Sometimes logos are a brand’s first impression, so they play a huge role in creating a perception for customers. Even without your brand name, some of the top famous logos are instantly recognizable and have become so entwined in popular culture that they are still used as inspiration for designers worldwide. Let’s look at the history behind these 10 famous logos.
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1. Adidas
In 1967, the design of the noted three Stripe logo was started by Adidas, but this was a concept started by founder Adi Dassler in the 1940s to lend some support to Adidas’ athletic shoes. The now famous Adidas Trefoil logo first appeared in 1971 where the stripes merge into one.
In the early 1990s, the company updated the logo to a more modern display. Our current design includes three stripes angled upwards, each representing the brand’s journey forward and growth.
2. Gucci
They also include Giuseppi Guccio’s initials (the founder of Gucci) and are formed by the intertwined ‘G’ of the brand. Guccio began his career as a porter in Paris after which his love of the luggage of wealthy travelers inspired him to open his first leather goods store in 1921 in Florence.
It was in the 1960s under the direction of Aldo Gucci, Guccio’s son, that the logo we see today started. The interlocking G’s have remained the hallmark of the luxury brand, though they have changed slightly.
3. Unilever
Those symbols are a dove, a palm tree and arrows and they are the logo of Unilever, one of its core values and its product areas. They were introduced in 2004 as part of a new rebranding to simplify and modernize the company’s identity, but still acknowledge the company’s diverse portfolio.
4. Disney
The looping font used for Disney’s name can also be seen as belonging to a whimsical font that is also very similar to Germany’s Neuschwanstein Castle, in that it resembles the stylized Cinderella’s Castle which can be found on the logo. The castle addition was originally introduced by Disney in the mid-1980s, to represent Disney’s expansion into theme parks and resorts. Over time, the logo has changed from color to style — including a rainbow version to commemorate Pride Month — but the simplicity of the icon has remained constant.
5. Starbucks
In 1971, Starbucks was still just a small coffee roaster in Seattle, when it introduced the Starbucks logo — featuring what is also known as a twin-tailed mermaid or siren. The original logo was simple, brown, with no text. The siren has morphed into a thing of tackiness over the years, though the green and white color scheme introduced in the late 1980s has become an inescapable brand element.
6. Wendy’s
The Wendy’s logo was the dream child of Wendy, founded in 1969 by Dave Thomas by way of the graphic of a red-haired girl; the logo was inspired by Thomas’s daughter. In 1983, a modern redesign occurred throughout. The red-haired girl also ‘held’ the wordmark in 2012, making it a refreshed but familiar identity for the fast-food chain.
7. Olive Garden
The logo for Olive Garden illustrates the brand name in green with a green olive branch above so that the name stands for the warmth comfort and hospitality of the ingredients the brand provides. The logo has been through changes, and the latest update in 2014 kept what is (mostly) iconic imagery while simplifying the design.
8. Ralph Lauren
With the logo of Ralph Lauren – a polo player on horseback, it shows that this brand relates to luxury, exclusivity, and the exclusive sport of polo. First appearing in 1971 on a Ralph Lauren men’s shirt chest, Ralph’s logo has since become one of fashion’s most recognizable symbols.
9. IBM
IBM currently uses a logo in which their brand name is in a striped, horizontal pattern, this design was created by graphic designer Paul Rand in 1947. The stylish little piece also symbolizes IBM’s dedication to pioneering new approaches. The logo has changed slightly with time, but the same striped pattern is part of IBM’s identity.
10. BMW
Blue and white circular elements characterize BMW’s logo: they represent Bavarian colors taken from the Bavarian flag. The logo isn’t supposed to look like a propeller but instead pays homage to the Bavarian origins of the company. The design has been virtually unchanged, an evolution of an original that hasn’t compromised its origins in the name of fame.
Each logo is famous and a symbol of their respective brands, and together, they each have a story. The illustrations of the evolution of these logos demonstrate how careful design can contribute to building a brand identity.
