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Realtor Logo Design, History, & Evolution

By Billy Clarke Leave a Comment

realtor logo

Anyone who has contemplated and researched buying or selling a home has most likely seen the Realtor logo. It frequently appears on brochures, business cards and advertisements. That is feature Realtors and/or homes for sale. 

The logo is simple and strong, evoking a sense of stability and trust. In recent years, the National Association of Realtors decided the logo needed an update. Let’s examine the history and evolution of the widely recognized Realtor logo and brand.

About the Realtor Brand

realtor-real-estate

Image via Pixabay

Firstly, Realtor is a registered mark that is used by real estate professionals. To identify their membership in the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Founded in 1908, the NAR is compose of commercial and residential brokers. Also, salespeople, appraisers and other real estate professionals.

Secondly, The NAR represents 1.3 million members who belong to around 1,200 local associations. Or boards in the United States and some U.S. territories. Its headquarters is in Chicago, Illinois.

The term, “Realtor,” was proposed originally by a real estate agent in Minneapolis, Minnesota named Charles N. Chadbourn. The idea was for the NAR’s members to be able to distinguish themselves from non-members.

While, many people are unaware of the fact that “Realtor” is a registered mark. As opposed to a blanket term that covers all real estate professionals. Use of the term, “Realtor,” means that the user is a member of the National Association of Realtors. And non-members may not use the mark.

Realtors must follow the NAR’s code of ethics. The mission of the NAR is to empower its members’ success. Also, it maintains that everyone has the right to own, transfer and use real property.

Futhermore, the National Association of Realtors developed a ethical business practices for the real estate industry. It affords its Realtors a vehicle for professional development. As well as a means to exchange ideas and information between members.

The Realtor logo may be used online. Also in marketing materials to officially identify someone as a Realtor. Specific trademark guidelines must be adhered to when the logo is used. Lastly, according to brand research by the NAR, the “Realtor” logo is highly recognizable. Perceived by consumers as trustworthy, iconic, influential and authoritative.

The Realtor Logo Design History

narrative-history-dream-tell

Image via Pixabay

Traditionally, the Realtor logo is a large, bold and stylized letter “R” inside a square. Three individual shapes (a rectangle, triangle, and half-circle) come together to form the letter. Which is reversed out against a dark background. 

The background forms a square around the “R” which can either be filled with black or dark blue. Underneath the square with the “R” is the word “Realtor” in all caps with a registered service mark symbol. The color of the word should match the black or dark blue color of the square.

The Realtor logo can be used by itself

Or in conjunction with the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) emblem. MLS is how real estate agents compensate other brokers and share property information. Furthermore, the service mark that features the Realtor logo in conjunction with the MLS emblem contains. Both logos inside a larger rectangle that is a 30% tint of the original color (black or dark blue). 

When the “R” logo is used with the NAR name. The font for National Association of Realtors is Garamond, a thin serif typeface.The abbreviation “MLS” is presented in a bold italic, sans-serif typeface. The words “Multiple Listing Service” are spelled out in an italic sans-serif font in all caps. The typeface used on “Realtor” is a simple sans-serif font that is neither bold nor italic.

In addition, the MLS Realtor logo can be printed in blue, black or black and white. In the blue version, the frame and the lettering are blue, and the background is light blue. A dark blue square holds the white letter “R.” That square then sits atop a white rectangle with a dark blue border. In black, the color of the larger box is gray while the lettering and frame are black.

realtor-sign-sold-real-estate

Image via Pixabay

real-estate-sign-sale-selling

Image via Pixabay

The Realtor Logo Evolution

In 2016, the Presidential Advisory Group of the NAR recommended that the Realtor brand change by modernize the brand. In early 2017, a brand evaluation was conducted, and a budget was approved for re-branding.

Also, in the latter half of 2017, surveys were given to over 1,000 members. As well as consumers before Conran Design Group supplied their findings to the leadership team.

The survey research found that the existing Realtor logo. And NAR branding already instilled a sense of trust, authority, and power. Yet, very few people perceived the logo as contemporary, warm, visionary or progressive.

