18 Classic Logos That Have Drastically Changed
Many well-known brands have changed their logos over the years to reflect new tastes better, changing trends, and their growing identities. When a brand changes its logo, it usually wants its audience to see it differently. This could mean the brand wants to be seen as simpler, bolder, or more modern.
- Tricia Quitales
- 6 min read
Logos aren’t just pictures; they show what a company stands for, what it stands for, and what it wants to do. Many companies have changed their logos to stay current, make their image more modern, or reach out to new groups of people. This article discusses 18 well-known logos that have changed a lot over the years, showing how brands have changed to reflect changes in culture, market trends, and business growth.
1. Pepsi
Unknown author on Wikimedia
There have been many changes to Pepsi’s logo over the years, but the biggest was when it went from a simple, old-fashioned design to a more modern, globe-shaped in 2008. The newer logo has a shape that is more dynamic and curved to show movement and energy. Pepsi wanted to appeal to younger, more trendy people with this redesign.
2. Apple
Rob Janoff on Wikimedia
At first, Apple’s logo was a detailed picture of a cut-open apple. Over time, it has changed into the simple, clean apple shape we see today. Apple’s focus on modernity and sleekness can be seen in its shift toward a minimalist design, which is also true of its products.
3. Starbucks
parikansh k on Pexels
Starbucks’s logo was very complicated, featuring a mermaid with two tails. Over time, the logo was simplified. The last change was in 2011, when the company’s name was removed completely, leaving only the mermaid. Putting all of the brand’s weight on one iconic image to represent it around the world was a risky way to build brand recognition.
4. Google
DylanPATMN on Wikimedia
Google’s logo has been changed many times. The most noticeable change was in 2015 when it went from a multidimensional serif font to a simple, flat, sans-serif design. The new design shows that Google is trying to be more modern and simple. It also fits with Google’s goal of making all its platforms’ web design more user-friendly and responsive.
5. Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola on Wikimedia
The famous script in Coca-Cola’s logo has stayed mostly the same over the years, but the design has become simpler. The most noticeable change was when it went from having a very detailed and fancy script to a simpler, cleaner design in the 1960s. This showed that Coca-Cola wanted to stay classic while still being easy to reach.
6. Nike
Ox Street on Pexels
The “Swoosh,” Nike’s famous logo, hasn’t changed much since it was first made in 1971. What has changed is how it’s used. The Swoosh started with more details and got bigger and bolder over time. The simplification was in line with Nike’s efforts to make a stronger, more recognizable logo that would stand out around the world.
7. Instagram
Instagram / Ian Spalter, Joy-Vincent Niemantsverdriet, Eric Goud, Robert Padbury on Wikimedia
The first Instagram logo was a colorful and detailed camera icon. In 2016, it was drastically simplified to a flat, gradient-style design. The new logo made Instagram look more modern and clean, focusing on simplicity. The change was part of the app’s growth as a platform that focuses more on photos and content made by users.
8. Shell
Nopple on Wikimedia
Shell’s logo used to be a detailed drawing of a seashell, but over the years, it has changed many times, becoming less detailed and more stylized. By the 1970s, the design had changed to the clean, bright yellow and red one we see today. The logo changed over time to reflect the need for a modern symbol that is easily recognizable in a global market.
9. Burger King
SHOX art on Pexels
The Burger King logo has undergone many big changes. It used to be a complicated emblem, but now it’s simpler and more fun. In 1999, the brand changed its logo to a simpler one that looked like a stylized burger. This was the biggest change, and it helped the brand focus on what it does best and reach a younger audience.
10. Ford
Pixabay on Pexels
The classic blue oval Ford logo has stayed mostly the same over the years, but it has undergone some big changes in appearance. The logo changed the most when it became more streamlined and three-dimensional in the early 2000s. Thanks to the change in design, Ford now looks more modern and forward-thinking to customers.
11. Yahoo!
ZyMOS on Wikimedia
The original Yahoo! logo had a purple exclamation point. It has changed a lot over the years. In 2019, the logo got a more modern, clean font and some minor changes to the icons. This was the most significant redesign. This change showed that Yahoo! was trying to update its old image for the digital age.
12. Audi
Heierlon on Wikimedia
The design of Audi’s four-ring logo hasn’t changed much over the years, but it has undergone several changes in color and shape. In the late 2000s, the rings underwent the biggest change. They became more refined and three-dimensional, which gave them a more modern, sleek look. The goal of the redesign was to make Audi a brand of high-end, performance-focused cars.
13. LEGO
Lego on Wikimedia
Over the years, LEGO’s logo has changed from a simple, bold design to a more fun and colorful one. In the 1990s, the company changed the logo to make it more fluid and dynamic, linking it to imagination and creativity. The redesign helped LEGO adapt to changing tastes among kids and become a more well-known brand around the world.
14. McDonald’s
ProTheGoodGuy on Wikimedia
McDonald’s golden arches have always been a big part of the brand, but the logo has changed in small ways over the years. The most important change was making the arches simpler and less complicated in the 1960s. This change helped McDonald’s make its logo more famous and easy to recognize.
15. Microsoft
Purnendu Karmakar on Wikimedia
Microsoft’s first logo had a lot of text and a rainbow of colors to show that it was focused on technology and new ideas. In 2012, however, the multicolored font was changed to a clean, square logo with a simple four-color window pane. This big change made Microsoft’s transformation into a simpler, more modern tech company stand out.
16. PepsiCo
Michael Wall on Wikimedia
PepsiCo has changed its logo many times to stay ahead of new design trends. The biggest change happened in 2008, when the logo got a new look that was more colorful and lively, like a globe. The redesign kept the brand’s core values of fun and refreshment while making it more appealing to a younger, more global audience.
17. The Olympics
Public domain on Wikimedia
The Olympic logo has been changed many times. The most noticeable change happened in 1988 when the traditional five rings were made simpler and more modern. Over time, the rings became less rigid and more fluid, showing how the Olympics have become a more modern, global, and open event for everyone.
18. Mastercard
company logos on Wikimedia
Mastercard’s logo used to be more complicated, with interlocked circles and hard-to-read text. In 2016, only two overlapping red and yellow circles were added to the logo to make it look more modern and clean. The goal of this change was to make the logo easier to recognize and work on computers, phones, and other digital devices.