Designing a brand logo requires careful thought and testing, as it will represent your brand in the long term. Before you start sketching, itโs important to research both the best and worst logos in history. This will inspire and help you learn from the successes and mistakes of others.
The following five best logos in history prove that clarity and simplicity make it easier to connect with the audience and transcend time.
The Nike โswooshโ, created by Carolyn Davidson, is one of the most famous logos worldwide. Inspired by the wings of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, the swoosh embodies the spirit of triumph and power.
Its sleek, flowing design captures the essence of movement and speed, while its resemblance to a checkmark symbolizes action, achievement, and the iconic mantra: “Just do it.” This simple yet powerful emblem shows how a minimalist design can carry such deep brand values and connect with people across cultures.
Also Read: Color Contrast for Accessibility in Logo Design
The original Apple logo showed Isaac Newton sitting under an apple tree, symbolizing his discovery of gravity. But as Apple grew, Steve Jobs wanted a more modern design. He introduced the now-famous bitten apple, which looked better in smaller sizes and reflected the companyโs forward-thinking spirit.
At first, the logo had rainbow stripes and the word “Apple” on it. Over time, it was simplified to a single color, symbolizing the brand’s focus on simplicity and innovation.
Steve Jobs once described Apple’s creation as a combination of simplicity and strength. The brand’s logo reflects this by focusing on innovation and standing out.
The McDonald’s logo, or “Golden Arches,” comes from the original arches at their first restaurant outlet. They were combined to form the letter “M,” creating a simple, recognizable logo. By using it everywhere, McDonald’s has built a strong, easily recognizable brand.
Coca-Colaโs logo has stayed true to its original design, created by Frank Mason Robinson in 1886. Itโs a perfect example of how a custom font can help a brandโs logo stand out. The color red was added in the 1950s to appeal to younger consumers.
Over the years, Coca-Colaโs red and white colors have come to represent energy, excitement, and passion. This has also tied into the brandโs holiday marketing, with red and white now closely linked to both Santa Claus and Coca-Cola.
The Chanel logo is a symbol of timeless elegance and luxury, just like the brand itself. This logo’s clean lines and geometric shapes reflect the precision and sophistication seen in Chanel’s iconic fashion pieces, like their famous bags.
The logo, always in black and white, uses a custom font with capital letters. Whether it’s black text on white or vice-versa, the Chanel logo remains a symbol of high fashion and never goes out of style.
Also Read: 10 Key Elements of Timeless Logo Design with Example
Studying the best and worst logos provides valuable insights and inspiration for your design. Check out what you can learn to avoid when designing logos with the list of worst logos in history below.
Over the years, Pepsi has undergone six logo changes to stay fresh and relevant while aiming for a classic look. In one recent update, however, customers noticed that the logo resembled a chubby man. This logo quickly earned the title of the worst, as peopleโs interpretations of its design diverged so far from what was intended.
The London Olympics logo caused a lot of controversy when it was revealed. Its abstract design confused many people and some even thought it secretly spelled out “Zion,” causing religious backlash.
Many found it hard to connect to London and saw negative symbols in it, like a swastika. Because of all the criticism, itโs often considered one of the worst Olympic logos.
In 2012, Yves Saint Laurent made a bold move by transforming their iconic monogram logo into a Paris street sign. However, by removing the heart of their brandโthe name and legacy of their founderโthey ended up damaging their reputation.
Also Read: Top 10 Famous Band Logos and What They Represent
The A-Style logo was created in 1989, long before the brand launched its clothing line. The designerโs idea was to spread the logo as yellow stickers around Italian cities, using guerrilla marketing to get attention.
However, over time, some people began to interpret the design as evoking inappropriate or controversial imagery. The buzz it generated in the media helped turn the A-Style logo into a recognizable symbol, and the company began using it to brand its clothing.
In 2008, the UKโs Office of Government Commerce (OGC) spent over ยฃ14,000 to redesign its logo to modernize its image. At first, the logo seemed fine, but when rotated 90 degrees, what appeared to be a clean, professional design turned into something many found uncomfortable and inappropriate.
Also Read: 45+ Unique AI Prompt for Logo Design to Enhance Brand Identity
From the list of best and worst logos in history, you can see how important it is to consider every aspect when designing a logo. Sometimes, even a well-intentioned update can backfire if all possibilities arenโt thought through.
The aspects include the types of logos, angles, color palettes, symbols, and also fonts you use to design the logos. Specifically, look for fonts that align with your brand’s tone and image.
You can find a wide variety of fonts on our website DM Studio to choose from for your branding. Visit now and grab one that resonates with you!