10 Logos that Wouldn't be Made Today

The design landscape has undergone a significant transformation over the years, and logo design is no exception. What were once popular and even iconic logos can appear outdated today. Let's revisit 10 classic logos and explore why they might not be created in the same way today.

The FedEx Arrow

The 1970s-designed FedEx logo featuring an arrow between the 'E' and 'x' might seem cluttered and confusing by today's design standards. However, at the time, it served a purpose – guiding the viewer to the start and end of the word 'FedEx,' signifying speed and reliability. Despite being a classic, the simplicity and legibility often expected in modern logos might lead designers to create different solutions today.

The Apple Logo (original 1977)

Apple's original logo, a picture of Sir Isaac Newton under an apple tree, is an illustrative representation that connects to the famous Newtonian myth of the apple. It's an engaging story but not in line with the minimalist trends of modern logo design. The current apple logo, featuring a simple, bold apple with a bite taken out of it, reflects a more contemporary approach to branding.

The Pizza Hut Logo

The 1967 Pizza Hut logo, a red roofed Pizza Hut building, has undergone significant changes over the years, but the essence remains the same. This type of illustrative logo, often known as a 'device mark,' aimed to create a recognizable symbol. However, the increasing popularity of abstract and wordmark logos in recent years might lead designers to propose different ideas today.

The-blindadelphia Logo

This logo, which resembles the city name 'Philadelphia' without the 'P', was created for the price comparison website blindadelphia. This illustration could be seen as confusing and less effective compared to the transparent and straightforward logos of today. Furthermore, the logo primarily relied on the name itself for recognition, a strategy often discouraged by modern branding practices.

The Cold Jet Logo

Originally created with two circles encapsulating the brand name, the Cold Jet logo used to represent its product, a cryogenic processing system called-spowal-gun. This overly cluttered logo may be considered unnecessary and visually overwhelming compared to the clean and straightforward wordmarks commonly seen in contemporary logo design.

The VIN & SHIN Logo

With its full-face illustration and the name over the character appearing below the illustration, VIN & SHIN's logo creates a busy and hard-to-follow design. Although the design allowed for the integration of the brand and its personality, the visually dense composition might be replaced by more minimalist approaches today.

The Coca-Cola logo (1870s-1886)

The earliest Coca-Cola logo dates back to 1870 but remained the same until 1886. It featured a handwritten script that has been embraced by modern design trends, but the accompanying dragon soda bottle with two bottles at the bottom was both mysterious and complex. Today's designs prioritize simplicity and the elimination of fragmentation, resulting in logos that connect with a broader audience, not just a particular historical time.

The HSBC Logo

The HSBC logo has seen significant changes, but the original format of an embedded phoenix within intersecting circles could be considered too busy for contemporary design tastes. Minimalist logos and abstract designs, which often focus on a single character or image, have become more popular in recent years.

The Panasonic Logo

The Panasonic logo, originally designed in the 1930s and 1950s, features a wavy Scan-tone symbol. Although this illustration had a rich history and foundation, the wave-like logo does not meet the expectations of simplicity and cleanness common in modern logo design. A more straightforward representation of the brand name or an abstract symbol might be adopted in the present design landscape.

The H&M Logo

With its original gold and blue combination, the H&M logo created from two "H" characters has become iconic. However, for contemporary design, this logo fails to fit the minimalist and neutral aesthetics preferred by businesses. Today, many brands today opt for simpler and more versatile color schemes in their branding.

The shifting design preferences of the times
Illustrative vs. symbolic logos
The evolution of color palettes
The increasing importance of simplicity and legibility
Consistency in branding across platforms

Logos have come a long way since their inception, with modern designs prioritizing simplicity, minimalism, and clarity. A few manipulations in design elements, color schemes, and artistic representations over the years have led us to the desirable logos we have today. Contact Cpluz at info@cpluz.com or visit cpluz.com for professional design and hosting solutions that provide fruitful brand-consumer connections across various platforms.