Comments on: Big Players (not) Using Trends

By: William Smith

William Smith — Fri, 26 Aug 2005 12:39:45 +0000

Personally, not many coporate big guns change their identity, due to many factors, such as Cost, and also just because they dont need to. Once youve established yourself with branding, then its recognisable everywhere, so if they wre to change it, it would be back to square one.

Look at McDonalds for instance, they still pretty much have the same branding.

As for rebranding, i dont think its appropriate, due to the fact that it will become harder and harder to recognise brand names.

Cheers.

By: aspiramedia

aspiramedia — Fri, 26 Aug 2005 15:21:09 +0000

I agree that cost is a big factor. I just wonder why the likes of Google and Yahoo don’t change the looks of their sites much. They rarely change those little details that can keep a site looking modern.

By: William Smith

William Smith — Fri, 26 Aug 2005 15:52:26 +0000

ill continue this little discussion on monday ;)

By: Carlos Bernal

Carlos Bernal — Tue, 06 Sep 2005 22:56:37 +0000

It’s interesting that a website about trends and fads is using 4 of the most common fads currently.

1. Gradient background.
2. Lower case titles (header graphic).
3. Ray-burst behind the logo.
4. The double-arrow (»).

By: aspiramedia

aspiramedia — Wed, 07 Sep 2005 08:45:43 +0000

Carlos,

Ironic isn’t it? :)

By: Wan Zafran

Wan Zafran — Thu, 08 Sep 2005 08:46:50 +0000

I think that it’s a good step for big players to not follow trends. They should set their own.

The costly issues associated with rebranding may be one of the hindering factors with regards to the stagnant trends that they adopt, however, I believe that this isn’t the only reason.

For example, sites like Yahoo! and Google are community-based. People have adjusted to, and feel most comfortable with a look - changing to something else takes people away from the comfort zone that they’re used to, and that’s not good.

By: aspiramedia

aspiramedia — Wed, 14 Sep 2005 16:54:11 +0000

Thanks Wan.

So fear of change may be stopping big companies following web trends too. Good point.

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 16 Sep 2005 11:31:37 +0000

Google and Yahoo! aren’t where they are today because of their logos or visual designs. They are there because they provide quality services satisfying their user needs. Their brands are powerful and well-known because of the success of their core businesses, not vice-versa. They don’t follow visual design trends because they don’t need to. They leave that to those who need the crutch of coolness to cover up their lack of anything interesting or useful to offer. While cutting-edge visual design can distinguish you from your competitors, it’s no substitute for quality content.