Logos That Stand the Test of Time: Learning from Classic Examples

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A well-designed logo makes a company instantly recognized. Even so, some of the most recognizable firms in the world can’t help but regularly redesign their logos.

This is frequently a matter of habit — a marketing gimmick to suggest that anything has changed or that the brand is still relevant’ in the contemporary day. However, certain iconic logos hold such power that trying to alter them would require a very daring or dumb person.

Here are some logo designs that have been around for a long time, with only the occasional small change, yet still have an effect today.

Twinings Tea:

The Twinings Tea logo was created in 1787 and has been used continuously since 1887, a remarkable 131 years. 

The understated, all-black style has proven so eternally fashionable that it hasn’t undergone even minor alterations for over a century. It even holds the title of being the world’s oldest continuously used corporate logo.

Lyle’s Golden Syrup:

Tate & Lyle’s status as the oldest brand in the world was recognized by Guinness World Records in 2007. And Lyle’s Golden Syrup, one of its most recognizable products, has been using the same label on its tins for over 130 years.

Golden syrup was created in 1883, and it wasn’t until 1904, with the ‘lion and bees’ tin design, that it became famous.

The layout may look a little odd to someone who didn’t go to Sunday school. It alludes to a biblical tale in which Samson journeyed in pursuit of a wife.

He killed a lion on the way, and when he passed the same location on the way back, he saw that a swarm of bees had built a honeycomb in the carcass.

Samson later turned this into a riddle: “Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth, sweetness”.

Apple:

Last but not least, we have Apple, whose logo is arguably the most recognizable of the early twenty-first century.

The Apple logo hasn’t altered since it was created in 1976, and the fact that the brand name is represented in the design greatly enhances its capacity to stick in people’s minds. 

The emblem is also accompanied by a sinister yet fascinating mythology. It appears to be a memorial to Alan Turing, the guy who laid the groundwork for computers.

Campbell’s Soup:

Founded in 1869, the Campbell’s Soup Company remains a mainstay in American culture and cuisine, and its products are distributed in 120 other nations.

The label was originally orange and blue, but in 1898, Herberton L. Williams, who later rose to treasurer, comptroller, and assistant general manager, witnessed a football game in which Cornell wore red and white jerseys. This inspired him to change the label. He recommended using the color scheme for the soup cans because he was so taken with it.

The logo’s Campbell script typeface should closely resemble Joseph Campbell’s original signature. The usage of handwriting typefaces, focusing on handwritten recipes, was meant to appeal to the time’s housewives.

Adidas:

Everybody believes this sports company and its logo emphasizes the first lesson that a logo should not be literal. A company is not required to include a commodity in the design of its logo just because they trade in that item.

Adolf Dassler, the company’s founder, first sketched the Adidas logo, often known as the Trefoil emblem, which first appeared on their running shoes in 1949.

The three stripes, which have come to represent the brand, had no specific significance when they were first used to promote it in the 1940s. =

When Adidas began manufacturing casual clothing and leisurewear in the 1970s, the logo developed greater clarity and eventually took on its recognizable three-leaf design.

The Americas, Europe/Africa, and Asia are represented by the three leaves, which really have a secret significance that you would only understand if you were informed about it.

The company’s logo was significantly enhanced in the 1990s, evolving into the one we currently recognize and use as a standard on all of its sporting items. Online information on the trademark registration procedure is also available.

Even though the Adidas logo is not overtly loud, it is distinctive. This tells us that sometimes, the right course of action is not immediately apparent. 

Cadbury:

A perfect example of a business with a color attached to its name is Cadbury! The corporation trademarked the Pantone 2865c hue in its logo to stop competitors from copying it. 

The pattern is based on William Cadbury’s signature and is relatively straightforward. This logo shows us that in some circumstances, keeping with something unique and important to the company’s history may assist in building recognition and brand loyalty.

Although the design originally debuted in 1921, it wasn’t until 1952 that it was applied to all their goods. Since then, it has undergone several modifications and little tweaks, but the fundamental characteristics of the logo—including its uniquely purple color—have not changed.

By including the founder’s signature in the logo, the business is given a hospitable, relevant, and personal touch that encourages people to trust it. Coca-Cola and Disney Studios are two such businesses that have successfully used this strategy in litigation.

Shell Oil:

The Shell logo has undergone a few ‘facelifts’ over the years, but it has never strayed from its fundamental idea — a shell! In 1915, color was introduced to the design, and throughout the emblem’s development, the company has maintained the red and yellow tones. 

The most amazing aspect of Shell’s logo is how frequently it is used now without the brand name, demonstrating how absolutely iconic it has become.

Nike:

Similar to Shell, the Nike logo has evolved over time while maintaining its basic design. The classic “Swoosh” design was developed by Nike in 1971 for about $35, maybe the biggest return on investment in logo design history! 

The swoosh imagery, created to represent motion, is so powerful that it can now stand alone without the brand name words to support it. It’s one of my favorites since it evokes a sense of mobility and advancement and because I’m a bit of a sports addict.

Conclusion: 

The main lesson from this is that, in some circumstances, having a subtle logo may be quite beneficial to the brand’s image. 

For instance, even though the Amazon logo has been there for over 17 years, occasionally, people fail to see its grin or the fact that it is an arrow. However, the logo’s goal still needs to be achieved.

In actuality, the reverse is true. Like the arrow formed by the negative space in the FedEx logo, subliminal messaging helps a company communicate its message without being overt or evident. This shows that success may occasionally be achieved through subtlety.

Any decent logo design service in USA will be familiar with the most memorable logos and will be able to help you in creating your own memorable logo.