I’m pretty sure we’ve done this in the pas, but I came across n example, so I’m reviving it.
We’ve all seen “motivational” posters, meant to inspire us. Sometimes they hang these in break rooms and the like.
One place I worked in had one that looked like this: a row of light bulbs on wires, hanging at the same height. One was pulled away from the others, and lit, while the others were dark. The intent was clearly that this one lit light bulb would swing into the ohers, like a ball in a “Newton’s Cradle” desk sert, and would "inspire them, making the rest of them light up:
Only my mind worked out the more likely result – the swinging light bulb would smash into the nearest bulb and both of them would shatter. Maybe the entire line of them.
Yeah, I know what they were trying to say. But I couldn’t get the idea that this was a destructive and stupid act out of my mind. In the real world, you don’t light up another bulb by placing it next to a lit one, even if it’s not swinging.
Another thing I’ve seen used seriously as a logo is a set of three interlocking gears, used for mechanica engineering organizations or companies, like this:
In reality, of course, three gears put together in such a way will simply not move – no matter how you figure it, the gear teeth are trying to move in two different directions simultaneously. If you use this as a symbol, it’s clear that you don’t understand how gears work, at all.
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Another example is the “fouled anchor” frequently used as insignia by varois navies.In this case a chain or cable is wrapped around the anchor, providing a visually interesting and pleasing image, but presenting a situation to be avoided in real life at all costs. But it looks cool!
(See post 