even work! It would get stuck at the big hoop thingy. I think the best execution would be to use the tapered thread from zoomloom with the custom stich type. And lose the embroidered stich. It’s messy and not necessary, IMHO.
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I really think that this is an honest coincidence!
If one is going to do thorough brainstorming for a logo beyond a pure typographical solution, a needle and thread is an obvious solution in both these instances. Even if it does replace a letter.
In addition, there is the existance of the collective unconscious. How on earth do you explain people on opposite sides of the earth coming up with similar ideas at more or less the same times.
I’ve been in the design industry in South Africa for 16 years now and if I include my time in study I can not tell you how many times I have come up with an idea, worked it through, only later to see it in an AD&D or other design book from The States or Europe a year later.
There are blatant rip offs, yes. But there also exist a large, large amount of honest to goodness, oh-my-word-I -can’t-believe-what’s-happened-here look-alike flukes.
Jennifer – SA
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Занятно! Конечно, поразительно видеть то, как в считанные часы совершенно практически без повода из пальца высасывается такой вот “новостной сюжет” и начинает широко гулять по всем блогам.
кaмycя’s last blog post..Перемещение m. palmaris longus или т. brachioradialis
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Hey all, I just stumbled across this while discussing this old project with a peer. I was involved with the Zoom Loom brand creation. I’ve actually never seen the custom stitch logo.
I think the important thing to remember about logos and design in general is that ultimately, it’s the client’s direction and choices that drive the final product.
Glad I could happen upon this and add some first-hand knowledge (a few years too late)
Jen
