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Jan 21, 2024 · This article will explore 15 of the most iconic logos ever created. We'll examine what makes them memorable, their history, and their impact. Understanding what elevates a logo to iconic status inspires designing impactful branding. What Makes a Logo Iconic? What transforms an ordinary logo into a beloved icon? There are several key factors:
- Famous Brand
The most famous thing about Kellogg’s is its iconic logo,...
- Famous Brand
- 1900 – 1909
- 1910-1919
- 1920 – 1929
- 1930 – 1939
- 1940 – 1949
- 1950 – 1959
- 1960 – 1969
- 1970 – 1979
- 1980 – 1989
- 1990 – 1999
Eastman Kodak logo
The original Eastman Kodak logo isn’t the most impressively designed. But, it is one of the earliest examples of the now-standard, classic monogram-in-a-circle logo style. This logo was first revealed in 1907. But, it was replaced in 1935 with a very different design. Kodak’s logo has gone through several evolutions since 1907. And, today, Kodak is known for its iconic red and yellow abstract “K” logo. But, their original monogram logo within a circle is almost prescient in its modernity. The...
Ford Motor Company logo
The Ford Motor Company’s first logo, which debuted in 1903, featured a beautiful art nouveau borderframing their company name in a serif block typography. The art nouveau features were modern and on-trend for the time. In 1907 Ford rebranded and revealed their second logo. It’s the origin of the logo we all know and recognize today. And, it has a fun, brand-specific origin story. The script we’ve all come to associate with Ford is actually a streamlined version of Ford’s own signature. While...
Mercedes-Benz logo
The Mercedes-Benz logo is simple, memorable, and instantly recognizable. It was one of the few logos that I could identify even as a child. And, this timeless design made its first appearance in 1909. The logo features a three-pointed star inside of a circle. The star was inspired by a similar starthat founder Gottlieb Daimler drew over his home on a postcard he sent to his wife. In the message, he explained that the star would shine over his business and bring prosperity. Eventually, the thr...
BMW logo
In 1917 BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke) was founded. The young business’s logo was registered by Franz Josef Popp that same year. The logo features a black ring surrounding a checkered pattern in blue and white – the Bavarian Free State colors. BMW’s initials adorn the top of the black ring. It was illegal to use Bavaria’s national colors for commercial purposes. Over the years, the logo was emblazoned on all of BMW’s company products – even if it wasn’t used in advertising until over 10 years...
UPS logo
Consumers worldwide eagerly await the arrival of the brown vans with the shield on the side. United Parcel Service delivers packages across the globe and is one of the top delivery services today. In addition to providing superior parcel delivery service, they also act as a logo role model. As you can see above, the UPS logo has evolved a great deal from 1916 to today. But, can you spot the one element that has stayed the same? The UPS logo has always featured a shield. And in the years since...
Chanel logo
The iconic Chanel logo is one of the best-known logos today. It appears on bags, jewelry, shoes, and belts… and, of course, on Chanel garments themselves. It’s a lofty status symbol that the haves love to flaunt while the have-nots peer on with envy. Founder Coco Chanel designed the two interlocking Cs logo in 1925. It was inspired by the decorative windowsat the Chateau de Cremat in Nice. The logo is one of the earliest examples – and certainly the most famous – of “letterplay.” Letterplay l...
Columbia logo
Columbia’s Grecian torchbearer logo is both visually striking and steeped in history. Columbia was a codename used to represent the United States in secret publicationsof the British parliament debates in the 18th century. This portrayal of Columbia closely resembles the caryatids (columns carved to resemble Grecian women) that support the southern porch of the Acropolis. And, she is draped in an American flag while holding a torch aloft in her right hand. Her neoclassical influence is clear...
Volkswagon logo
Did you know that the Volkswagon logo we know today began its life surrounded by a swastika? The business was actually the brainchild of Adolf Hitler, who wanted an accessible vehicle for Germany’s people. Thus, Volkswagon was born. In keeping with its roots, the original logo included a curved, stylized representation of a swastika. However, the nationalist ideology associated with Volkswagon’s brand did not serve the business well. After World War II, the company floundered – no one wanted...
Rosie the Riveter logo
Rosie the Riveter is a bit of an anomaly on this list. She not reallya logo, per se. But, Rosie was one of the most effective branding mascots in history. And, she’s had a tremendous influence on logos to follow. So, we’re gonna give her a pass and include her anyway. Rosie was the face of the American working woman during World War II. She was the face of an incredibly successful campaign that endeavored to motivate women to enter the working world for what was probably the first time in the...
Frigidaire logo
Frigidaire has been a trusted brand in refrigeration for the past 100 years. But, their most unique and memorable logo didn’t appear until 1955. To this day, it acts as a visual time machine that can transport viewers back to that era. But why does this simple script logo have that power? In 1955, the nation’s fascination with space travel was heating up. As Denise Ngo of Popular Science explains: This awareness impacted every arena of design. That includes typefaces and logos. So, “futuristi...
NASA logo
When you think of famous logos, you may not immediately think of NASA. NASA’s first logo (fondly called the “meatball logo”) features an element that has become one of the most ubiquitous logo design shapes. The original NASA insignia (in use from 1959 – 1975) features a round blue planet (or “meatball”). It also features stars, a red V-shaped vector representing aeronautics, and a slender white ellipsemeant to indicate space travel. The official NASA seal (a sort of dress-up logo for special...