Furthermore, this led to the decision that the logo need not be re-invented. But modernized with evolution. So that it retained recognition but appealed to current consumers. About 15% of the re-branding budget was allocated to the new logo design.

laptop-mockup-graphics-tablet

Image via Pixabay

Conran Design Group Approach

  • Make minor refinements of the Realtor mark to keep the brand recognizable
  • Stay with blue color
  • Keep the square which contains the “R,” but turn it into a three-dimensional cube to add depth
  • Make the logo more modern, approachable and scalable
  • Simplify the NAR part of the logo
  • Redraw the “R” to simplify it and make it more friendly for digital design

​In February 2018, new logo options were presented by the Conran Design Group to the leadership team. The new Realtor logo still uses the blue color, but now the “R” sits on a three-dimensional cube shape. One edge of the cube is darker to give the cube depth and shadowing.

The “R” has been slightly redrawn so that it looks more uniform. And modern, but it is still recognized as the Realtor “R.” The word Realtor has been removed from underneath, and the NAR name sits to the right of the cube.

The font used for “National Association of Realtors” is Montserrat. . Which is cleaner and bolder than the before used Garamond.

Why These Specific Changes?

  • No radical redesign to keep marketplace recognition. And transfer positive associations from the old logo to the new one
  • New logo: more compelling and more precise to read
  • The “R,” the most recognizable feature of the old logo, kept and modified only
  • The cube shape: an evolution of the blue square that makes it more dynamic. By giving it perspective and depth
  • The color blue: kept because of its iconic association with the Realtor brand
  • The Monserrat typeface allows more flexible usage of the Realtor logo. Particularly on digital platforms

Criticisms

hand-magnifying-glass-magnification

Image via Pixabay

Some people feel that the new Realtor logo is not a dramatic improvement over the old. Claiming that it feels like a lateral move rather than a positive one. The “R” logo now has slightly more of a cushion around it inside the blue frame than it did, which is easier on the eyes.

The slight redesign of the “R” into two shapes rather than three is also an improvement. But, some critics say the retained box shape. And bolder Montserrat font make the logo feel bulky, unoriginal and dated.

We disagree somewhat with this assessment. The bolder sans-serif font allows for greater readability. And more diverse usage of the logo. But, we do question the particular usage of Montserrat. When there are so many other more modern fonts available to choose from. We also disagree that the logo now seems more dated in comparison to the old Realtor logo.

We think the added dimension makes the logo stand out and moves the brand’s perception into the future.Some realtors believe that the new Realtor logo was unnecessary. Also too expensive for a result that is not all that different from the original.

We tend to agree with this sentiment. Since the NAR spent roughly $250,000 on the new logo only to end up with minimal changes.

Conclusion

gavel-auction-law-hammer-symbol

Image via Pixabay

The new Realtor logo: a slight change from the old. Was it worth it? Do we like the look? We conclude that it was a wise decision for the National Association of Realtors to improve. Also modernize the Realtor logo.

The cube in perspective and the slightly altered “R” give the logo a dynamic. And modern feel while retaining important brand recognition. We also find the choice of a sans-serif font on the “National Association of Realtors”. Text to be an improvement in the readability and versatility of the logo.

Our only criticisms of this change would be the usage of the Montserrat font. Also, the amount of money spent by the NAR on redesigning the Realtor logo given. That the overall effect was not very dramatic.

We think that a more modern, upscale sans-serif font could have been used instead. And perhaps some slightly more significant changes made for effect. Right now, the new Realtor logo too closely resembles the old. We venture a guess that laypersons who don’t have a background in design. Will not notice that anything has changed at all.


Target Logo Design, History And Evolution

By Logo Realm Team Leave a Comment

The evolution of corporate logos is one of the most fascinating topics in modern culture. Some logos remain relatively unchanged for decades while other logos get regular updates. In this article, we’ll examine the Target logo.

Consciously or not, our interaction with corporate logos makes up the background tapestry of our whole lives. Almost invariably, significant life experiences happen in the presence of some corporate logo, and seeing that logo years later can bring back memories that may have been dormant for many years. 

About Target

Everyone is familiar with the iconic red and white Target logo of the popular discount store. Most large and medium-sized cities have a Target either on the outskirts of town or nestled in a corner of a busy city center.

People even define themselves as “Target shoppers” and proudly carry their Target logo-emblazoned bags home after successful shopping trips. But as familiar as you are with the brand, how much do you really know about the history of this discount shopping icon?

