This article talks about subliminal messages found in your 5 iconic company logos.
Subliminal messages are signals for communication that go below the normal level of perception. It is now common knowledge and yet has remained an elusive and vague concept. While it has been overstated by the popular media regarding its effectiveness, its practical use is still controversial.
Applications of imperceptible stimuli have typically supported the subtlety of a message. Analysis of action priming has shown that invisible stimuli will solely trigger actions a receiver of the message plans to perform anyway. However, the agreement of imperceptible electronic messaging remains uncorroborated by alternative analysis. Most actions may be triggered subliminally, given that the person is already ready to perform a selected action.
Is it illegal? That is definitely based on the content of the message. Let’s take an example of this controversial subliminal message.
Husker Du: Husker Du is one of the first to make use of this type of message. Ironically their message wasn’t really subtle. A single frame that read “GET IT” was seen in its early ads. The incident prompted the FCC to declare that subliminal messaging in TV ads was “contrary to the public interest” and forbade the practice. The board game is long gone, yet the incident has secured it’s place in the advertising history.
Nobody likes feeling cheated or manipulated. Hence subliminal messages don’t really work if the viewer isn’t planning that action. It can’t brainwash you to buy the product, neither can it make you into a consumer robot. So what works? Let’s see four company logos that used it to add value to their brand.
FedEx:
If you look closely, the E and X come together to form an arrow. It goes with their brand as it signifies speed, something that’s much appreciated in delivery.
Amazon:
Amazon logo is pretty subtle. The arrow, which might look like a smile, actually signifies something. Notice how the arrow goes from A-Z, indicating the Amazon provides a range of products. Pretty clever, huh?
Baskin-Robbins
The Baskin-Robbins logo is quite common, but did you notice the subliminal message it contains? Look at the highlighted pink portion; it signifies the number 31. That’s the number of flavours it offers. Sneaky!
Toyota:
Did you know there’s anything more to the iconic logo? The Toyota logo does not need any further explanation!
Conclusion
Subliminal messages should not be manipulating or using shady techniques to influence the viewer, because, frankly it doesn’t work. Subliminal messages should add value to the brand. It should act like an inside joke which makes the discovery better and help the viewer remember it better.
Hope you liked this article! Comment if you have any other examples of such logos with hidden meanings. Thank you, and stay tuned for more articles from UP Studio!
