A warm welcome to all my devoted readers…today I come with good news for all graphic and logo designers. It gives me great pleasure to announce the launch of Logo Blog’s very own “Logo Design Gallery”. The sole aim of this effort is provide aspiring graphic designers the perfect platform to thrive upon and showcase their creative flair to the logo design world.

The idea of creating a Logo Design Gallery came as a solution for those aspiring and less privileged graphic and logo designers who cannot make the limelight because of insufficient exposure in the market. This gallery is another step forward from Logoblog.org in contributing towards the betterment of the logo design industry.

Without any hassle, you can submit your logos for display and get ratings on them from other designers. You can build your complete portfolio by adding more logos anytime you want. Moreover, the gallery showcases the “logos of the week” by displaying the best logos under the spotlight.

I hope the Logo Design Gallery will prove to be useful in providing logo designers the opportunities they deserve. Please don’t forget to share your views and comments regarding the Logo Design Gallery experience with us.

We are well accquainted with world famous brands and their renowned logo designs but some interesting facts about these brands/logos are not known. Being at the pinnacle of the corporate world, we continuosly get to read the bizzare history of these famous logo designs. However, their past holds some amazing facts that you will be surprised to learn.

Today, I share the unknown tales about the most recognized corporate logos of the modern world.

These brands have faced the test of times to reach where they are at present. Their story revolves around some astonishing realities that most of us never heed.

So go ahead and start reading the unbelievable truths about these famous brands:  

1) Nike – From Cheap to Famous:

The all famous logo design “Nike Swoosh”, the basis of a multi-million dollar empire, was created for a paltry $35. Amazingly, the brainchild behind this renowned logo design was a graphic design student at Portland State University, Carolyn Davidson. Previously named Blue

Ribbon Sports, David was asked by his teacher to do some work for the company. Due to a deadline on his head, his Swoosh was accepted in desperation

2) DreamWorks SKG – The Mysterious Kid:

The well-acclaimed Hollywood studio was established in 1994 by Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg, and David Geffen (SKG). Its logo design has a very interesting tale. Initially, the project was assigned to a company named Industrial Light and Magic with an idea of a man fishing on the moon. But Dennis Muren, the Visual Effects Supervisor, suggested a handmade logo would look better. For this purpose Robert Hunt was hired who came

up with the present historical logo, featuring his own son, William. This logo design became the face of DreamWorks SKG.

3) Coca-Cola – The Drug turned Cola:

Ever thought the beverage you love the most was first sold as a drug? That’s the case of Coca Cola. The Billion dollar company was originated by John Pemberton as a drugstore in 1885. He introduced a drug called French Wine Coca, which was targeted for people with extreme mental exertion. But then the tables turned for Coca Cola in 1886 when the prohibition law was passed banning alcohol. Hence Coca Cola, a non-alcoholic version of

French Wine Coca was introduced to suffice the prohibition laws. That is how a world renowned beverage “Coca-Cola” came into existence.

4) Hugo Boss – Nazi sponsor:

Hugo Boss, the well-acclaimed fashion designer brand, began as a clothing company in 1924 in Metzingen. However, due to the adverse financial conditions in Germany, Boss went into bankruptcy in 1930. But this did not stop Hugo as he set up a new business and in 1931 became an active member of the Nazi party. With the arrival of Adolf Hitler in 1933, Hugo Boss’s fortunes began to flourish as he became an official supplier of all German uniforms. The all-black uniform of the Nazi Schutzstaffel(SS), was jointly designed by Prof. Dr. Karl Diebitsch and graphic designer Walter Heck. Hugo Boss also produced the brown SA shirts and the black

-and-brown uniforms of the Hitler Youth. After the Nazi regime was trounced in 1945, Boss was indicted for Nazism and use of forced labor and was ordered to pay a fine. He died in 1948 but his business survived and grew into what is now the pioneer in fashion designing.

5) Marlboro Cigarettes – For Females Smokers:

Marlboro cigarette, known for its “manly” orientation, began as a female brand cigarette. The campaign was targeted to female smokers and the brand was projected as a mild cigarette. But these efforts failed and finally the brand was taken off the market. Then in the 1950’s, Marlboro was re-introduced as a filtered cigarette, an attempt to win over the health conscious audience and also claimed to be a men cigarette brand. The official symbol used was the “tattooed man”. This gave way for Marlboro to grow into most popular cigarette brand.