History

Founded in Roseville, Minnesota on May 1st, 1962, Target has grown to become the 8th-largest department store retailer in the United States. Modern stores are roughly 135,000 square feet and offer everything from clothing to electronics.

The first Super Target opened in 1995 in Omaha, Nebraska. A Super Target is roughly 50% larger than standard Targets and features a full grocery store.

Target Brands

There are many brands promoted under the Target logo and are featured at the retail locations. These brands include the following:

  • Archer Farms
  • Circo
  • PillowFort
  • Merona
  • Embark

Company Outlook

target logo on a store at springfield town center

CC 3.0 by Ser Amantio di Nicolao via Wikimedia Commons

Over the years, the Target logo has become one of the retail cornerstones of the US retail economy. Target has evolved as American society has changed, and the company ranks on the Fortune magazine list of the “World’s Most Admired Companies”.

The business community respects Target for its sound business principals, fair treatment of workers, and philanthropic efforts.

Target Logo Design

The Target logo is a red and white bulls-eye recognized by 96% of American consumers. The Target logo features a red dot at the center surrounded by a concentric white ring, with a second concentric red ring, followed by another concentric red ring.

The logo is symmetrical and pleasing to the eye. Variations include adding the Target name in black or red in Helvetica Neue Bold font. The Target name may appear to the right or below the bulls-eye logo.

What Makes the Target Logo So Perfect?

Iconic examples of graphic design are always simple, convey a thought, and are memorable. For example, the “I love New York” T-shirt with its black letters on a white background and a red heart has become almost a required purchase for all visitors to the Big Apple. The Target logo features design elements featured in many iconic logos.

Iconic Design Elements

  • Simplicity
  • Symmetry
  • The color red

How Do These Elements Work Together?

A simple design is easy to recognize even at a great distance or when viewed only for an instant. Logos must alert drivers traveling at highway speeds they are nearing a store location.

The Target logo, the bulls-eye, represents both a destination and a positive achievement. The symmetry of the logo pleases the eye and is easy to remember. The Target logo is an extra large bulls-eye, which creates the sub-conscious expectation that success will be easier.

The red and white color scheme stands out against a blue sky background.The Target logo had a large advantage over other logos because of the historical significance of the target symbol.

However, the Target logo is a union of a historical symbol with modern corporate marketing. The Target logo is different enough from marksman targets that the corporate logo will never be mistaken for anything other than the brand identity. 

Target did an excellent job of crafting their version of a corporate symbol. Like many corporate logos, the Target logo evolved throughout the years.

Target Logo History & Evolution

With a relatively simple design, the Target logo has only undergone subtle changes throughout the years. However, subtle changes can be the difference between an effective logo and a failure.

Few companies have a name that so readily lends itself to symbolic representation as Target. But even with that advantage, it took Target several tries before they arrived at the iconic logo they have today.

The 1962 Logo

target logo during 1960

Video screenshot from Kaison Smith via YouTube

The original logo released in 1962 was a red and white bulls-eye logo with the “Target” name written in black scripted lettering across the front. The main difference of the original logo was that the central dot was white instead of red and there were three concentric red circles.

Although this logo is very similar to today’s logo, there are many design pros and cons:

PROS  

  • Good color scheme
  • Recognizable design

CONS

  • The white center is less eye-catching
  • The multiple concentric circles can be dizzying to look at
  • The “Target” name seems to obscure the logo

The Overall Effect

The 1962 logo is much less effective than today’s logo. The overlapping design elements and the multiple concentric circles make the logo too busy. The result is that the eye has too much to take in and interpret and as a result, the brain is not likely to associate this logo with the retail store.

Also, the target element is too similar to a marksman target which dilutes the capacity for this logo to achieve brand recognition.

The 1969 Logo

Beginning in 1969, Target experimented with incorporating their logo in advertising in unexpected ways. By then, they had reduced their logo to a central dot with two concentric circles to simplify it.

However, in 1969 they used a black and white color scheme which does not catch the eye like the final red and white design.

PROS  

  • Less busy design
  • Recognizable as a target

CONS

  • Drab black and white color scheme

The 1975 Logo

traget logo during 1970

Video screenshot from Kaison Smith via YouTube

The 1975 logo is the first iteration of the iconic Target logo we know today. However, in 1975, the bulls-eye was just a small feature of the logo. The logo featured the bulls-eye followed by “Target” written in large, black, block letters.

