>pointless SVG image
Why aren't we all eating inexpensive gruel instead of "pointless" food? Same reason.

It's good to have a little color/flavor/spice in life.

Ah yes because bog standard corporate design is how you add color/flavor/spice in life.

Judging by the reaction to one SVG, it's the most they could do! Can you imagine if it was some art nouveau project instead?

Good for them, and it's still better than nothing. Without it the page would almost looked broken it's so bare.