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<keyword id="10879" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="youtube" source="Orion">YouTube</keyword> fans have been puzzled by a subtle change in the platform’s familiar look recently. Several users have been noticing how the red progress bar when you watch a video is shifting to a pink gradient. This subtle change has sparked talk of a broader rebranding effort, perhaps even a logo update. Given the platform’s last major visual redesign was in 2019, it’s possible YouTube is gearing up to align itself with a fresher, more modern look, a common trend across digital brands today.<br /><br /><h2>YouTube logo getting changed soon?<br /></h2><br />YouTube has long retained a clean, recognisable identity with its bright red colour. Yet, the shift to pink in the progress bar could hint at broader changes, especially as other tech giants are also embracing gradient colours and experimenting with logos to keep their brand aesthetic current. <br /><br />“The visual changes rolling out on web and mobile will also come to the YouTube app on TV. Keep an eye out for new pops of pink, as well as other light touches that add dynamism to the YouTube you know and love,” the company mentioned in a blog post last month.<br /><br />YouTube also disclosed the change in a post on X, via a relatively unknown handle called Google Design. <br /><br />"YouTube's identity just got a refresh. The new YouTube color palette features a brand gradient that elevates the UX and reinforces the brand. Say hello to a softer shade of red and eye-catching magenta-infused gradients," the post reads. <br /><br />  <div type="image" title="7" msid="115050326" hostid="261"></div><br />YouTube may similarly be looking to refresh its look while balancing the identity that’s made it iconic. However, nothing about an official logo update has been announced.<br /><br />With that being said, if a logo redesign indeed follows, its impact can be tricky to predict. For example, many brands have misfired in the past when attempting major redesigns, alienating their loyal audience instead of attracting new interest. A potential logo update would mark a big step for YouTube, especially since subtle changes like these can dramatically affect user perception.<br /><br />As YouTube reportedly considers a new logo redesign, the move brings to mind some memorable and turbulent logo changes from other major brands. Redesigning a logo isn’t a simple task; it can redefine a company’s image, reinforce brand values, and appeal to new audiences. However, as these examples show, a logo change can easily backfire if it doesn’t resonate with consumers or fails to reflect the brand’s core identity. Let us take a look at some examples from the past where a logo redesign didn’t go as planned.<br /><br /><h2>1. Gap’s Short-Lived redesign<br /></h2><br />  <div type="image" title="3" msid="115050331" hostid="261"></div><br /><br />Gap, the popular clothing retailer, experienced one of the most infamous <keyword id="23849484" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="logo-redesign-failures" source="keywords">logo redesign failures</keyword> in 2010. With the aim to align with contemporary design trends, Gap abandoned its iconic blue box for a minimalistic Helvetica-based look. This redesign faced immediate backlash, with customers expressing disappointment over the loss of the brand’s warmth and heritage. <br /><br />Within a week, Gap reverted to its original logo, realising the new version lacked the authenticity their audience valued. This incident underscores the importance of respecting a brand’s legacy. A logo redesign can’t just be trendy; it must feel connected to what loyal users have come to love.<br /><br /><h2>2. Tropicana’s misguided simplicity<br /></h2><br />  <div type="image" title="5" msid="115050344" hostid="261"></div><br /><br />In 2009, Tropicana attempted a redesign that would prove costly. The bright, recognisable logo was replaced with a simplistic and sterile version, alienating consumers. Sales plummeted as customers struggled to identify the new packaging, which resembled generic brands rather than a trusted favourite. <br /><br />Within a few months, Tropicana reverted to its original look, learning the hard way that standing out on the shelves was crucial to its appeal. A toned-down design might not align with a brand that aims to capture and hold people’s attention.<br /><br /><h2>3. Uber’s identity shift<br /></h2><br />  <div type="image" title="2" msid="115050352" hostid="261"></div><br /><br />In 2016, Uber tried to distance itself from its ride-sharing origins with a logo that removed its familiar “U” in favour of a geometric symbol. The change confused users, and the loss of instant brand recognition led Uber to make adjustments, later adding the name “Uber” below the symbol for clarity. By 2018, Uber dropped the icon altogether, reverting to a more traditional logo that better aligned with its global user base<br /><br /><h2>4. Pepsi’s pricey tilted strip<br /></h2><br />  <div type="image" title="1" msid="115050360" hostid="261"></div><br /><br />Pepsi reportedly spent a staggering $1 million in 2008 to reorient the white stripe on its logo into a “smile,” hoping to evoke a friendlier brand image. However, the change was so subtle that many consumers didn’t notice or understand the rationale behind it. The company’s large expenditure didn’t translate into brand enhancement, serving as a reminder that a high investment doesn’t guarantee a logo’s success.<br /><br />Last year, Pepsi’s logo changed again and brought back the white wave closer to how it was before the 2008 design change. <br /><br /><h2>5. Myntra’s logo controversy<br /></h2><br />  <div type="image" title="4" msid="115050367" hostid="261"></div><br /><br />In early 2021, Myntra, an Indian e-commerce giant, faced a unique challenge when it had to change its logo following a complaint from a social activist. The activist claimed that Myntra’s then-redesigned logo was offensive and insulting to women, and the company had to update the design. <br /><br />DCP Rashmi Karandikar of Mumbai Police's Cyber Crime Department had said at the time, "We found that the logo was offensive in nature for women. Following the complaint, we sent an email to Myntra and their officials came and met us. The officials said they will change the logo in a month's time."<br /><br />This case highlights the importance of anticipating public perception, especially in today’s highly connected and sensitive social environment.<br />

