Want to find out about the most famous logo designers who've left a lasting mark? Below, you can find interesting details about Milton Glaser, known for crafting the DC Comics, I ❤ NY logos, Paul Rand, the mastermind behind the IBM and NeXT logos, and many others.
Well-designed logos can leave a lasting impression on consumers. In this article, I explore the creativity of some influential logo designers and the iconic logos they've created.
Famous logos: IBM, UPS, Westinghouse
Paul Rand is one of the most renowned and impactful logo designers. Born in 1914 in New York City, he embarked on his career path as an art director at the tender age of 17. Rand is much feted for his iconic logos, particularly those for IBM, UPS, and Westinghouse.
Moreover, he was among pioneering graphic designers who were proponents of minimalism within logo design. So, we can assume that he set new standards in the field.
Famous logos: Nike
The Nike swoosh logo, designed by the renowned Carolyn Davidson, a creator for Nike, is instantly recognizable. Carolyn Davidson, a popular American graphic designer and the first female designer for the company, is the genius behind it. She came up with the idea for the logo in 1971 while she was studying at Portland State University.
Initially, Nike founder Phil Knight had doubts about the logo but ended up using it due to a lack of other options. Carolyn Davidson was only paid $35 for her work.
Famous logos: Geffen Records, DC Comics Warner Communications, Continental Airlines, AT&T Services
Graphic designer and filmmaker Saul Bass was hired to create eye-catching logos for various companies, including Geffen Records, DC Comics Warner Communications, and Continental Airlines. However, his most recognized achievement is the logo he made for AT&T Services. This telecommunications giant held a monopoly on phone services across Canada and the United States through a network of companies known as the Bell System.
In 1969, Bass ditched the detailed bell symbol in favor of a simpler design. He strived to produce a versatile icon suitable for use anywhere, from buildings and phone booths to print ads and letterheads. He even created a pitch video, explaining that the goal of the upgrade was to create logo designs that could be easily adjusted for both large and small applications.
Famous logos: Citibank, Coca-Cola, Tiffany & Co, Microsoft
Paula Scher has an impressive track record, being recognized as one of the best designers of famous logos. She has cooperated with multiple clients, including Citibank, Coca-Cola, Tiffany & Co, and Microsoft among many others.
Even though she started out as a record designer at CBS and Atlantic Records, Paula Scher is now renowned for her major impact on the graphic design field. She is particularly known for shaping Coca-Cola brand identity.
The brands she collaborated with had a unique charm, often boasting memorable names. Since drawing wasn't her forte, Scher heavily relied on typography to enhance brand recognition.
Famous logos: Apple
Without a doubt, one of the most legendary logos in history belongs to Apple. The company hit the jackpot when they brought Rob Janoff onto the team. Although Steve Jobs initially came up with the idea for the brand's logo, he later brought in Rob Janoff, the creator of Apple, who designed the iconic half-bitten, rainbow Apple logo.
Janoff advocated for simplicity because he believed that complex images were difficult for people to remember. Instead, he chose a half-bitten apple because it sparks curiosity, has immediate appeal, and sticks in the memory.
Furthermore, it captures the essence of the brand—being user-friendly, dependable, and symbolic of the wealth of knowledge consumers can explore.
Famous logos: I ❤ NY, DC Comics
Milton Glaser is widely recognized as one of the greatest logo graphic designers ever. He's designed some of the most distinguished logos, like the I ❤ NY logo and the DC Comics logo. Glaser was a firm believer that a successful logo should be clear, unique, and unforgettable. He had a talent for utilizing color and typography to produce impactful visuals.
Glaser is especially praised for the I ❤ NY logo. Its straightforward yet bold design, incorporating a heart to symbolize "love," has propelled it to become one of the most universally recognizable logos. Serving as a cultural icon, the logo's influence is evident through numerous imitations and parodies it has inspired.
Famous logos: NBC, Chase Bank, PBS
Ivan Chermayeff was born in 1932 in London, England. He co-founded the design firm Chermayeff & Geismar with Tom Geismar in 1955. He gained recognition for his contemporary and minimalist designs. Among Chermayeff's most celebrated logos are those created for NBC, Chase Bank, and PBS.
Chermayeff always demonstrates versatility in design. His portfolio includes manifold types of graphic design, including corporate logos, posters, exhibitions, and environmental graphics.
Famous logos: Verizon, Mastercard, MIT Media Lab
Michael Bierut is a logo designer and partner at the renowned design firm Pentagram. He has made logos for some of the largest global brands such as Verizon, Mastercard, and MIT Media Lab. Bierut emphasizes the importance of simplicity, memorability, and adaptability in a good logo. He excels at leveraging typography to produce striking visuals.
His most successful work is logo design for Mastercard. The logo's simplicity, with its overlapping circles and bold typography, is easy to remember and recognize. Despite undergoing various revisions over time, the core design of the logo remains intact.
Famous logos: Mother & Child, Avant Garde
Herb Lubalin was a prominent graphic designer artist acclaimed for his expertise in typography. He created some of the most distinctive logos, including those for Mother & Child magazine and Avant Garde magazine. Lubalin stressed the significance of logos being expressive, unforgettable, and evocative. He was highly skilled at employing typography for designing catchy logos.
Lubalin is best known for this Mother & Child logo. He opted for straightforward, prominent typography and proper usage of negative space. Thus, he formed the image of a mother and child that is recognized as one of the most memorable creations.