6) Sharp – Aftermath of an Earthquake:

No one could have imagined that an earthquake could result in the formation of a world class electronics corporation. Tokuji Hayakawa owned a metal workshop in Tokyo in 1912 where he invented a mechanical pencil called “Ever-Ready Sharp”. Gradually as things were starting to look good for Hayakawa, the Great Kanto Earthquake hit Tokyo in 1923. That destroyed Kayakawa’s workshop. With nothing left, the pencil inventor sold his patent and moved to Osaka where he tried out something new. This is when Kayakawa turned

his pencil making business into an electronics business. So now we know that there was never a person named Sharp. It was just the pencils that the multi-million dollar corporation was named after.

7) Siemens – Facilitated Hitler Propaganda:

Siemens, the Germany based conglomerate, is the leading engineering corporation. Although the company is famous worldwide, but it has a notorious past that many of you might not have heard of. Prior to the start of World War II, Siemens was involved in financially supporting the Nazi Party. During the Second World War, Siemens supported the Hitler regime, and played a part

in spreading the "Nazi" doctrine. Siemens owned many factories near the infamous concentration camps and built electric switches for military uses. The Siemens logo can still be seen on the gas chambers at Buchenwald camp.

Today was Cookie Monster and yesterday was Big Bird. What other characters will Google feature? Most likely the very popular Elmo will make an appearance.

It’s hard to keep a child’s attention span for very long, but Sesame Street has done a great job keeping kids both entertained and educated. Since the show has been around for so long, even adults have fond memories and favorite characters. The adults have passed on the tradition and perhaps Sesame Street will have another 40 yrs to go! Happy Birthday Sesame Street!

-Nora Reed

Of course the pumpkin is a great, classic symbol for Halloween, Thanksgiving and the Fall season in general. It’s one of the first things anyone thinks of when this time of year rolls around. They symbol is used in many logos to show their festive side and it is a great image for artistic creations. Here, YouTube replaces their known TV symbol with a square shaped pumpkin for that perfect Fall season feel.

Apple’s logo transforms from an apple to a pumpkin pretty easily, although I only think the stem should have been green or brown. Apple does traditionally use one color for their logo, so I guess they were staying consistent to their theme and brand identity.

How can there be a Halloween without the constant replaying of one of the many Halloween movies? The buildup to Halloween is one of the best parts of the holiday. It’s fun to look forward to a month or week of scary movies, decorated houses and stores overstocked with candy. The movies have always been my favorite part. When it comes to great horror films, new titles are always fun and refreshing, but on that particular night, tradition is always the better way to go.

I personally enjoy when candy companies create Halloween themes for their candy wrappers. This is the biggest day of the year for them so it would make sense for them to go all out.

Every year, it seems like new Halloween stores pop up, but since costumes are expensive, some competition is a good thing.

Google, being known for its constantly changing logo, also participates every year in showing off a great Halloween design. These are a few nice ones from the past, but I am looking forward to seeing what they come up with for this year.

Have a fun and safe Halloween!

-Nora Reed

It seems to be a given that President Obama’s logo would make it to pumpkin carving popularity. I’m sure many doorsteps will have this one on display this Halloween.

Mickey on a pumpkin in a common site around this time. Disney theme parks have their own Halloween celebration, in which their logo has a mickey face made out of pumpkins on advertisements for their attraction.

This carving required some skill, mostly because the frog’s hand is standing up on it’s own. I have attempted these kind of pumpkin carving designs and the unsupported piece of pumpkin always seems to sink in or collapse from the heat of the candle inside. I assumed it was the famous WB frog, isn’t it?

The Starbucks logo looks great this way and there are no actual cuts made into the pumpkin. It’s an interesting technique.

I think it’s scary that the Twitter site crashes so much that the image of the flying whale from their “over capacity” page is this well known that someone carved it into a pumpkin. You would think Twitter would have fixed that by now, considering how often it is used.

Out of dedication to all you bloggers out there, I am happy to the throw the wordpress logo into this mix. With so many great ideas, pumpkin carving takes a whole new turn this season, bringing so many famous logos to light. I can’t wait to see them all displayed! Happy Carving!

-Nora Reed

Sidewalk chalk art is usually referred to as street painting, which started throughout Europe during the 16th century. During that time, original street painters created religious images during festivals or in front of churches. Even the movie “Mary Poppins” brought light to this form of artwork when the characters jump into the designs on the street before the rain washes them away.

The chalk drawings below are the great works of Julian Beever and Kurt Wenner. Although both artists have different styles, together they create these beautiful 3D illusions. It’s pretty hard to tell what’s real and what isn’t, but take a look for yourself. They are truly an inspiration.

This is a great image of an old fashioned Coca-Cola bottle. Too bad that the shine covers up most of the logo!