YouTube is turning pink: Times when logo redesigns failed to impress

<ul><li>Shashwat Das, Founder, almond branding shares a few learnings from the <keyword id="10678279" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="myntra-logo">Myntra logo</keyword> controversy. </li><li>He also mentions a few international logos and slogans that were not taken lightly by the audience. </li></ul>The brand Myntra is currently in news for the wrong reasons. Recently an NGO filed a complaint with the Police that the Myntra logo is offensive and derogatory towards women. <br /><br />When the Police approached Myntra for an explanation, instead of offering their side of the story, Myntra immediately agreed to change the logo without batting an eyelid! <br /><br />By agreeing to change its logo and to make it more “acceptable”, or let us call it “controversy-free”, Myntra made sure that it nipped the argument in the bud. While “consumer activism” and “consumer-mafia” as a phenomenon is definitely on the rise, brands too need to play their cards judiciously to avoid such unnecessary controversies. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />For a layman, this may just look like a small logo tinkering. But it has a lot of ramifications. The logo now needs to be changed across every media channel, packaging boxes, product labels, store fronts, in-store branding, and a host of other places. This not only means re-spending huge amount of money and effort, it also means that the previous investment, monetary or otherwise, now stands wasted. <br /><br />Personally, I never saw the logo in that light and in fact never came across anyone who found the logo suggesting something offensive. This is clearly a case of over-imaginative minds trying to find something or the other in everything. The sheer number of memes that come out post any event proves how wild people’s imaginations can run. But this is out of the control of brands. While brands need to be sensitive to consumer sentiments, and address them as much as possible, it can’t be reacting to every single out cry.<br /><br />While I don’t wish to get into the “rights” and “wrongs” of the logo and am not supporting or opposing Myntra’s decision to change, all I want to say is that thankfully Myntra is an established brand and also has deep pockets to support this unplanned rebranding activity. Imagine what would have happened if it was a small brand or a start-up here instead of Myntra. I am sure you would agree that by now the brand owner would be staring at an impending bankruptcy due to the enormous cost of rebranding. <br /><br />This brings us to the real issue at hand.<br /><br />For all those upcoming brands or start-ups that are still in their infancy, is there a lesson to be learnt from the Myntra logo episode? <br /><br />I believe there is. Read on. <br /><br />There are three major components of a brand that any brand owner aims to strengthen – the brand name, the logo unit and the slogan (if any). Let us see the learning one can draw from the Myntra episode on these three components. <br /><br /><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="The brand name" text="The brand name"><span data-til="noop">The brand name</span></cmsannotation><br /><br />In 1971, Ford launched its car named “Pinto” in Brazil. Surprisingly, the car failed to generate any telephonic enquiries, let alone showroom visits even after spending large sums. It was later discovered that in Brazilian slang, “Pinto” refers to small male genitals. Ford had no choice but to withdraw the car. <br /><br />Brand name should always be controversy-free. Gone are the days when brand nomenclature was easier and brand names were based on the name of their founders (Bata, Tata, Bose, Porsche, etc.). These days due to trademark unavailability of generic words as brand names, abstract or coined names are popular(Zomato, Swiggy, Ola, etc.). However, while you might