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Logo

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A logo is a special graphic mark or symbol.

NASA+IBM+BIPM logos
NASA+IBM+BIPM logos

It helps people recognize a company, a product, or a group. Some logos use a wordmark, which is just the name written in a special way. Others use an ideogram, which is a sign or icon that does not need words.

Croixrouge logos
Croixrouge logos

The Red Cross is a famous emblem that people know all over the world. A logo can also be a pictograph, which is a design that looks like a real object. Designers often combine these elements into a "logo lock-up." This means the shapes and words are locked together in one set position.

Cocacola cyrilic
Cocacola cyrilic

This helps the brand stay easy to find everywhere.

Creating a great logo is a big job for graphic designers. It often starts with a team of marketing experts and designers working together. First, they must research the brand and its values. They also need to understand the people who will see the logo. Then, they move into conceptualization to come up with new ideas. They investigate many different candidates and refine the best one. Finally, they test the design on different products before they adopt it.

Bass logo
Bass logo

This careful process ensures the mark is strong and clear.

Logos have been used for a very long time. In the past, people used cylinder seals and coins to make marks.

BMC 06
BMC 06

During the Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries, printing technology changed everything. New tools like lithography helped the advertising industry grow. By 1890, the United States had 700 lithographic printing firms. This era saw a boom in using bright colors and bold shapes. In 1876, the Bass red triangle became the first logo to be trademarked. This was a very important moment in history.

In the 1950s, a new style called Modernism changed how logos looked. Designers began to use simple shapes and very clear ideas. They followed a famous rule that said, "Less is more." This helped logos look great on new things like television. Many famous design firms helped lead this movement. The firm Chermayeff & Geismar designed iconic logos for Chase Bank and NBC. Paul Rand created famous marks for IBM and UPS. Another pioneer, Saul Bass, designed the AT&T globe in 1983.

Bass logo
Bass logo

These designers helped create the modern look we see today.

Color is another vital tool that designers use every day. Colors can change how a person feels or reacts to a brand. For example, some companies use red, white, and blue to show patriotism. However, different colors might mean different things in other countries. Designers also use "dynamic logos" that can change over time.

NASA+IBM+BIPM logos
NASA+IBM+BIPM logos

The Michelin Man is an example of a character used in many ways. Today, many logos must also work well on the internet. Companies even try to match their logos to their web addresses. This helps people find them easily in a digital world.

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🖼️ Images & Media (7)
File:NASA+IBM+BIPM logos.svg
NASA+IBM+BIPM logos.svg
File:Chiswick Lion.png
Chiswick Lion.png
File:BMC 06.jpg
BMC 06.jpg
File:Bass logo.svg
Bass logo.svg
File:Croixrouge logos.jpg
Croixrouge logos.jpg
File:Cocacola cyrilic.JPG
Cocacola cyrilic.JPG
File:Mobius strip on van, Bristol, England arp.jpg
Mobius strip on van, Bristol, England arp.jpg
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