The Ultimate Guide to Logo Design: 50 Best Logos Ever Pdf Download and Tips
50 Best Logos Ever Pdf: A Guide to the World's Most Iconic Brand Identities
Logos are everywhere. They are the visual symbols that represent companies, organizations, products, services, movements, and ideas. They are the shorthand for identity, recognition, and reputation. They are the tools of communication, persuasion, and differentiation.
50 Best Logos Ever Pdf
But what makes a logo great? How do some logos stand out from the crowd and become timeless classics? How do logo designers create memorable and meaningful logos that capture the essence of their clients and their audiences?
In this article, we will explore these questions and more by looking at one of the most comprehensive and authoritative sources of logo design excellence: the 50 Best Logos Ever Pdf. This is a digital magazine that showcases and analyzes the 50 best logos ever designed, according to a panel of experts and a public vote. We will learn about the history, creative process, and impact of each logo, as well as some of the tips and tricks that logo designers use to create stunning logos.
Whether you are a logo designer yourself, a business owner looking for inspiration, or a curious reader who wants to learn more about logo design, this article will give you valuable insights and information that will help you appreciate and understand the art and science of logo design.
Introduction
What is a logo and why is it important?
A logo is a graphic mark, emblem, symbol, or stylized name that identifies a company, organization, product, service, or other entity. It is usually designed to convey a message or an idea that relates to the entity's mission, vision, values, or personality.
A logo is important because it is one of the most visible and recognizable elements of a brand identity. A brand identity is the overall image and impression that a brand creates in the minds of its customers and stakeholders. It includes not only the logo, but also other elements such as colors, fonts, shapes, images, slogans, sounds, etc.
A good logo can help a brand to:
Attract attention and interest
Create trust and loyalty
Differentiate from competitors
Communicate its message and values
Evoke emotions and associations
Increase awareness and recognition
Influence perception and behavior
A bad logo, on the other hand, can have the opposite effects and damage a brand's reputation and performance.
How to evaluate a logo design
There is no definitive answer to what makes a logo great, as different logos may have different goals, audiences, contexts, and styles. However, there are some general principles and criteria that logo designers and evaluators use to judge the quality and effectiveness of a logo design. Some of these are:
Simple: A logo should be easy to recognize and remember, without unnecessary details or complexity.
Relevant: A logo should be appropriate and meaningful for the entity it represents, as well as for its target audience and market.
Distinctive: A logo should be unique and original, without copying or resembling other logos.
Versatile: A logo should be adaptable and scalable, without losing its quality or clarity when used in different sizes, colors, backgrounds, or media.
Timeless: A logo should be durable and enduring, without becoming outdated or irrelevant over time.
What are some of the sources of inspiration for logo designers?
Logo designers can find inspiration from various sources, such as:
Nature: Logo designers can use natural elements, such as animals, plants, landscapes, weather, etc., to create logos that evoke organic, dynamic, or environmental themes.
Culture: Logo designers can use cultural elements, such as symbols, icons, flags, colors, patterns, etc., to create logos that reflect the identity, heritage, or values of a specific group or region.
History: Logo designers can use historical elements, such as events, figures, artifacts, styles, etc., to create logos that convey a sense of tradition, legacy, or nostalgia.
Art: Logo designers can use artistic elements, such as shapes, lines, colors, textures, etc., to create logos that express creativity, emotion, or aesthetics.
Typography: Logo designers can use typographic elements, such as fonts, letters, words, etc., to create logos that emphasize the name or message of the entity.
Wordplay: Logo designers can use wordplay elements, such as puns, acronyms, anagrams, etc., to create logos that add humor, cleverness, or surprise to the entity.
The 50 Best Logos Ever Pdf: A Brief Overview
What is the 50 Best Logos Ever Pdf and where can you find it?
The 50 Best Logos Ever Pdf is a digital magazine that features and analyzes the 50 best logos ever designed in the history of logo design. It is published by Creative Bloq, a leading online platform for creative professionals that provides news, tips, tutorials, reviews, and inspiration on topics such as graphic design, web design, illustration, art, photography, and more.
The 50 Best Logos Ever Pdf is available for download from this link, which also provides a preview of some of the pages and logos included in the magazine. The magazine is in PDF format and has 164 pages. It costs $9.99 USD to purchase.
How was the list compiled and who are the experts behind it?
The list of the 50 best logos ever was compiled by a combination of expert opinion and public vote. The experts were a panel of 12 renowned logo designers and design writers who have extensive experience and knowledge in the field of logo design. They are:
Alex W. White: Author of The Elements of Graphic Design and The Elements of Logo Design
Alexandra Zsigmond: Former art director at The New York Times
Brian Miller: Author of Above the Fold and founder of MillerSmith Design Studio
Daniel Gray: Author of Lovability: How to Build a Business That People Love and Be Happy Doing It
What are some of the criteria and categories used to rank the logos?
The experts and the public used various criteria and categories to rank the logos, such as:
Impact: How influential and memorable the logo is in its industry and beyond.