have had the best of intentions while naming your brand, it might just mean something very funny or offensive in a new geography that your brand intends to enter. It is always advisable to do your research beforehand rather than feeling sorry and redoing the same exercise after a controversy. <br /><br /><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="The Logo unit" text="The Logo unit"><span data-til="noop">The Logo unit</span></cmsannotation><br /><br />It is often said that beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. When it comes to a logo unit, a controversy too lies in the minds of the beholder. Take a look at some of the controversial logos which were not taken lightly by the general audience. <br /><br /><ul><li>The Arlington Pediatric Centre’s logo (below) landed into controversy soon after it was unveiled in 2009. </li></ul><br /><br /><ul><li>The Institute of Oriental Studies had to withdraw this logo shortly after launch as it made a lot many people’s imagination run wild</li></ul><br /><br /><ul><li>This Logo of the Catholic Church’s Archdioscean Youth Club (displayed below) even won an award from the prestigeous Art Director’s Club of Los Angeles, but was withdrawn as people saw a lot more in it. </li></ul><br /><br /><ul><li>The Office of Government Commerce, a branch of US Treasury had to drop its horozontal logo when someone pointed out that the logo looks controversial when seen vertically. </li></ul><br /><br />Brand owners must be extra cautious while designing their logo units. The logo should be evaluated from all possible directions and also from different perspectives to avoid any controversies later on. Also, when it comes to rebranding, make sure that you talk to an adequately large number of customers and stakeholders before going ahead with the change. Just because you like the logo does not mean that the whole world will like it too! Also others might be able to see through a whole lot of things in your logo whch you might completely oversee as the above cases demonstrate.<br /><br /><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Slogans" text="Slogans"><span data-til="noop">Slogans</span></cmsannotation><br /><br />The third important pillar of the brand’s identity is its slogan. Slogans need to be crafted very carefully and with experts on board to avoid controversy especially when being translated in a different language. Here are some of the “slogans-gone-wrong” for you. <br /><br /><ul><li>When Parker launched its leak-proof pen it had a punch-line that read “It won’t leak in your pocket and embarrass you.” But Parker mistook the translation of embarrass as “embarazar” in Mexico and the meaning got changed to “It won’t leak in your pocket and make you pregnant.” </li><li>Pepsi had a slogan “It brings you back to life.” But when translated in Chinese, it read “It brings your ancestors back from the grave.”</li><li>Electrolux goofed up when it translated its slogan in English. When translated, it read “Nothing sucks like an Electrolux”. </li><li>Nokia launched its Lumia series across the world with much fanfare. Little did they know that Lumia when translated in Spanish meant a “prostitute.” </li></ul>Brands, especially start-ups and the aspirational ones, usually don’t get a second chance. Hence, it is recommended that they keep their eyes &amp; ears open to all possible ways in which their customers and the public at large will interpret these key brand elements. <br /><br />Remember, re-banding is not only a risky affair but is also a costly one. Avoiding such common mistakes at the beginning is the only way to grow your brand and make it bigger. <br />

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YouTube is turning pink: Times when logo redesigns failed to impress

Divyanshi Sharma

Here's what a brand expert learnt from the recent Myntra logo controversy

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