I opened up my “recent files” tab and stumbled on a screenshot of an old logo concept that was ultimately set aside for a different direction. It felt like finding an object after it had fallen behind the couch, unwanted, not even missed. But then I felt a renewed respect for this little sketch, it sent me down a path of organizing a folder on my computer to archive all my rejected logos. Some made me cringe, while others filled me with pride, tinged with the disappointment that they were never used.

We've all been there. After hours of brainstorming, sketching, and refining, we present our logo designs to the client, only to have them rejected. It's a tough pill to swallow, but it's also a reality of the design process. However, these rejected logos aren't just failed attempts - they hold value and potential for learning and growth. Here's why we should appreciate them and what to do with them.

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Learning from Rejection

Every rejected logo is an opportunity to learn. It can highlight areas where our design didn't meet the brief or resonate with the client. By understanding why a logo was rejected, we can gain insight into our design process and make improvements for future projects.

Appreciating the Journey

Rejected logos represent the journey we took to arrive at the final design. They are stepping stones that helped shape and refine the chosen logo. Every idea, good or bad, contributes to the creative process and pushes us towards the final outcome. Appreciating this journey can help us see the value in all our work, not just the successful outcomes.

Repurpose and Reuse

Just because a logo was rejected for one project doesn't mean elements of it won't work for another client. Just be mindful of how you repurpose the work. Design elements or ideas from rejected logos can be a great jumping off point for future projects.

Client Feedback

Rejected logos can be a valuable source of client feedback. Understanding why a client rejected a logo can give you insight into their tastes, preferences, and expectations. This can be invaluable information for future projects with the same client or similar industries.

Empathy and Honesty

Sharing rejected logos fosters empathy and honesty in the design world, especially on social media. It helps debunk the myth of constant success and counters feelings of imposter syndrome. By showing our failures alongside successes, we reveal the truth of the design process - it's a winding path, not a straight line. This transparency allows others to see that rejection is common, even for experienced designers, and encourages a culture of mutual support. Let's value and share our process, not just our end result or ego.

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Ultimately rejected logos are more than just 'misses.' They're valuable tools for learning, growth, empathy, and future inspiration. So next time you have a logo rejected, don't discard it - appreciate it, learn from it, and see how it can add value to your design journey.

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