Ah, logos. The cornerstone of a company’s brand identity. They can be so iconic and memorable, but have you ever looked at one of your favorite brands, and wondered, “Has the logo always looked like this?” The truth is no. Logos grow and change over time just like everything else. Sometimes, the changes are subtle and go unnoticed by the public, while others receive complete and drastic overhauls. Let’s take a look at a couple of popular brands and see just how much (or how little) their logos have transformed over time.
The pop. The fizz. There’s nothing better than an ice-cold glass of Coca-Cola. And for over 130 years, Coke has been delivering not only a refreshing beverage but a classic, rock-solid brand. As you can see, the Coca-Cola logo hasn’t changed much since its creation in 1887. Sure there’s been a few minor tweaks here and there, but overall the look has remained the same.
What has changed are the forms of advertising surrounding the logo. From antique signs to TV commercials to today’s social and digital ads, each campaign and strategy is different. Each has its own themes and graphics. But what holds true are the company's values and, of course, the classic Coca-Cola logo.
Since its inception in 1971, the Starbucks logo has undergone its fair share of changes. However, through every iteration, one thing has always remained the same, the Siren. As you can see, she has continued to be the focus of every Starbucks logo.
As Starbucks has continued to grow over the years, so has its logo. The idea that produced the original 1971 logo is still very much relevant today. However, the current logo is equipped to handle a more modern world where the Siren can clearly stand on her own.
In the world of sports, there are few logos quite as iconic as that of Nike. In fact, the simple Swoosh is so well known that the company will often drop its name entirely. However, it took some time for the logo to get to this point. As you can see below, the Nike logo went through a couple of iterations before settling on the minimal version, we’ve come to know and love.
Sources: https://www.nike.com/a/never-done-leaving-a-mark-swoosh https://fabrikbrands.com/nike-logo-history-and-evolution/
As you can see all logos experience change. Some for different reasons than others, but it’s important to know that it’s okay to accept change. To know that what worked 10, even 20 years ago, may not be the best fit in today’s world. Don’t be afraid to take a good hard look at your logo and even your brand and ask yourself if a change is needed. Interested in updating your logo or doing a complete logo redesign? Let us know! We’d love to talk you through our process and help you find the next great version of your logo.
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