Xavier GraphicsThe Evolution of Well-Known Logos

July 25th, 2012

Posted by: Xavier

Posted In: Art, Branding, Design, Find of the Day, Logos

After our last article featuring the new PBS Off Books’ video on the Art of Logo Design, I got thinking about the history and the evolution of my favorite logos.

After a bit of searching, and a lead from our friends over at Onyx, I ended up stumbling upon some pretty cool images from Retire @ 21. The article contains examples of some logos’ past and their evolution to what we so very well know them as today.

Now, I may just be a ‘Graphic Design’ nerd, but I find the general similarities and obvious trends in all of the following logos’ evolution very interesting. New technology is part of the reason logos have undergone some dramatic evolutions over the years. But it’s mostly because these companies and their brands have changed over time.

This factor is a very important consideration: Don’t be Afraid of Change. If your logo looks out-dated due to past trends, modernization of your branding may be the change that you need to get your business back on the right track. A fresh ‘face’ of a company can have many important effects, including:

1. Improving customer confidence,

2. Increasing employee morale,

3. Enhancing your companies’ image,

4. Garnering greater trust,

5. and further proving your companies professionalism.

If you need to develop a successful brand or develop a lead generating website, come on by for
a cup of coffee and lets discuss you, your organization, and your product or service.

Apple Logo Evolution

The original logo was designed by Steve Jobs and Ronald Wayne and it depicted Isaac Newton sitting under the infamous apple tree. Then, Rob Janoff designed the first rainbow Apple logo with a bite out of it so it wouldn’t be recognized as another fruit.

Audi Logo Evolution

The four circles represent how Audi started as a merger of the four above companies.

BP Logo Evolution

BP’s logo was largely unchanged through its first 80 years until they introduced the Helios symbol in 2000 to represent their commitment to producing energy in all of its many forms.

Canon Logo Evolution

Cannon Logo Evolution

Their first camera was named, “Kwanon,” after the Buddhist goddess of mercy. The original logo was a picture of this goddess with 1000 arms and flames.

Ford Logo Evolution

The 1909 logo was created with Childe Harold Wills’ font that he originally developed for his business card.

IBM Logo Evolution

Both the current IBM and the third UPS logo were designed by the same guy, Paul Rand. He also created the logos for Enron, ABC, and Steve Jobs’ NeXT.

Mercedes Logo Evolution

The three pointed star represents their original intent to make vehicles in land, water, and sky.

Microsoft Logo Evolution

The Microsoft employees referred to the “O” in the green logo as “blibbet” and they even had a double cheeseburger in the company cafeteria that was called the “Blibbet Burger”.

Nokia Logo Evolution

As the oldest original logo in this list, it depicts an image of a fish because Fredrik Idestam founded the company as a wood pulp mill on the banks of the Tammerkoski Rapids.

Pepsi Logo Evolution

In 1941, Pepsi adopted the colors red, white, and blue to commemorate the war efforts of the United States.

Volkswagen Logo Evolution

VW Logo Evolution

I know what you’re thinking. Why does the original Volkswagen logo slightly resemble the Nazi symbol? Well, that’s because Hitler had a hand in founding the company. Naturally, Volkswagen phased out that part of the logo and stuck with the center.

The identity design website StockLogos presented a great selection of major company logos of the past, which are also much less recognized today, and compared them to their present logo design.