best/worst corporate logos

[faustian bargain]

i think the symbology of a logo can be a nice by-product, but at the end of the day the function is to brand.

in fact i would say that the GM logo has symbolically about as much meaning as the audi 4-circles, albeit using a different language. 'GM' stands for 'General Motors'. it's a rather pedantic symbology, but still it's pointing to something. more important, it's very recognizable.

having said all that, i think GM's is really pretty boring compared to many other car logos. and i really don't like that fake chrome reflection effect. that kind of stuff on a logo just looks cheap to me.

 

[Brian SD]

Originally Posted by imageWIS

Exactly: it says nothing about their cars.

The Mercedes logo means: land, air, and sea. The engines built by Mercedes.

The BMW logo: A white propeller spinning in the blue sky, since the company started as an aircraft engine manufacturer.

The Audi logo: the 4 rings of the 4 companies of the Auto Union and the Silver Arrow connection.

And so on and so fourth....

Jon.

It's a fallacy that a logo needs direct reference to the product to be effective and good. Very few people understand the story behind the Audi or Mercedes or BMW logo; what's important is the style in which they're done: the font, the spacing, etc. all of which need to convey the message of the company. For GM, it's perfect. It's generic and industrial, just like the company. Many times you cant put into words everything that's great about a logo.

Trust me. The GM logo is a good one.

 

[Brian SD]

and i really don't like that fake chrome reflection effect. that kind of stuff on a logo just looks cheap to me.

Agreed. I hate stupid photoshop filters.

 

[Max]

Agreed on the photoshop chroming.

I'm not particularly fond of the GM logo, but it is what it is.

 

[Lucky Strike]

Well, not really a logo, but almost. Can't understand why nobody's posted the PanAm logo:

 

[Lucky Strike]

And a selection of Raymond Loewy-designed logos:

 

[faustian bargain]

Deleted.


here's a history of the mastercard logo:

http://www.mastercardbrandcenter.com...Id=maob_bh_bme

Edit: Guys, don't leach. imageshack is your friend. Fok.

 

[Brian SD]

Lucky, I kept forgetting to post Milton Glaser's "I <3 NY" but I kept meaning to. Glaser is a master!

 

[chrisc]

The F1 logo is pretty smart...

Lucky Strike:

Budweiser:

Packard:

 

[LabelKing]

 

[Lucky Strike]

 

[Nantucket Red]

Originally Posted by chrisc

Packard:

Actually, this is a rather crude depiction of one of the Packard hood ornaments called the "Goddess of Speed," popularly known as the "Doughnut Chaser." She did not get clear plastic wings until the '50s.

The more emblematic Packard hood ornament was the "Cormorant," which everyone took for a swan.

I posted the Packard logo and crest earlier.

 

[Hanseat]

The logo's designer Stankowski would have turned 100 these days. On that occassion the DB put together a 3 page PDF on the history of its logo. It's pretty interesting to see the developments over time. The logo is from 1974 btw. and as any good logo it doesn't loog a bit dated.

http://www.deutsche-bank.de/en/downl...go_History.pdf

That's a great logo for a great company.

 

[sonick]

Originally Posted by Lucky Strike

Blackspot.. the anti-nike

 

[Lucky Strike]

Originally Posted by sonick

Blackspot.. the anti-nike

What I like so much about it is that it is such an intended paradox: It's a very good logo whose message is anti-logo. I don't care that much for, or about, the politics, but as a visual pun, I love it.