A company’s logo design is one of the most important things that they will create. A company’s logo design represents their company and it is the embodiment of their company’s image and values. Over the years, as a company grows and expands, so does its logo design. Personally, I think that it is very interesting to compare a company’s original logo design to their present logo design as it can give you great insight into a company’s history and the progression of that particular brand.
The evolution of the Apple logo design is very interesting as their logo has changed greatly from its first, original design. Their now simple, sleek and stylish Apple logo design has become one of the most recognizable logos in the world. How did this iconic logo come to be?
Started in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne, Apple assembled its first computers out of Steve Jobs’ family garage. Having to stick to a strict budget, the first Apple logo was designed by Ron Wayne himself. The original logo was an overly complex, detailed picture of Isaac Newton sitting under a tree. Below the logo design, there was an inscription which read: “Newton … A Mind Forever Voyaging Through Strange Seas of Thought … Alone.”
Apple's original logo (1976)
Not long after its development, Steve Jobs decided to that he wanted to have the original Apple logo redesigned. He thought that the original Apple logo was too much like an illustration. He wanted to have a simpler logo design created for his company that could be easily reproduced in all sizes. Steve Jobs hired Rob Janoff of the Regis McKenna Agency to create Apples new logo. Rob Janoff created the iconic ‘Rainbow Apple’ logo design seen below, which was used by Apple for the next 12 years. At the time of its conception, the Apple slogan was “Byte into an Apple”. Using this as his inspiration, Janoff designed Apples new logo using an image of an apple with a bite taken out of it so as to “prevent the apple from looking like a cherry tomato.”
Apple's Rainbow logo (1976-1988)
In 1998, when Apple launched the new iMac, they changed their logo once again to the monochromatic apple logo shown below. This logo is very similar to the rainbow Apple logo design with the exception of its colour use. This new, modern and stylish Apple logo design has become one of the most iconic logo designs in the world today.
Apple's current logo
I like the Apple logo very much. I agree with Steve Jobs that their original logo was too much like an illustration. Many company's today still use illustrations for their logo designs not realizing that there is a big difference between the two. An illustration is much too complex to be used as a logo. A logo should be simple and easily recognizable and as such, it should consist of a basic symbol or design. I think that the present Apple logo accomplishes this very well. I do however, prefer the 1990's Rainbow Apple logo to the present logo design being used by Apple. Although the present Apple logo is very slick looking, I find that it is too modern and boring. I much prefer their rainbow logo design that was much more vibrant and exciting.
What do you think of the Apple logo?
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