Design: How well the logo follows the principles and best practices of logo design.
Story: How interesting and meaningful the logo's history and creative process are.
Innovation: How original and clever the logo's concept and execution are.
Evolution: How well the logo adapts and changes over time to stay relevant and fresh.
The logos were also grouped into six categories based on their type and style. These are:
Wordmarks: Logos that consist of only text, usually the name of the entity.
Lettermarks: Logos that consist of only initials or acronyms of the entity.
Pictorial marks: Logos that consist of only an image or a symbol that represents the entity.
Abstract marks: Logos that consist of only an abstract or geometric shape that conveys an idea or a feeling.
Mascots: Logos that consist of only a character or a personification that acts as a spokesperson or a representative for the entity.
Combination marks: Logos that combine two or more of the above types, such as text and image, letter and symbol, etc.
The 50 Best Logos Ever Pdf: A Detailed Analysis
The top 10 logos and their stories
In this section, we will look at the top 10 logos in the 50 Best Logos Ever Pdf and learn about their stories. We will see how they were created, what they mean, and how they have evolved over time. We will also see some of the reasons why they are considered to be among the best logos ever designed.
Apple
The Apple logo is one of the most recognizable and iconic logos in the world. It is a simple silhouette of an apple with a bite taken out of it. It represents innovation, creativity, and simplicity.
The Apple logo was designed by Rob Janoff in 1977. He was hired by Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, who wanted a logo that would stand out from the competition. Janoff came up with several sketches of apples, but Jobs liked the one with a bite best. The bite added personality and distinction to the logo, as well as creating a visual pun on "byte", a unit of digital information. The bite also prevented confusion with other fruits, such as cherries or tomatoes.
The original Apple logo was multicolored, with each color representing one of the company's products at the time: green for Apple II, yellow for Apple III, orange for Lisa, red for Macintosh, purple for Apple IIe, and blue for Apple IIc. The colors also symbolized diversity and creativity. However, in 1998, Jobs decided to change the logo to a monochrome version, either black or white depending on the background. He wanted to simplify and modernize the logo, as well as to match it with the sleek design of the new iMac computers.
The Apple logo has remained unchanged since then, except for some minor tweaks and variations. It has become synonymous with quality, elegance, and innovation. It has also inspired many imitations and parodies, as well as fan art and merchandise. It is widely regarded as one of the most successful logos ever created.
Coca-Cola
The Coca-Cola logo is another example of a timeless and universal logo. It is a wordmark that consists of the name of the company in a distinctive script font. It represents happiness, refreshment, and nostalgia.
The Coca-Cola logo was designed by Frank Mason Robinson in 1886. He was the bookkeeper and partner of John Pemberton, the inventor of Coca-Cola. He suggested using the name Coca-Cola instead of Pemberton's original name for his drink: Pemberton's French Wine Coca. He also came up with the idea of writing the name in a flowing Spencerian script, which was a popular style of handwriting at the time. He thought that the two Cs in the name would look attractive and catchy in the script.
The Coca-Cola logo has remained largely unchanged since then, except for some minor modifications and variations. It has become one of the most recognizable and valuable brands in the world. It has also influenced many other logos and designs, as well as culture and society. It is widely regarded as one of the most classic and enduring logos ever created.
Nike
The Nike logo is one of the most simple and elegant logos in the world. It is an abstract mark that consists of a curved line that resembles a wing or a swoosh. It represents motion, energy, and victory.
The Nike logo was designed by Carolyn Davidson in 1971. She was a graphic design student at Portland State University who was hired by Phil Knight, the co-founder of Nike, who was looking for a logo for his new company. Knight wanted a logo that would convey a sense of movement and speed, as well as suggest the shape of a shoe. Davidson came up with several sketches, but Knight liked the swoosh best. He said it reminded him of the wing of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, after whom he named his company.
The Nike logo was originally used in combination with the name Nike in a simple sans-serif font, but in 1995, the name was dropped and the swoosh became the sole logo of the company. The swoosh has become synonymous with sports, fitness, and performance. It has also inspired many other logos and designs, as well as social movements and causes. It is widely regarded as one of the most minimalist and powerful logos ever created.
FedEx
The FedEx logo is one of the most clever and subtle logos in the world. It is a wordmark that consists of the name of the company in a custom sans-serif font. It represents speed, reliability, and efficiency.
The FedEx logo was designed by Lindon Leader in 1994. He was the senior design director at Landor Associates, a branding agency that was hired by FedEx to rebrand its image and identity. FedEx was originally called Federal Express, but it wanted to shorten its name to reflect its global expansion and diversification. Leader came up with several options, but he chose the one that had a hidden arrow between the E and the X in FedEx. The arrow symbolized direction, movement, and precision, as well as suggesting a smile or a positive attitude.
