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Times change, opinions evolve (or devolve), and businesses need to adapt. Whether they want it or not, modernity creeps up on everyone—and there are plenty of successful examples of such adaptations. Companies change their policies to fit the times, ensure their values match society's, and in general, receive praise for their efforts to pull their business practices into modernity.

However, in some cases, the desire to renew oneself with the times comes with a few steps backwards. A good example would be a change in a company's logo—those are usually easier to redesign than inner workings or policy, but they also display some movement forward, so plenty of businesses jump at the chance to showcase their newfound modern outlook.

However, sometimes eagerness to appear more in with the times and attempts to modernize the look of well-established brands end up creating something that feels flat and without any of the original flair. In some cases, it can be a change of color scheme, going from a bright and vibrant design to a black-and-white and muted logo that doesn't look anything like its source. And sometimes it's the overall simplification of the logo's design that turns it unrecognizable—older companies tended to have detailed logos, which were great to look at, but with the times and automatization, the logo ends becoming more flat (a good example would be Warner Bros' logo).

While the conversation about logos and their usability is nothing new, a comment from a Twitter user Liz Franczak sparked a now-viral discussion if the simplified logos had gone too far. An in this article, we compiled some of these redesign mishaps. Clearly the companies were aiming for the modern feel, but the end result often left the customers disappointed.

#2

Warner Bros.

Warner Bros.

Warnerbros Report

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Althea Webb
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where's the grandeur? It looks like a logo for a medical company.

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Raine Soo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nope. The new logo looks like a cartoon badge. The first one, although gilded in gold, looked as if it had some sort of authority and direction.

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Boredzzz
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nooo!! They did that? Hate the new one ..looks like some cheap rip-off comic hero's badge

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Phoenix
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one does suck, I mean, why would you do this purposely

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Demon Child
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You don't have to be modern to be loved. There will always be a special place in my heart for you Warner Bros...

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Brandi VanSteenwyk
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It lost a lot of CLASS... There is something more classy about the gold trim. Almost as if the more time spent in creating the logo, the more value of the company it represents. I don't know... That is really just what came to mind almost immediately.

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Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Old logo is eye-catching. New logo looks like a cheap knock-off bought from a stranger on the street.

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Sivi
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Original is too classic, you cant just remove the gold.

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Steve
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Like Kim Kardashian getting full liposuction on her ass

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Screeching Cryptid
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2 years ago

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Pascale Pierloot
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Since they fired Johnny Depp they lost a lot of their former glory...even the logo has no shine left!

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Daniel Callaway
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Old Logo is much better. New one only uses 1 color of ink and is cheaper, which costs less , which is good!!!! NOT!!!!!

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Trond Hermansen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Graphic designer here. The WB-logo has been altered many times. This is true for many companies but most visible for the film industry. Towards the nineties the WB logo got wider and more airbrushed-looking. The new logo actually resembles the really old first logos of the company.

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Dan Stiver
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They got rid of their bold, art deco look and replaced it with this cold, boring label that looks like it belongs to an industrial conglomerate.

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Kate Priestley
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The new one probably works better on social media, but it's quite boring.

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Daniel Marsh
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know they're famous for Bugs Bunny, but two-bit meant 25 cents, not 2 bits of data.

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Dash Blue
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dang. The Then version is very dramatic. The Now version is probable much cheaper to print as a letterhead.

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Tequila4Two
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the 2019-version, the recently released an updated version of this logo. See: https://www.cbr.com/warner-bros-pictures-debuts-updated-animated-logo/ It now has a silver lining and is more 3D. It is better now, but still not great as the classic logo.

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Albino
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The animaniacs would not want to live behind the new one.

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Furry_Danger
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I didn't see the new logo until now... I only watch the older movies.

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Demongrrrrl
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do they just assume that everyone knows what WB stands for? I wouldn't, that's why having the name across the middle really works.

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Kenny Kulbiski
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Now" looks like something doodled in sixth grade study hall. (No offense sixth graders.)

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Yolande Labbé
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why the change? I see no improvement, just going down grade.

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Jessica Cifelli
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It has more of a "notice me" vibe in the before pic. Also it's more nostalgic.

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Nubis Knight
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like the old one better, should have added at least a bit of the Gold.

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S. Tor Storm
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this is just about trends. they can always take it back later

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Mangelo Il Fumatori
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This new one is very reminiscent of a version from the 1930s, but at least it's not as bad as their logo from the 1970s. (The following website has pics of the WB logo from the 1920s thru 2018. http://annyas.com/screenshots/warner-bros-logo/ )

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j
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm a graphic designer who worked at WB. I didn't work on this logo (A famous branding agency did that) but I agree with you guys, liked the previous one better. They simplified the new logo though because it's easier to use logos that are simplified that can be turned into a vector.

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#3

Gmail

Gmail

Gmail Report

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birdie asf
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yea, I realized that. It's hard to differentiate the logos now that they all have the minimalist look and the same color scheme.

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#4

Burger King

Burger King

Burger King Report

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Average Grizzlies Fan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Honestly I like the older Burger King logo, but then again that is just what I'm used to.

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#9

Holiday Inn

Holiday Inn

Holiday Inn Report

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birdie asf
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Didn't this happen a long time ago? I remember back in like 2010 I became familiar with the "now" icon.

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#11

General Motors

General Motors

General Motors Report

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Shelp
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Funnily enough the new one looks like its coming straight out of 1999

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#13

Starbucks

Starbucks

Starbucks Report

#15

Mountain Dew

Mountain Dew

Mountain Dew Report

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#21

Los Angeles Rams

Los Angeles Rams

Los Angeles Rams Report

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A.M. Pierre
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can argue the new logo is clever if you already know they are the Rams, but no one is going to look at that logo cold and think "Rams". Modern or not, the first one is clearly a ram.

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#22

Wawa

Wawa

Wawa Report

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Charlene Wilbur
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wawa is in Florida now and it is literally THE BEST convenience store/deli.

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#25

Yves Saint Laurent

Yves Saint Laurent

Yves Saint Laurent Report

#27

Blue Point Brewing Company

Blue Point Brewing Company

Blue Point Brewing Company Report

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Shelp
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why would they change that logo? The old one was unique and had a distinctive feature. The new one could be anything. Plus, the new font isn't even that good.

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#28

Procter & Gamble

Procter & Gamble

Procter & Gamble Report

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Zoe's Mom
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It was changed because back in the late 70's some sort of group thought the logo was Satanic because of the 13 stars causing decrease revenues. I remember this because as a kid I was so upset; thinking how stupid these people were because I love pretty much anything celestial.

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#29

Yahoo!

Yahoo!

Yahoo! Report

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white_shadow
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

tbh I don't liek the letters with lines at the edges. Just like google's old logo

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#30

Airbnb

Airbnb

Airbnb Report

Note: this post originally had 43 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

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