This is great advertising for Sony. They must’ve sponsored this design, bringing advertising to another level. You can’t possibly ignore a giant computer hand drawn at your feet.

It’s all about the perspective. You just need to see it at the right angle. Below is a series of photos in which Julian Beever creates different scenarios to show progression …I can’t even imagine how long this must have taken.

Now you can see how it’s done! It looks so odd to see it at the wrong angle. Notice the Coca-Cola product placement all over the above images.

I think the Batman and Spiderman creations are the most creative of them all. It really takes your breath away and is extremely believable.

What an amazing talent. I couldn’t imagine working so hard on something that the rain will wash away. Sidewalk art is a truly inspirational art form. Enjoy!

-Nora Reed

Abduzeedo

Abduzeedo has a great neon sign approach, which adds a lot of character. Other than the header, the design is simply a black background but nicely done and elegant.

Creative Nerds

The red background brings out the warm colors of the fire design. I think the fire is a great indicator of creative thinking.

Logo Design Love

I love how the blog name is set up as one word, but separated by a color difference rather than spaces. The logo covers the entire top of the page like a newspaper headline. The additional heart is the perfect way to tie it all together and add a bright color to the black and gray.

Noupe

Noupe has a great color scheme, in which the accents of pink really bring out the design, although they recently changed their look, to a pale blue background with navy lettering. The pink is still present and still ties the logo together nicely. Without the pink, it would be much more lifeless. I do think that all of the lettering should have a background shadow, it would help it jump off the page.

Outlaw Design Blog

This look is perfect for the name. Outlaw Design Blog has the great stencil look of the old west. It reminds me of lettering that would be painted on the wall of an old saloon. I like the new design a lot better now. It is much more creative and works great with the letting, although it would look nice if there was an added lasso or horse somewhere within the lettering or alongside it. It’s just such a great theme that there are so many interesting ways to take it and run with it.

Web Design Ledger

I love the wrinkled background with the subtle stripes, but I think that the lettering would benefit from some color or shadow. It just seems too plain for the interesting start going on in the background. The actual site does have a lot going on, so something plain is more beneficial to the design.

Blog. Spoon Graphics

This is such a busy logo but it works well. It demonstrates what it promises: good graphics!

Pro Blogger

Pro Blogger has a very bold design, in which the letters stand out and seem to shout at you. The “P” symbol on the side is an innovative and modern concept.

Techguy Tales

I’m not sure how they can get away with this one. Are they ignoring copyright laws? I’m surprised that the representation for Family Guy has not shut this down for stealing their angry monkey image, but it makes sense nonetheless and works for the theme.

Celebrity Gossip

This design works perfect for its purpose. The large pink star in the logo is reminiscent of the celebrity walk of fame and the fashionists in front of the star represent typical gossiping girls. Good gossip is always fun!

Little Box of Ideas

The thought bubble emerging from the “i” in “ideas” is a fantastic little touch to this logo design, however I don’t fully know what the face represents. Is this the author in cartoon form? The design concept is very clever and demonstrates exactly what it is, a release of thoughts and ideas!

Crazy Leaf Design Blog

I would be disappointed if there were not a leaf somewhere in this logo, although it somewhat resembles a feather. I love how the background and lettering have a shaded effect and don’t just look like solid colors.

Design O’ Blog

I like how the mouse is interpreted within the logo, considering it seems to be Niki Brown’s mascot. It’s cute and inviting and follows a fun, freehand text.

Cats Who Code

Simple and creative. Cats who code has a fun cartoon cat figure typing on a mac. I’m surprised Apple hasn’t forced them to change it with their paranoia over logo theft, although it seems there are many blog headers that include macs in their design.

The Design Mag

The coloring of the word “design” is what sets this concept apart from others. It looks to me like the sunset on a flat horizon and delivers a comforting feeling, yet appears professional. 

Smashing Magazine

Smashing magazine is anther great example of an interesting logo. You can’t miss that giant “S” as soon as you see it.

When I search other blogs, I generally search by article and go after what is most compelling, no matter what blogger wrote it. Others often check specific sites everyday in search of more content. I don’t know which method is more common. With so many great logo and header designs, it’s hard to tell if those are the sole attraction to blog sites or if there is much more to it and the logo or header are just part of the entire package.  What do you think?

-Nora Reed

The major networks use very simple ideas but have  progressed a lot over time. Often, their changes have included creating 3D concepts and adding more modern graphics. The BBC added a blue back light to their HD logo and I had seen a few versions of a 3 dimensional NBC peacock.

The Syfy channel changed their spelling and their logo. They dropped the Saturn symbol and adopted a new font instead. I think I will miss the Saturn symbol. It added a futuristic presence.

