Logos play a critical role in creating a lasting brand, as they are the visual representation that consumers immediately associate with a company or product. They are an iconic symbol that communicates the brand’s identity and values in a concise and memorable way.
Over time, brands have understood the importance of keeping their logos updated to reflect a contemporary image and stay relevant in a constantly evolving world. A well-designed logo is not only a visual signature, but a powerful tool for establishing an emotional connection with your audience and fostering customer loyalty across generations.
Logos of big brands that successfully changed
Over the years, many brands have made changes to their logos to stay current or reflect a new image. Here I show you 10 examples:
1.Apple
- Before: The first Apple logo was designed by Ronald Wayne, one of the company’s co-founders. This logo depicted Isaac Newton sitting under an apple tree with an apple about to fall on his head. It symbolized innovation and scientific inspiration.
- Now: In 1977, Apple changed its logo to the famous “bitten apple logo.” The design was simplified, and the apple had a bite so that it would not be confused with a cherry. This logo became one of the most recognizable icons in the world of technology.
The evolution of Apple’s logo reflects the change in the company’s design philosophy, which has focused on simplicity and elegance.
2.Microsoft
- Before: In 1980, Microsoft introduced a new logo that featured the company name with horizontal stripes underneath. These stripes represented the lines of code in computer programming and marked the beginning of the era of personal computers.
- Now: Microsoft’s current logo consists of four colored squares (blue, green, yellow and red) that represent the company’s key products: Windows, Office, Xbox and Azure.
Microsoft’s rebrand shows the company’s transition from its beginnings in personal computing to its focus on a variety of technology products and services in the modern era.
3.Starbucks
- Before: The first Starbucks logo, designed in 1971, featured a drawing of a naked mermaid with two tails, surrounded by a circle and letters that read “Starbucks Coffee, Tea, Spices.” This logo reflected the company’s connection to the maritime industry and the sale of exotic products.
- Now: In 2021, Starbucks made another update to its logo. While the mermaid image was kept in essence, it was further simplified and given a more modern and clean look.
The brand grew from a small coffee shop in Seattle to a global chain of coffee shops and coffee suppliers. The current logo maintains key elements of its original design, making it one of the most recognizable logos in the world of coffee.
4.Google
- Before: The first Google logo, created in 1997 by Sergey Brin, one of the founders, was a simple representation of the name “Google.” He used a font with drop shadows and an exclamation point for a playful touch.
- Now: It is a very simple and modern design, with lowercase sans serif letters and bright colors. The current logo reflects Google’s focus on simplicity and accessibility in its design and user experience.
Google started as a search engine and has grown into one of the world’s leading technology companies, with a wide range of products and services. The current logo is an example of minimalist, recognizable design that communicates Google’s identity effectively.
5.Pepsi
- Before: In 1898, pharmacist Caleb Bradham created a carbonated drink called Brad’s Drink, which later became Pepsi-Cola. The first logo was a simple typeface that said “Brad’s Drink” in elegant letters. A year later, Bradham renamed the drink “Pepsi-Cola” and created a new logo that featured the name in curved red letters.
- Now: In 1987, Pepsi introduced the “Pepsi Globe” logo that is used today. It’s a simplified design with a tricolor balloon representing a smile, and the word “Pepsi” in bold letters.
Pepsi’s image reflects its quest to modernize and stay relevant in the soft drink industry over the years. They recently made a new change that includes the brand name in the balloon.
6. Coca-Cola
- Before: In 1890, the first recorded version of the Coca-Cola logo was recorded, which included a distinctive cursive typeface, which has remained in essence to this day.
- Now: In 1985, Coca-Cola made a significant change to its logo by adopting a simpler, more modern design. The current logo features the word “Coca-Cola” in red letters with a sans-serif font on a white background. This design has remained relatively unchanged since then.
Coca-Cola logos have had very few significant changes throughout their history. The drink has struggled to maintain its distinctive identity while adapting to trends and changes in graphic design over time. The current logo is one of the most recognized and iconic logos worldwide and has been instrumental to the continued success of the Coca-Cola brand.
7. IBM
- Before: The first logo for IBM, then known as the “International Time Recording Company,” was created in 1888. It featured an image of a man punching a timekeeping clock. In 1924, the company officially adopted the name “International Business Machines Corporation” and introduced a new logo that included the letters “IBM” in a serif style known as “Eagle Bold.” This logo reflected the seriousness and reliability of the company.
- Now: The current IBM logo, used today, maintains the iconic blue stripes and features the name “IBM” in sans-serif letters. This design is simple and elegant, reflecting the long history and continuity of the brand.
The evolution of the IBM logo shows how the company has maintained a strong, recognizable identity over the years, even as it has adapted to changing design and technology trends in the computing and information technology industry.
8.Ford
- Before: The first Ford logo, used in 1903 when the company was founded, featured the name “Ford Motor Co. Detroit, Mich.” in a complex design and with ornate letters. The design was an elegant and classic representation of the era.
- Now: In 1927, Ford further simplified its logo, eliminating the words “Ford Motor Co.” and leaving only the blue oval with the name “Ford” in white letters. This design is the oval logo that is used today and is widely recognized around the world.
Since its first substantial change, the Ford logo has only had minor alterations. In 1957, Ford changed the logo design slightly by making it larger compared to previous models and changing the blue to a lighter shade. However, the overall design of the oval and the name “Ford” in white letters were left intact.
9.Amazon
- Before: When Amazon was founded in 1994, its first logo was quite simple. It featured the word “Amazon.com” in black letters in serif-style typography on a white background. It was often accompanied by a slogan that read “Earth’s Biggest Bookstore.”
- Now: In 2011, Amazon introduced a variant of its logo that featured only the word “Amazon” in black sans-serif letters on a white background. This logo was used in combination with the main logo that included the “.com”.
In 2012, Amazon introduced an additional logo called “Amazon Smile.” This design included a smile that started with the letter “A” and ended with the letter “z,” representing the idea that Amazon made customers smile.
10.Nike
- Before: The first Nike logo, created in 1971 by graphic designer Carolyn Davidson, featured an image of a “swoosh” (a kind of hook or check mark) in the form of a simple curved stroke. This design transmitted speed, dynamism and movement.
- Now: In 1995, Nike made a significant change by removing the “Nike” name from the logo and leaving just the “swoosh.” This simplified design reinforced the brand’s identity and has continued to this day.
Over the years, Nike has experimented with different variations of the “swoosh,” including changes to the thickness and orientation of the checkmark in various products and advertising campaigns.
These are just a few examples of how brands have evolved over the years by updating their logos to fit trends and stay relevant in the market.
Editorial Team The editorial team of EMPRENDEDOR.com, which for more than 27 years has worked to promote entrepreneurship.