Logo designers worked hard to make sure that one picture can perfectly represent a brand that you recognize in less than a second, but if you saw how they looked in the beginning it would take you more than just a second to figure them out!
Many well-known brands change their logos with time to keep pace with their changing business. Evolution is a process of change or development. See some inspiring company logos below with its evolution as well as its history.
1. McDonald’s
McDonald's
As soon as we see these golden arches we immediately feel hungry. It is a symbol that we can easily recognize no matter where we are in the world, and we have to admit that we are all loving it. However, decades ago McDonald’s logo was not the kind of picture that would easily stand out.
2. Lego
Lego
This logo might be really simple but it has everything it takes to be fun: the vibrant colors,
the round letters and a look that any child would recognize. But in 1934 Lego’s logo was actually kind of boring. It was simply the name of the brand written in black. The logo was not used
on toys yet so they didn’t need to get the attention of children.
3. Coca-Cola
The Coca Cola Company
As soon as we see this logo on a bottle we know that we are going to open happiness and logo designer Frank M Robinson, was completley aware of this. He thought that the two letters “C” looked amazing in advertising and he was right! However, in 1890 the designer went a little crazy when he created a new
logo with a lot of extra swirls. It was so unpopular that it lasted for only a year before they went back to the original one.
4. Pepsi
PepsiCo
This time the soft drink went to a lot more transformations over the years. Just recently, the company paid 1 million dollars to change their logo and we are not sure that it was worth it. Even though they tried to simplify it in the 1900, it was still too similar to their competitors and it is not until the 40s that they added the red, white and blue to represent the colors of the United States and completely differentiated it from Coca Cola’s.
5. Oreo
Kraft Foods
The “Oreo Biscuit” was first developed and produced by the National Biscuit Company in 1912 at its Chelsea factory in New York City. The original design of the cookie featured a wreath around the edge of the cookie and the name “OREO” in the center. The name Oreo was first trademarked on March 14, 1912.
6. Instagram
Instagram
The logo was changed in 2016 to a sunset of colors to simplify the polaroid camera. Many people complained about this and said that they wanted the original logo back. We had to get used to it at rst, but we must admit that we now we love it and prefer the new one too!
7. Google
Google
You probably use google services every day to search for something, read your emails, go on YouTube or simply surf the web. It became such an important part of our lives that it had to become a verb! This logo is so famous and wants to stay so on trend that it keeps on changing. Particularly on special occasions.
8. Twitter
Twitter
If you want to twit about a fun fact, you should show this to your friends! That little blue bird you see everyday was originally this green disgusting fest.
9. Shell
Shell
The oil and gas company couldn’t really change their logo this is why yo can still see a red and yellow shell nowadays. The name of the company "Shell transport and trading company appeared in 1981 as they dealt with antiques and oriental seashells. When the royal dutch petroleum company merged with them, they shortened the name.
10. Burger King
Burger King
This logo introduced in the late 60's was known as the "Bun Halves" logo. It shows us the name of the company in the middle of two buns, undoubtedly simple but able to show what the company’s goal was.
11. Starbucks
Starbucks
If you like to buy a coffee every day you probably asked yourself this questions while you wait in line: Who is this woman in the picture? You will find the answer on the original logo before 1987. There is a representation of a twin-tailed mermaid from the 15th century who represents the temptation that men can’t resist. Just like u...
12. Apple
Apple
You probably have one of these bitten apples right in front of you on your mac your iPhone or your iPad, but did you ever wonder what it looked like before this brand was so popular? The original logo featured Isaac Newton under an apple tree but they were looking for something more simple so they preferred a colorful bitten apple instead. The only reason why the apple is bitten is to make sure that we don’t mistake it for a tomato.
13. Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft used the Mercedes name for most of its cars and registered it as a trademark in 1902. The three-pointed star came later, in 1909. Jellinek had his own name legally changed to Emil Jellinek-Mer- cedes.The design consists of a simple depiction of a three-pointed star that represents its domination of the land, sea, and air.
14. Barbie
Mattel
At first, Barbie was received with skepticism by the industry, but Ruth Handler (its creator) persevered. Now, over 55 years later, Barbie is a global icon who inspire girls all over the world to be anything they want to be. From her 180 careers , to her fantasy roles and her countless fashion looks, Barbie has always offered girl choices and endless storytelling possibilities.
15. Disney Channel
Walt Disney Company
To reflect Disney Channel's transition from a premium channel to a commercial - free basic cable service, the logo was overhauled dramatically on April 6, 1997. It was often seen without the "CHANNEL" underneath the main logo, and it was usually referred to the audience as just Disney. Then, from around 1999 they decided to added it again.
16. Microsoft
Microsoft
In 1992 the Windows 3.1 logo was a literal window with four panes and a black frame that broke into tails on one side like a meteor. It remained the same until Windows XP was released in 2001. The Windows XP logo was minimalized down to just the four colored windowpanes floating with no frame – distinctly Windows but much simpler.
17. Amazon
Amazon
The online retail giant takes its name from the largest river of the world and its iconic logo brilliantly portrays the very essence of its extensive store directory. Just look at the arrow from 'A' to 'Z' - it signifies the store houses a catalogue of everything. Moreover, the end goal for any retailer, especially one the size of Amazon, is always happy customers, hence the arrow ends with a 'smile'.
18. Adidas
Adidas
The three slants that define Adidas aptly represent a mountain which points to the many obstacles we must overcome in life. The logo started out with just three stripes, but the clothing company decided to slant them and boom, a whole new amazing meaning.
19. Firefox
Mozilla
The first name of the browser was “Phoenix”, but due to some trade name issues, it was changed to “Fire- bird”. The next year, the company faced a new trade name issue because of the existing Firebird database server. In 2004, the founders decided to entirely rebrand the project with a new name and logo. The new name “Firefox” is a Chinese name for a red panda. It was chosen because of its similarity to the name “Firebird”.
20. Kodak
Kodak
The Kodak logo has witnessed many changes throughout its history as the logo designers experimented with different elements.
Despite frequent changes in the Kodak logo design, the viewers always recognized the logo instantly and it continued to be one of the most popular one in the photography industry.