The 1975 bulls-eye was the modern version with the red center and the single red concentric circle. Unfortunately, the text lettering overshadowed the iconic bulls-eye in this logo.

PROS  

  • Bulls-eye is perfect
  • Good color scheme
  • Good symmetry

CONS

  • The block lettering overshadows the bulls-eye
  • The logo has too many elements to interpret at highway speeds

The 1989 Logo

target logo during 1980

Video screenshot from Kaison Smith via YouTube

In 1975, Target had come close to a perfect logo. However, before adopting the modern logo the company first had to create a marketing disaster. The 1989 logo abandoned the target symbol entirely.

Instead, they used a script version of the word “Target” written in red with a white shadow. This logo version featured none of the graphic design advantages of previous logos. Target retired the script logo after only 12 months.

PROS  

  • A dramatic change can create a wave of attention
  • The script logo fit in with the designs of the eighties and nineties

CONS

  • Logo was too hard to read
  • Logo was text only with no symbols

The 2006 Logo

target logo during 2013

Video screenshot from Kaison Smith via YouTube

target logo during 2018

Video screenshot from Kaison Smith via YouTube

It wasn’t until 2006 that Target uncoupled the target symbol from the text lettering of the store name. The result was a simple symbol and easy to recognize at a distance with a vibrant color scheme.

The 2006 logo is instantly recognizable as the symbol of the Target retail store and is versatile enough to place on an advertisement with no textual reference to the retail store and still evokes customer recognition.

The 2006 iteration of the Target logo is a textbook logo representing a high-water mark all corporate advertising departments should strive for.

Conclusion

Corporate logos have long served as a backdrop to American life. As individuals travel through cities or airports, they do so in front of a tapestry of color made up of corporate logos.

Although we are not always consciously aware of corporate logos, they constantly flash into our field of vision and our minds subconsciously note the shapes, colors, and symbols.

These symbols surround us daily, and they become intertwined with the memories of all our life experience.The modern Target logo is one of the most recognizable corporate symbols at work in US retail today. As simple as the logo is, the modern version did not come into existence until 44 years after the first Target logo.

Earlier designs contained elements of the final version. However, the earlier designs featured components that obscured the best features of the final product. Only by whittling down the original logo was Target able to reveal the iconic one they have today.

The bulls-eye has always been a symbol of a victory or a destination, and Target was smart to incorporate this symbol into their identity.

However, the early Target logos overly resembled marksman bulls-eyes, so over time, Target learned how to differentiate their logo from a sportsman symbol to a symbol of corporate identity.

The color scheme, symmetry, and simplicity of the Target logo make it an iconic design and one of the most effective corporate logos at work in the landscape of American retail stores.

Disney Logo Design, History, And Evolution

By Logo Realm Team Leave a Comment

Iconic organizations seem to have an easily identifiable logo. A great logo is an important, if subtle, ingredient to becoming an iconic organization. The Walt Disney Company is no different. Today, Disney is easily one of the most recognizable companies in the world and the Disney logo is an undeniable part of its success. Of course, it helps when your founder and original logo creator is one of the best illustrators of all time.

Though the company dates back to the 1920s, it may surprise people that many of the current elements of the logo have much more recent origins. Even the famous Walt Disney “signature” has a past that’s somewhat shrouded in mystery. Like any nearly 100-year-old company, Disney has tweaked a few things over the years to stay on top, and their logo has seen a few changes.

Let’s a take a look.

Walt Disney, the Man

Walter Elias “Walt” Disney was born on December 5, 1901, in Hermosa, Illinois. He founded Walt Disney Productions along with his brother Roy. The successful animator won 22 Academy Awards during his lifetime and founded the famous theme parks, Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

One of five children, he worked hard from a young age to help support his family. Never a good student in the traditional sense, Walt grew up daydreamer, getting his early inspirations from Mark Twain and Charles Dickens.

As a teenager, he began to draw and sold his work in his local neighborhood. He also joined the Red Cross and drove an ambulance for a year in Paris during World War I.

In 1919, he had a short stint as a newspaper artist before embarking on his well-known career as an animator, entrepreneur, and successful businessman.

At the end of 1937, Disney’s first full-length animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, had its premiere. It made a staggering $1.5 million during the Great Depression and won eight Oscars.

disney logo on walt disney studios

Over the next few years, Walt Disney Studios made a series of animated films including Pinocchio, Fantasia, and Bambi,resulting in enormous business success.

