Graphics: Reading two

• While reading the section from understanding comics i learned about how a person, place, or thing can be broken down to a simple shape and read more personal, faster and even more interesting. In creating a mark or symbol where is the line drawn on simplicity vs. a realistic appearance?
• One of the largest struggles is making a mark that wont become outdated. How do you design a symbol that will last? 

This section of reading opened up my eyes to simplicity. I never realized how often i view symbols that are broken down to shapes but read as something much more. In this way i feel as though a designer must have a lot of research before they go about trying to create a symbol.