When something is ‘iconic’ it means it is widely recognized and known. Its reach is far spread and many people throughout the world would recognize the brand name or person. So how exactly does something become iconic? And what is the difference between a branded icon, and a living icon?
To be an iconic brand it is important to stand out. Many brands become well known and recognizable through a certain design that they showcase and use everywhere. The classic Nike swoosh, or the Pixar lamp are both designs that have stood the test of time and become known to represent their given brands. For a design to become iconic, it has to have a logo that it is known for which is simple yet intriguing so anyone who sees the image knows the brand it is connected to.
When it comes to celebrities, Iconic is a word that tends to be overused. All famous people will be referred to as ‘icons’ who will be known forever. But what really, truly makes the switch between someone famous and someone iconic? Stephane de Roussan explains in her article, “The word icon can be somewhat subjective. I mean, yes there is the official definition as defined by the dictionary, but who I perceive to be an icon could be vastly different to a 70 year old grandmother in El Salvador.” I believe that iconic influences of media can differ for everyone based on a person’s age, ethnicity, and where they live. For someone to be iconic, they have to do more than just be famous; they have to stand out and really last in people’s memories as being the best, or most intriguing, in what they do.
Most of the time, living icons that we think of are movie stars such as Marilyn Monroe or famous sports players like Cristiano Renaldo. While those are incredible icons for their respective jobs, as Katherine Tobin says, “ I believe that what it means to be iconic is to have a defining feature that makes you well known, for better or for worse.” Tobin also uses the example of Malala Yousavzai, who is an advocate for women's rights; to show that not all icons have to be famous movie stars. People like her who have stood up for important causes can also be icons for millions of people.
Overall, the definition of what an ‘icon’ is not easily pinned down. There are many iconic brands that thrive off of a recognisable logo or image, using it over and over in advertisements and branding until it becomes associated with their name. People can also become iconic when their influence spreads outside of a small sphere and they become well known, talked about, and influential to people all over the world.
Works Cited
Rossan, de Stephane. “What makes an icon? It’s more than just talent.” Linkedin. Published
September 15, 2015, https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-makes-icon-its-more-than-just-talent-stephane-de-roussan
Tobin, Katherine. “What makes someone iconic?” Portsmouth Point, December 01, 2013,
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