In the mid-1950s, Disneyland was opened in California. It was both an entertainment and financial success for Walt and the Disney company. Plans were made to outdo Disneyland by creating an even larger spectacle.

Walt was involved in the planning and property purchase for what would become Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida when he passed away of lung cancer at the end of 1966. He was 65 years old.

About the Walt Disney Brand

Founded in 1923, Disney is now a household name. It took a few early failures for Walt Disney to find his niche in the motion picture business, but a now-famous mouse launched him and his company on the path to success and worldwide recognition. From humble beginnings to today’s multi-billion dollar enterprise, Disney, as well as today’s company executives, grew and evolved their brand and logo in an effort to deliver on Walt’s original idea.

From the beginnings of the company, Walt’s desire was to bring happiness to people through magical experiences, “to make magical experiences come alive.” Today, remaining relevant to its guests by providing a consistent brand experience is what drives the company.

Developing the Disney logo and keeping it fresh over the years has always been part of the equation. Obviously, it knows what it’s doing since Disney has recently been named by Brand Finance as the world’s most powerful brand.

disney logo in disneyland paris

With successful movie and television ventures that generate billions of dollars in advertising and merchandise revenue, not to mention wildly popular theme parks, Disney’s future looks as magical as its past.

Famous Walt Disney Quotes

It’s not surprising that some things that Walt Disney said over the course of his life have become memorable quotes that still resonate with everyone from young children to budding entrepreneurs.

Here are some great advice from the quintessential showman and successful businessman:

  • “If you can dream it, you can do it.”
  • “I believe in being an innovator.”
  • “You’re dead if you aim only for kids. Adults are only kids grown up, anyway.”
  • “We allow no geniuses around our studio.”
  • “We believed in our idea, a family park where parents and children could have fun together.”
  • “I never called my work an ‘art’. It’s part of show business, the business of building entertainment.”

History of the Disney Logo

Making his public debut in the cartoon short, “Steamboat Willie,” Mickey Mouse was the central character that set Walt Disney on the path to success.

Not surprisingly, he played a key role in early Disney logos that featured his image along with an early version of Walt’s famous signature and the phrase “animation studios”. This logo and versions of it were used in cartoon shorts after Mickey gained popularity.

When the company began to make feature-length movies, the original Disney logo included a profile of Mickey Mouse that was animated – changing colors and revolving on screen.

It was a way of showing off the technological advancements Walt and company were making at that time. As time went on, full-length movies and television ventures featured similar logos to the early versions with tweaks made depending on the medium.

Though Mickey Mouse remained a central figure in the company’s success, perhaps surprisingly, he began to disappear from the Disney logo and Cinderella’s castle began to make its iconic appearance.

The castle and shooting star was a regular staple of Disney television specials loved by children and adults.

Evolution of the Disney Logo

black cauldron text where the first disney logo was used

Video screenshot from The Deadly Squid via YouTube

With the release of 1985’s, The Black Cauldron, the “modern” logo many identify with made its initial appearance. It included a silhouette of Cinderella’s castle (based on the Disneyland version) along with the script in various shades of blue and white.​

It would remain the logo for all Disney movies made, with little change, for the next 10 years.

Beginning with 1995’s Toy Story, the 1985 logo was swapped out for one that was more dynamic and befitting to the film it introduced. This new logo featured a computer-animated castle and colors other than the traditional light blue and white combination.

Other Disney movies got their own unique logo animation, with the original lined castle and “Walt Disney Pictures” line being used on all movies for standardization.

With the release of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest in 2006, a new “modern” logo appeared. Lasting a full 25 seconds, it was a computer-generated animation in which the camera pans backward over a dynamic kingdom-scape culminating in a “fly-over” of Cinderella’s castle. It ends by revealing the latest version of the iconic logo.

Since 2006, all movie intros have been a version of this logo-revealing sequence. The only one major change came in 2011 with the decision to drop “Walt” and “Pictures” from the title, which simply left the title, “Disney”.

The current logo has intricate detail, things like balconies, windows and a moat that captivates the movie-goer from the moment the movie reel is set in motion. True to the original logo and Walt Disney’s intention, it’s an example of the technological capabilities of the Disney company.