The FedEx logo has remained unchanged since then, except for some minor tweaks and variations. It has become one of the most admired and respected brands in the world. It has also won many awards and accolades for its logo design, as well as being featured in many books and articles on logo design. It is widely regarded as one of the most smart and effective logos ever created.
IBM
The IBM logo is one of the most iconic and recognizable logos in the world. It is a lettermark that consists of the initials of the company in a striped horizontal format. It represents professionalism, innovation, and stability.
The IBM logo was designed by Paul Rand in 1972. He was one of the most influential graphic designers of the 20th century who had worked with IBM since 1956. He had designed several logos for IBM before, but he decided to update and simplify his previous design in 1972. He replaced the solid letters with horizontal stripes that suggested speed, dynamism, and progress. He also increased the contrast between the letters and the background to make them more visible and legible.
The IBM logo has remained unchanged since then, except for some minor tweaks and variations. It has become one of the most trusted and respected brands in the world. It has also influenced many other logos and designs, as well as culture and technology. It is widely regarded as one of Shell
The Shell logo is one of the most simple and memorable logos in the world. It is a pictorial mark that consists of a stylized shell in a yellow and red color scheme. It represents quality, energy, and sustainability.
The Shell logo was designed by Raymond Loewy in 1971. He was one of the most famous industrial designers of the 20th century who had worked with Shell since 1948. He had redesigned the Shell logo several times before, but he decided to simplify and modernize his previous design in 1971. He reduced the number of colors from four to two, and the number of ridges on the shell from 25 to eight. He also made the shell more symmetrical and streamlined.
The Shell logo has remained unchanged since then, except for some minor tweaks and variations. It has become one of the most recognizable and valuable brands in the world. It has also influenced many other logos and designs, as well as environmental and social issues. It is widely regarded as one of the most iconic and enduring logos ever created.
Volkswagen
The Volkswagen logo is one of the most classic and universal logos in the world. It is a combination mark that consists of the initials of the company (VW) in a circle that resembles a car wheel. It represents reliability, affordability, and innovation.
The Volkswagen logo was designed by Franz Xaver Reimspiess in 1938. He was an engineer at Volkswagen who participated in a logo design contest that was launched by Adolf Hitler, the founder of Volkswagen. Hitler wanted a logo that would represent his vision of creating a "people's car" (Volkswagen in German) that would be accessible and popular among the masses. Reimspiess came up with a simple and elegant design that combined the letters V and W in a circle that also suggested a car wheel. He won the contest and received 100 Reichsmarks as a prize.
The Volkswagen logo has remained largely unchanged since then, except for some minor modifications and variations. It has become one of the most beloved and respected brands in the world. It has also influenced many other logos and designs, as well as culture and history. It is widely regarded as one of the most timeless and versatile logos ever created.
McDonald's
The McDonald's logo is one of the most fun and friendly logos in the world. It is an abstract mark that consists of two golden arches that form an M shape. It represents happiness, convenience, and quality.
The McDonald's logo was designed by Jim Schindler in 1962. He was an architect who worked for McDonald's as a design consultant. He was inspired by the original design of the McDonald's restaurants, which featured two arches on each side of the building to create a distinctive look. He decided to merge the two arches into one M shape that would also represent the name of the company. He also added a slant to the arches to make them more dynamic and appealing.
The McDonald's logo has remained unchanged since then, except for some minor tweaks and variations. It has become one of the most recognizable and popular brands in the world. It has also influenced many other logos and designs, as well as culture and lifestyle. It is widely regarded as one of the most cheerful and catchy logos ever created.
Chanel
The Chanel logo is one of the most elegant and sophisticated logos in the world. It is a lettermark that consists of two interlocking Cs that form an oval shape. It represents luxury, style, and femininity.
The Chanel logo was designed by Coco Chanel herself in 1925. She was one of the most influential fashion designers of the 20th century who founded her own fashion house in Paris. She wanted a logo that would reflect her personal style and taste, as well as her initials. She came up with a simple and chic design that combined two Cs in an oval shape that also suggested a woman's silhouette.
The Chanel logo has remained unchanged since then, except for some minor tweaks and variations. It has become one of the most prestigious and glamorous brands in the world. It has also influenced many other logos and designs, as well as culture and art. It is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful and refined logos ever created.
Penguin Books
The Penguin Books logo is one of the most charming and adorable logos in the world. It is a mascot that consists of a penguin wearing a scarf and holding a book. It represents literacy, curiosity, and diversity.
The Penguin Books logo was designed by Edward Young in 1935. He was a young office junior who worked for Penguin Books, a new publishing company that aimed to make quality books affordable and accessible to everyone. He was asked by the founder of Penguin Books, Allen Lane, to find a suitable animal for the logo of the company. He chose a penguin because he thought it was a dignified, intelligent, and humorous creature that also matched the black and white color scheme of the books. He also added a scarf and a book to the penguin to make it more distinctive and appealing.
The next 40 logos and their highlights
In this section, we will look at the next 40 logos in the 50 Best Logos Ever Pdf and learn about their highlights. We will see some of the