I think people often take TV channel logos for granted. They appear as tiny icons at the bottom corner of the screen and are more overlooked than noticed. They at least tell you what channel you are on if you land on it, but a lot of work actually goes into their design, just like any logo. Next time you are surfing for that perfect show to watch, take a look at the network logo and you may appreciate it a bit more.

-Nora Reed

Sports and active competition are a major part of  our society. Most days of the week are dedicated to some sporting  event and we just can’t get enough of it. Just like most things, sports can open the door for other marketing opportunities like TV commercials, merchandise sales or team logos. Everyone knows the major designs for our most famous sports teams, but what about some of the lesser known ones? In the world of recreational sports, there are a ton of smaller, non-professional teams that have worked hard and created logos that are just as good as the famous ones.

With some inspiration from the NFL logo, the Mount Lawley indoor soccer team uses a shield to express its strength and it stands out with a bold, black line surrounding it. The ink splatter makes it more unique and gives it a distinct look. The spots that are left on the white background somewhat resemble the black and white of a soccer ball.

Simple and to the point. Outlaw Motor Sports sticks to only a few warm colors that compliment each other and don’t overkill the design. The text looks like a low sunset at the bottom of a mountain with the yellow fading into the red.

I love how the “M” and the horse’s legs seem to run together in this design for the Medaille Mavericks. The design has potential, but does not seem complete to me. The “M” could be reworked a little to flow better and some yellow highlights on the horse may help a lot.

I’m not sure why this monkey is kick boxing or how the monkey itself represents anything that has to do with kick boxing, but perhaps that is the idea behind this logo. It may be meant to cause you to question it. It looks like it is done well, simple, limited color use and memorable, but the monkey just confuses me. At least it does stand out.

The Seattle Orca logo is a great visual for team logos. It has the orca whale as the main focus with a football on its fin as if it’s holding it. The Space Needle in the background is a great addition, representing Seattle and the text is a perfect representation of sea life. Overall, the logo has everything and works great.

I know this qualifies as a video game, but since it also forces you to get off the couch and work those muscles, Wii Sports Resort also qualifies as a recreational sport. The logo is just blue text, but the font used for the word sports has an italicized look as if it is leaning from a swift wind blowing by. It’s a nice, subtle touch that seems to carry a feel of energy.

Magic is a race against your other opponents and also works as a social event. Like most card games, interaction with others is involved and Magic brings the fantasy element to the table. The logo has that fantasy/sci-fi look, like something right out of the pages of a book of spells. This version of the logo briefly demonstrate the detailed work that is displayed on each individual card. They all represent different things depending on what the card is about, but the artwork is pretty amazing in itself.

Uno has a very simple logo with bold, block lettering. The letters have a sleek shine and 3D effect. On the box cover, there is a plain, red background, but the individual cards have the “Uno” name within a red oval with a black background. This oval carries on to all the other cards thereafter.

Sports and logo designs seem to go hand in hand. Every team needs a great logo. If they didn’t have one, what would they display on their shirts or helmets? Recreational games are an enjoyable part of all our lives, why not get involved?

-Nora Reed

I like to show this one first, because I think it’s great. The Cake Shop logo has a well done design that is very appealing to the eye. The curly lettering makes the design appear both professional and fun. The emblem to the left shows an elegant, almost gift like cake and the black background brings some formality to it. This cake shop seems like a place where one would shop for their wedding cake.

Piece of Cake also has an elegant look with the roses, which add a lot of color to an otherwise monotone piece. Although, I don’t think I really like the way the cake is toppling over at the top. It implies that a real cake from them may do so as well. That’s something I know I would like to avoid.

Simple and does the trick. As a cheesecake shop, Cheesy Affairs displays a cheesecake slice within the logo and a golden brown color, which is usually associated with cheesecake.

I can see where this one is going, but frankly, I think it is quite boring. three stacked rectangles may imply a cake, but the design is too plain and simple and looks to me like a first draft of a logo that has yet to be finished. The lettering works well, but the attempt on the cake needs a total redesign.

The same goes for Adam’s Cake Shop. This logo looks like it is still in the working process. The logo lacks color and personality and the drawing of the man is not proportioned correctly. It looks like his arm is awkwardly emerging from his side. His shoulder looks like it’s dislocated.

This last one may not be for a cake shop, but if applied to a name, it certainly would work for one. It’s simple and looks appetizing, although some color would help.

A logo really does help sell a business. These shops would not be nearly as appealing without their logos to help jump start one’s appetite for sweets. Now I am getting hungry and think I might take up baking as a hobby.

-Nora Reed