What Makes the Disney Logo Effective

It’s unquestioned that the Disney logo is incredibly effective. Instantly recognizable the world over, it is one of the key elements that has helped to make Disney an enormously successful company.

One of the most important elements that make the logo work is the fact that it changes along with its ever-changing audience. When the current generation seems to demand a new logo, the team at Disney can be counted on to come through for them.

It’s a good reminder that logos can be worth the time and effort it takes to create them. A company’s brand and values become instantly identified with an effective logo.

Make sure your logo is well thought-out to set your business apart. The difference between a great logo and a bad one will be measured in dollars and cents.

Elements of a Good Logo

  • It should be unique
  • It should be easy to understand
  • It should look good
  • It should be easy to remember
  • It should be relevant to your business

Conclusion

mickey mouse and the walt disney logo

The Disney logo is one of the most iconic and recognizable logos in the history of business. You would expect that from a company whose success has been long-standing with a history rich in artistic heritage.

A multi-billion dollar business should have a logo befitting its stature within its industry. But to know the story of Disney is to know of its humble beginnings.

Like most companies, it began modestly and not without setbacks. Through talent, perseverance, and hard work, the company is a world-renowned giant in the entertainment industry. Much of its success can be attributed to the decisions made by its founder and current company executives.

Creating and updating an effective logo cannot be understated as a key element to Disney’s initial and continued success. An effective logo will help any company achieve its goals.

Metallica Logo Design History and Evolution

By Eric N. Addams Leave a Comment

There are only a few bands out there that have their own logo, and even fewer that deserve them. The band has to be so famous that they’re more than just a musical act – the band has to be an institution in the industry. One of those few bands that have a deserved logo is Metallica, and that logo has seen them through many different ups and downs. As you track the changes in the Metallica logo, you can actually track how the band itself – and the way the band related to the public – changed alongside the logo.

Metallica Logo Design Elements

The current, and best-known, Metallica logo is simply the band’s name written in a stylized manner. The word itself is written normally, save for the first and last letters. The ‘M’ and ‘A’ in Metallica are both heavily elongated, giving a feel that’s both sharp and dangerous. Taken together, the name Metallica heavily evokes the spirit of heavy metal and of living on the edge.

As you might expect from one of the ur-examples of metal, the Metallica logo is silver and black. The color scheme’s reasoning is obvious, and it’s managed to stick throughout multiple iterations. The font is a specially designed font called Pastor of Muppets, a play on the title of a Metallica song designed by Ray Larabie.

Changes and Evolution

1. Shape

The shapes of the current and original Metallica logos are identical, helping to bring the band’s identity full-circle in an attempt to bring back its glory days. Between 1996 and 2008, though, it did go through a few changes. The 1996 logo drops the Pastor of Muppets font for a more straightforward version of the same, a version of the logo that looks as corporate and sanitized as the band was accused of being during that time period. The band would adopt a wilder, spiky version of the original logo in 2003 as they attempted to get back to their roots – and back to the top of the charts after a disastrous album and the near-breakup of the band.

2. Color

Metallica has moved its color scheme around a bit over the years, but it’s largely kept to silver and black. From time to time the silver will turn to white, but that’s more a nod to printing difficulties than anything else. What’s been important, though, is that the colors have always represented the heavy metal style of music with which the band is forever associated. If the band was ever to stray away from that color, it would probably indicate a major tonal shift for both the band and for its ideology.

3. Font

The font for Metallica has always been a variation on the Pastor of Muppets font. When the logo has changed, it’s largely been tied to a change in the way the band has been perceived. The 1990s logo greatly shirked the unique nature of the font for something far easier to print and that was far closer to the establishment – a nod towards the fact that Metallica was no longer an outsider but part of the mainstream. The jagged version of the font in the 21st century likely spoke to a renewed sense of energy and perhaps danger in a band that was finally revitalized. The return to the classic font is a return the roots, something that has played out fairly consistently in the band’s new music.

Influences/ Inspiration

What influenced Metallica? It’s hard to tell. The font designed for the band was an original, and the trend of bands having their own logos wasn’t necessarily still in full swing during the 1980s. It was definitely inspired by a number of other bands during the time, of course, but the primary influence seems to be the metal subculture. The sharp lines, dark colors and spiky nature all speak heavily towards the metal style of dress and general aesthetic of the 1980s.

