The secrets behind famous logos
Have you ever wondered why logos have a particular design element, color or type style?
Photography source for photo above: www.creativebloq.com
Every logo design should have a reason behind its color selection. And here are three great examples to prove it.
While doing some research, I stumbled across a great resource to feed your curiosity to the secrets behind famous logos. DesignHill, created a wonderful interactive website that gives us insight on 70 of the world’s biggest logo designs. I obviously loved the concentration on the significance of color for these brands. Hence, the inspiration for this post. And after reading this, your curiosity may be quenched… until you feel the urge to return to our blog for more insight! But hey, you can still use these facts as great office conversation, or better yet, inspiration for your own developing brand.
subway
Subway uses green and yellow as their main colors to convey a specific message and meaning.
[mp_span_inner col=“3”]
[mp_image id=“5368” size=“full” link_type=“custom_url” link=”#” target=“false” caption=“false” align=“left” margin=“none,20,none,none”]
[/mp_span_inner]
Green creates consumer awareness towards healthy eating — making Subway a leader in their industry. To support this life-style and enhance the benefits of eating healthy, yellow was used to relate to happiness, joy and optimism.
MasterCard
Another great example is MasterCard and their interlacing red and yellow-orange circles.
[mp_span col=“3”]
[mp_image id=“5366” size=“full” link_type=“custom_url” link=”#” target=“false” caption=“false” align=“center” margin=“none,20,none,none”]
[/mp_span]
While their brand guidelines list yellow as their color, that particular yellow isn’t a pure, primary color, yellow. It has a percentage of magenta (based CMYK values) , that gives it a yellow-orange tone. By using this tone, they incorporate the meaning behind both colors. In other words, MasterCard embraces the characteristics of a pure yellow — joy, intellect, optimism. And the characteristics of an orange hue — creativity, uniqueness, stimulation.
Let’s not forget about the use of red in their left circle. Red is used to trigger meanings of passion, power, excitement. Together, these colors support their brand’s message by making consumers feel these emotions towards the things money cant buy.
Isn’t color AMAZING? Learn more on how you can also harness the power of color by reading our “5 Secrets to Using Color in Design” post.
Twitter
We are all familiar with Twitter and their famous blue bird. But do you know why they chose that color?
[mp_span col=“3”]
[mp_image id=“5375” size=“medium” link_type=“custom_url” link=”#” target=“false” caption=“false” align=“center” margin=“none,20,none,none”]
[/mp_span]
“There is nothing like true blue.” That is what is stated on their brand guidelines. Twitter, like many of the social media giants, uses blue in the logo. Blue is the most popular color amongst brands world-wide. It is associated with the sea and sky — think vast opportunities, or even blue ocean strategies. The interpretation of the color blue has literally thousands of variations, if not endless ones. In this instance, Twitter’s color selection communicates knowledge, contemplation and coolness.
Fantastic article! It’s an informative resource for a process that is not always appreciated.
I’m glad you found this resource helpful! Our industry is often unappreciated, but I am determined to help change that.