Famous logos: Victoria & Albert Museum, Reuters
Alan Fletcher breathed life into his designs through intricate typography. He used this approach when working on projects for the Victoria & Albert Museum. He skillfully conveyed the museum's historical significance with sophisticated black-and-white palettes. His designs stood the test of time and remained both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
In 1965, he also created the logo for the international news agency Reuters. It shared the same user-friendly design and flexibility seen in his earlier projects.
Famous logos: American Airlines, Bloomingdale's, IBM
Talking about famous logos and their designers, we can’t skip Massimo Vignelli. He is widely celebrated for creating beautiful logos that have made a significant mark in the world of graphic design. Among his most famous designs are the logos for American Airlines, Bloomingdale's, and IBM.
Vignelli was famed for his clean and contemporary design style. He opted for simple lines, striking fonts, and practicality. His works are frequently referenced as benchmarks of timeless and enduring graphic design.
Famous logos: Chupa Chups
Salvador Dalí was born in Spain in 1904. He is a painter and graphic artist, who shaped the design of the 20th century a lot. He gained fame for his surrealist paintings with peculiar and fantastical imagery. In 1969, Dalí created the logo for Chupa Chups, which remains in use even today.
Famous logos: Chase, NBC, Cartier
Sagi Haviv holds a partnership position at Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv, a top-tier graphic design company renowned worldwide. Among his notable achievements are the iconic logos he made for Chase, NBC, and Cartier.
Sagi Haviv is also a skilled author and speaker meetings dedicated to branding and logo design. He has shared his valuable insights and knowledge at conferences, workshops, and educational institutions. His speeches are a source of inspiration for aspiring designers and digital artists.
Famous logos: "Jumpman" Nike
Tinker Hatfield stands out as one of the most prolific creators of clothing design logos. He made a significant impact on athletic footwear design and brand identity. Prior to focusing on footwear, Hatfield pursued architecture studies at the University of Oregon. His architectural background greatly influenced his design approach. He always prioritizes form, function, and innovation.
Tinker Hatfield played a pivotal role in designing and developing numerous logos for Nike. For instance, he made the renowned "Jumpman" logo, which depicts basketball legend Michael Jordan mid-slam dunk. This emblem has become synonymous with the Air Jordan brand and is instantly identifiable across the globe.
Famous logos: Nasa
Back in 1994, James Modarelli was asked to revamp the traditional NASA logo. Taking cues from spacecraft shapes and patterns, Modarelli produced a design that seamlessly integrated elements such as stars and planets. This infusion gave the logo a sleek and futuristic appearance.
Modarelli, with a background in electrical and mechanical engineering, brought his technical know-how to the table when it came to designing logos. His knowledge of intricate systems and technical prowess came in handy when he worked on designs. As a result, he was able to craft visually captivating symbols that were also conceptually solid.
As a rule, the most iconic graphic design ideas and projects are born from the cooperation of several specialists in their fields, as they can complement each other. Logo designers also often partner with others, creating mesmerizing logos that are recognizable around the world.
Ivan Chermayeff and Tom Geismar teamed up with Sagi Haviv back in 1957 to establish the prestigious design firm called Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv (CGH).
Over the years, CGH has created some of the most legendary logos ever seen. They made logos for NBC, Chase Bank, National Geographic, and Mobil Oil. Their designs are known for simplicity, flexibility, and enduring charm, instantly becoming synonymous with the brands they represent.
Wally Olins and Michael Wolff joined forces to establish the design consultancy Wolff Olins in London back in 1965.
Wolff Olins has spearheaded several groundbreaking logo designs, including those for British Telecom, Tate Modern, and the London 2012 Olympics. Their inventive approach to branding has revolutionized the visual representations of organizations around the globe. They combined strategic planning with creative brilliance to produce memorable and influential designs.
In 1986, Steve Jobs hired a seasoned graphic designer Paul Rand to create the logo for his latest computer venture, NeXT.
Paul Rand conceived a sleek and minimalist logo for NeXT. It had the company name in a distinct typography, notably with the letter "e" angled precisely. Such design perfectly reflected the innovative ethos of the company, becoming a cornerstone of its identity. Even after NeXT was eventually acquired by Apple, the logo endured as a testament to the fruitful collaboration between forward-thinking leaders and skilled designers.
Even as you quickly flip through the pages of history on graphic design, typography and symbols have always remained imperatively constant.
From the 1950s, it is evident that logo design had more importance. This was due to the ever-increasing focus on beautiful marketing campaigns to catch customers and waste as much money as they have. It is no wonder that graphic design has become quite a popular career in the modern world. The reason is that logo is the first thing you need for any brand.
Currently, creating graphics is easier than it was in the past, and almost all famous logo designers use Adobe Illustrator as a main tool because there are so many tutorials on all languages so anyone can master it.
I suggest choosing the Creative Cloud All Apps plan. It contains all the needed tools for logo and other graphic design tasks. Users receive Illustrator and a range of other programs that can prove invaluable. With such a comprehensive pack, you can add specific filters, animate your logo for presentations, access stock content, or explore other specialized options for creative logo design.
If you are looking to create a functional logo for your company that conveys its values, is recognizable and unique, here are some key considerations:
A good logo is modern, has a recognizable tone, and has timeless allure. Besides, it should be easy to remember and motivate clients to take further steps.