Metallica certainly influenced a few other bands. The easiest one to point out is Megadeth, but there were countless other metal bands in the 1980s that had similar logos due to Metallica’s influence. In many ways, the Metallica logo helped to bring the metal aesthetic to the mainstream and thus it inspired countless successors.

Trivia

  • The band was formed in Los Angeles in 1981
  • Despite the band’s heavy criticism of file-sharing services, its owed a great deal of its early popularity to tape trading and bootleg recordings.
  • Metallica is considered one of hte ‘Big Four’ founders of Metal alongside Anthrax, Slayer, and Megadeth.

Conclusion

The story of the Metallica logo is the story of the band. From edgy to corporate and back, it has changed as the band’s lineup and ethos has changed. As a logo, it does something incredibly important – it tells a story.

Target Logo Design History and Evolution

By Tanya O’Donnell Leave a Comment

When it comes to the American retail space, few names are as important as Target. The big box store that has managed to keep a relatively positive reputation over the years, Target is as well-known for its branding as it is for its products. The company’s logo is iconic, but it’s actually changed a bit over the years. By taking a look at the elements of the design and the evolution of the Target logo, you can see a shift in the way that retail stores have crafted their images over the course of the last few decades.

Target Logo Design Elements

The Target logo is clever because the shape is just that – a target. The clever bullseye logo stands alone in the crowd, existing without any kind of backup in the advertising space. It’s an incredibly simple shape, one that almost any customer can pick out in the crowd. It is, in fact, such a simple shape that a consumer can probably guess the name of the store even if they’ve never seen it before. As a symbol, it’s pretty much perfect.

Red and white are the colors of the store, and they work to provide both strong contrast and a good use of negative space in the design. There’s absolutely no text usage at all in the design, which is a brave choice – it assumes that the brand is so easily identifiable that customers need no extra information to make an informed choice. The risk has, for the most part, paid off for the company.

Changes and Evolution

1. Shape

First revealed in 1962, Target’s bullseye logo has been in use for over fifty years. The actual shape of the logo hasn’t changed at all in the intervening years, staying with the same bullseye from day one. Apparently, Target found something that worked on the first try and hasn’t had any reason to change what’s worked so well – with one exception. For a brief, twelve-month period Target used a text version of the logo that quickly fizzled out and faded away.

2. Color

Red has always been Target’s color. The only thing that’s changed is the color, and that may be more of a change in printing technology than in corporate intent. The company’s original shape was a more of an orange-red, though that would fade away by the time the sixties were over. The current shade is more in line with modern advertising colors, while the original felt more at home in the 1960s. It’s a good example of how a company can modernize its logo without actually having to make major updates.

3. Font

While the modern Target logo doesn’t include a font, the original logo had the word ‘TARGET’ written across the bulls-eye in what can only be described as a very mod font. By 1975, though, that script would move to the side of the bullseye and change over to a more modern, all-caps font. After a brief, disastrous (and very 80s) font switch in 1989, Target would completely remove the font from the logo in order to let the image stand on its own.

Influences/ Inspiration

Target’s design influence definitely comes from the world of the 1960s department store. It uses a font very similar to what you’d see in JC Penny’s or Sears during that time period, combined with a visual image that seems more at home in local chain grocery stores. Once the font was decoupled from the logo, it became even more clearly associated with other big-box retailers like K-Mart and Wal-Mart.

Target’s success with its logo definitely inspired a logo switch in its main rival, Wal-Mart. The reliance on the simple image rather than the store name has been aped by a number of other companies, though most haven’t gone as far as to completely eliminate the wordmark from advertising. In this, Target seems to very much stand alone.

Trivia

  • Target was founded by Georg Draper Dayton in 1895
  • Target was originally known as The Dayton Company.
  • The big red balls outside Target stores are actually there to prevent cars from crashing into the store.
  • Target paid $1 million dollars in 1997 to help restore the Washington Monument.
  • Target’s plastic shopping cart is about fifteen pounds lighter than the conventional shopping cart.

Conclusion

Target’s decision to push all their branding around an image rather than a word is unusual, but it works. They’ve made such a strong connection between a logo and a brand that consumers don’t even need to read to know that they’re looking at something from Target. The company has managed to find the image that is worth a thousand words – perhaps one of the best realized goals in all of logo design.

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