History of Popular Logos

October 20th, 2009 in Creative by Silve-green

We have been eyeing a lot of logos these days, some of them are even re-designed to suit the current trends to attract customers, shall we say young customers mostly? How a logo has been accepted 20 years ago, isn’t the same way a logo is looked upon now. It’s more of a brand projection, when before it was just an identification of a company. Now that doesn’t mean that all logos that go way back in time are not good designs.

The only reason you could possibly give for the transformation a logo goes through in time, is that the needs keep changing according to times. Would you like to see Isaac Newton under a tree fast asleep instead of the simple grey, bitten apple for a logo? Nope! we prefer simplistic art forms conveying simplistic ideas. Isn’t that what this generation is all about? Complex features presented to us in simplistic designs.

A look into the History of some Popular Logos of Our Times.

Baskin – Robbins

These two logos were in use prior to the one currently used. They were designed by Carson –Roberts advertising agency in 1953, while the current one is designed by Ogilvy & Mather. The pink, brown polka dots and the classic type were incorporated in them.

The importance of the number 31 is used in all its logos indicates the number of flavours they served worldwide, though they now serve a lot more delicious flavours. The Baskin – Robbins actually started with their very own Individual Ice-Cream Parlours called Burt’s Ice Cream and Snowbird Ice Cream respectively. The latter one served 21 flavours and later when the two companies merged it became Baskin – Robbins, after the founders Burt Baskin and Irv Robbins, and they brought the flavours to 31. We can see this number being emphasized in all their logos. The current logo features the number 31 so creatively fitted with its intials ‘B’ and ‘R’. The font has been transformed from Serif to a San Serif, making it fun & interesting than the boring straight Serif ones. The colour pink stands for the pink spoon given to customers when tasting samples.

Nestle

Nestle is one of the biggest brand known worldwide. It dates back to the 18th century when it started with powdered milk & later Nescafe, some of the popular products of nestle. A logo you could say hasn’t changed much from its former one, but with a touch of simplicity in it.

The name Nestle comes from the founders name Henry Nestle, which means ”Little Nest” in German. He started off with the logo on the left, in 1868, which was also his family emblem.

In 1868, he redesigned the logo with a nest and a few birds on it, symbolically ”The Little Nest”. He got a 15 year Patent in 1868 and when he retired it was registered by new owners of his company in 1875.

In 1938, the logo was re-branded from an Iconic Logo form to Combined Mark logo, by incorporating the text ”Nestle” on it. The shading was simplified from the former one.

In 1966, the logo was even more simplified and much clearer.

In 1988, the worm in the mother bird’s beak was removed and the fledglings became two instead of three. It is said that it was meant to better illustrate the activities of the company, no longer active only in nutrition, and to reflect the average modern family of two children.

In 1995, the logo was even more simplified with new meaning attached to it, like the tree represents an Oak and the birds thrushes.

It leaves me wondering, in future would they ever go for a re-branding? They do have a very strong identity, would they let go of it for a new modern one?

Animal Planet

The Animal Planet network decided to re-brand its identity by removing the earth & the elephant & came back with a loud bang of words. The words are made bolder & stronger & simplified. It followed three shades of green, to symbolize jungle like. To add to the flavour, the letter ”M” is turned around, to pose like a sleeping animal or a fallen animal, could it be?

The new Logo made it sappearance on February 3rd 2008. The changes were done to match with their new shows of Wilderness & to attract older generation of people as well. Its said that they are even thinking about, animals peeking from behind the letters, but its not materialized yet. The designers were asked to bring about a look of playfulness, instinctive, emotional, immersive and entertaining features.

Animal Planet is one of my all time Favourite channels. I personally like the new logo and was excited when i was its appearance on TV.

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