Do you ever wonder why/how you recognize a brand by a simple shape, letter or color? It is very much like muscle memory. As you repeat something or are repetitively exposed to something, it becomes embedded in your brain. Upon seeing that something, your brain associates it with an emotion or thought.

Why? That’s the effect of great marketing. So, what does that mean anyway?

mar·ket·ing : the action or business of promoting and selling products or services, including market research and advertising.

Great marketing has incredible effects. Have you ever been able to recall a brand after your senses have been exposed to a visual (like a logo), a sound (like a jingle) and, even in some cases, a scent (like the waft of Cinnabon cinnamon rolls)? Some of the greatest brands in the world have such great marketing that they are recognized by just a single color or shape.

Below are some of those brands, each with the ability to be recognized by their distinct shape or color.

How well does great marketing work on you? How well do you remember elements of a logo? Can you recognize it from the color? The shape? How about a distinct letter from the company’s wordmark?

Have you been exposed to great marketing? Take our quiz!

Keep a tally of how many you get right (see answers below the graphic.) GOOD LUCK!

Let us know how you did!

Write how many brand identities you got right in the comments section below. What were the ones you missed? If you’re interested in what makes a good company logo, check out this post I wrote earlier in the year.