Quote:
Originally Posted by jim777
if they added the word "Prestige" to the classic swoosh, that would probably work.
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nooooo, "Prestige" is as pointless and meaningless as "team J craft" or "J custom". It's bad enough when they put stuff like that on the 12th fret or on the back of the headstock, but don't make it part of the logo. Whoever thought of that must've been marketing washing powder before joining Hoshino
Please note this is not about MIJ vs MIK or anything similar, this is about marketing and establishing your brand.
When presenting a logo the surroundings must be as uncluttered as possible. Any distraction or addition will only dilute the brand and trademark.
You also have to be careful with small embellishments, such as the XL logo shown above, the
JEM script or the UNIVERSE print. They have to be separate, but linked and consistent in their script use.
If a logo itself is strong enough it can be displayed on different backgrounds (glass, brick) but you have to avoid designed backgrounds (polka dots, stripes) or be very consistent with them (always on a faded background)
For example, I used to own an Ibanez T-shirt that had the Ibanez lettering (no tick) in Multi Colour, but the tee was black. Had this been reversed (black letters on MC) the multicoloured background would've distracted from the Ibanez script. If a logo is strong enough it can be displayed in chrome, MOP, gold or MC without problem, but a weak logo on an elaborate background won't work. The white on black Marshall logo is instantly recognisable, but black on white? It could refer to anything. Which is why they use the full name Marshall Amplification:
Also note that the Nike tick (swoosh) has become such a strong logo, that they haven't had the need for the NIKE name since 1997 and have used it only on "retro" gear.
Inconsistency in logos and lettering is something that could bite Ibanez in the ass, when they want to take fakers and counterfitters to court. The simple fact that Ibanez themselves have used JEM and Universe almost as type names on their own, instead of using them as qualifiers (IE an Ibanez Jem
guitar), or Universe
7string guitar) could mean that in time the name Jem becomes generic and it becomes difficult to enforce the trademarks.