IBM logo
IBM is an example of a company that has truly reinvented itself to keep up with the times. From its first incarnation as the International Time Recording Company (1889), IBM has discarded old technology and adopted the new. For a complete history of the business, click here. The IBM logo has followed suit and changed many times over the years. But, in 1966, famed logo designer Paul Randlanded on the design that would become famous. IBM’s iconic logo consists of bold block letters made up of 1...
Carolyn Davidson originally designed the famous Nike “Swoosh” in 1971. Only a student at the time, Davidson was paid a mere $35 for the design. But, Nike founder Phil Knight never forgot her contribution. Davidson continued to work with Nike and was awarded shares of the company when it went public in 1983. Davidson’s famous design was inspired by the brand’s namesake “Nike” (Greek goddess of victory). Nike was known for her wings, which allowed her to fly over battlefields safely. Davidson v...
Apple logo
The very first Apple logo represents a very different brand than the Apple that we know today. Apple’s original logo – which featured Sir Isaac Newton about to be beaned on the head by an apple – resembled a print engraving. It looked old-fashioned, fussy, and looked more like an antique shop logo than a technology logo. It was only in use for a year. Co-founder Steve Jobs quickly saw that the original logo’s old-fashioned vibe was a poor fit, and Apple’s visual brand changed course. Graphic...
MTV logo
The MTV logo made its debut in 1981. The “M” was yellow with blue shading, and the “TV” was red. MTV was determined to show that they were a new kind of business and a new kind of experience. So, in keeping with the hip reputation and visual celebration that MTV wanted to project, they continually changed their logo’s colors and patterns. The shape remained consistent to ensure it was easy to identify, but the MTV logo became a kaleidoscope of changing patterns and color. MTV’s television med...
World Wildlife Fund
The World Wildlife Fund’s panda logo is the only non-profit logo to appear on this list. But, it’s by no means a token inclusion. The WWF panda is a well-known and influential example of a negative space logo. The panda featured in the WWF’s logo was inspired by Chi Chi – a giant panda living at the London Zoo in 1961when the non-profit was founded. While the logo has remained very similar to the original, it has been updated over the years. The most significant change occurred in 1986 when t...
Windows logo
Microsoft’s Windows launched in 1985. But, it wasn’t until the 90s that the tech giant really started to take off. In 1992 Windows 3.1 launched. And, the now-familiar Window’s logo made its first appearance. The iconic logo is a colorful representation of a window. In fact, they may have been inspired by Apple’s successful logo that featured a similarly literal logo mark featuring lots of colors. Over the years, the Window’s logo has gone through several evolutions. But, the most significant...
FedEx logo
Once you’ve seen the arrow in the FedEx logo, it’s impossible to unsee the arrow in the FedEx logo. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, take a peek at the white space between the “E” and the “x” above. Go ahead – I’ll wait… That little arrow reveals a hidden depth that elevates this otherwise straightforward typeface logo. FedEx transports packages. An arrow suggesting movement is a perfect accompaniment to their brand name. This incarnation of the Federal Express logo debuted in 1994....
- Paul Rand. One of the most iconic logo designers of all time and was born in 1914. Paul Rand started with a job setting the page layout at Apparel Arts, which is now GQ, and went on to take a position at Esquire Cornett magazines.
- Peter Saville. Peter Saville is one of the most prominent art and graphic designers when it comes to designing record sleeves. Heavily inspired by Jan Tsachold, the typographer behind the icon Sabon typeface, Peter has worked with prominent names.
- Massimo Vignelli. Arguably the most iconic logo designer on this list, the design firm Massimo Vignelli is almost legendary in the design world. Creating logos and brand designs for major names like IBM, Knoll, Bloomingdale’s, and American Airlines to name a few.
- Ruth Ansel. Born in 1938, Ruth Ansel was one of the first prominent female graphic designers to direct a major magazine. Hailing from Brooklyn New York she started out working alongside Bob Cato at Colombia records.
And more than 50 years after its introduction, the Swoosh remains one of the most famous logos in the world. The Swoosh nails it when it comes to design, says Ayzit. It’s a perfect example of a logo that’s simply designed and easy to recognize.
- Nike. Nike’s swoosh, designed by Carolyn Davidson, is one of the most iconic logos in the world, literally. via Wikimedia Commons. The swoosh mimics the wings of Nike, the goddess of victory in Greek mythology and the company’s namesake.
- Chanel. Chanel is a fashion label synonymous with luxury, elegance and the founder’s Parisian identity, hence her initials interlocking into the logo we recognize today.
- McDonald’s. The McDonald’s logo, also known as the “Golden Arches,” was inspired by the real golden arches that were part of the fast food chain’s original restaurant design.
- Tesla. This now-iconic logo is more than a modern T, via Wikimedia Commons. The company that made an undeniable impact on one the largest industries in the world is unsurprisingly futuristic looking and at first glance, just a cool-looking “T.”
Nov 1, 2023 · You don't have to love Starbucks to know that its iconic logo design is hugely effective. The mermaid design is unique and its bold lines, flow-through and use of a single, distinctive colour have made it an instantly recognisable symbol – and an alluring siren song for caffeine lovers in some 84 countries around the world.
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1 day ago · The most famous thing about Kellogg’s is its iconic logo, which has undergone changes over time but has always maintained a unique visual identity. The Kellogg’s logo consists of the words “Kellogg’s” in bold red font with a stylised fanciful squiggle underlining.
