30 Logo redesigns of 2010

An article by Himanshu Khanna    39 Comments

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30 Logo Redesigns of 2010

As the year 2010 comes to a close and everyone starts to wind up the record books and schedules preparing for the fresh diaries of the year to come, we present to you 30 of the brands that got themselves a fresh look in this year.

Airtel

Airtel, India’s telecommunication giant launched its new logo in November, 2010 to mixed reviews. The re-branding exercise has cost them about Rs. 350 crores.

Airtel Logos

Argos

Argos, the largest general-goods retailer in the United Kingdom, redesigned its logo in the very first month of 2010. Though its previous logo displayed a faint hint of a smile, this redesign makes the smile a lot more evident. Another big (online) retailer to feature a smile in its logo is Amazon. Interestingly, both Airtel and Argos are red in color and designed by Brand Union.

Argos Logos

Bausch & Lomb

“Our new corporate identity reflects the ongoing evolution of Bausch + Lomb…  around the world,” said Gerald M. Ostrov, the company’s chairman and chief executive officer. I really like the use of transparency in the redesign. It denotes two integral factors of the company’s product line – Vision & Liquid. Even the conversion of ampersand to a transparent medical symbol “plus”, is a good move, suggesting that they are open to various medical collaborations.

Bausch & Lomb Logos

Big Ten Conference

It has been one of the most featured logos of all times to showcase the classic use of negative space in Logo Design. And it just got better!

“An embedded numeral “10” in the word “BIG,” which allows fans to see “BIG” and “10” in a single word. Memorable and distinctive, the new logo evolved from the previous logo’s use of negative space and is built on the conference’s iconic name,” explained Michael Gericke of Pentagram, the design firm which has worked on the new Big Ten identity.

Big Ten Conference Logos

Brand Australia

2010 probably saw the maximum destination brand redesigns, trying to boost tourism and refresh a destination’s overall image.

Australia Unlimited, the new logo has been designed by Re, a small group of brand designers in Sydney. See the Boomerangs? They form a creative illustration of the Australian map with the island state, Tasmania, as the lower bit of right boomerang. They also happen to form arrows in opposite directions, symbolizing growth and expansion. Excellent thought!

Brand Australia Logos

Brand Hong Kong

Destination Hong Kong revises its brand after nine years. Honestly, I have always appreciated the previous identity done by Landor. If you look closely, this revision has almost retained the same dragon. The modifications – thicker nose and staring eye, are more on the downside. On the other hand, addition of tassels has made the identity more dynamic and inviting.

Brand Hong Kong Logos

Caribou Coffee

Greet the second biggest coffee retail chain of U.S. states, Caribou Coffee and its new logo. One thing that must hit you instantly is that this logo is so not a Starbucks logo, Caribou’s biggest competitor. This should work as a big asset in establishing a unique stand for the brand.

Caribou Coffee Logos

Egypt

Yes, another destination re-branded! Textured strokes in a refreshing color palette define the beauty of Egypt’s new logo. Another thing worth noticing is the representation of “t” as the famous Ankh symbol.

Egypt Logos

Gap

This one should need no explanation! The Gap controversy has been talked and tattered like none other via infographics, logo-generators, mocking twitter accounts and more.

Gap Logos

Google

A company that user tests every tint of a color before putting it into use, finally redesigns its logo! And the redesign includes decreased (almost negligible) shadow, subtle version of bevel and that is it. Apparently, this is a part of the Google’s big redesign of the overall experience. It definitely works! The next big redesign is rumored to remove the shadow and bevel completely. Aren’t you excited?

Google Logos

Honecore

Even the companies working with green materials and clean tech space, refreshed their brand image in 2010. India’s leading manufacturer of paper honeycomb, eco-friendly packaging and construction materials, Honecore, unveiled a new identity.

Honecore Logos

iTunes

The idea must have been to chuck the compact disc and highlight the musical note in the Apple iTunes Logo. As a concept, it definitely works. But does it work on the execution bit? The virtual chaos around its launch had a different story to tell.

iTunes Logos

Lending Club

The three year old startup, Lending Club, redesigned its logo in the first quarter of 2010. It is definitely a welcome change and way above its previous logo. The simple concept of lending the square to form the “i” works very well.

Lending Club Logos

Library of Congress

The new logo of the Library of Congress seems to have most of the attributes of an effective American logo. It amalgamates an open book with American Flag’s stripes to form a simple yes memorable mark. Chermayeff & Geismar deserves to be lauded for designing such an outstanding mark in 2010.

Library of Congress Logos

MD Anderson Cancer Center

One of the leading cancer research and treatment facilities in the world, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, named after Houston cotton merchant Monroe D. Anderson, introduced a new identity this year. It aims to visualize the center’s mission, “to eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation and the world.” The usage of a strike-through is definitely a brave move and I totally support it.

MD Anderson Cancer Center Logos

Myspace

2010 saw a good share of bold logo redesigns. Myspace’s new logo is probably the boldest of them all. Just like Gap, iTunes and Airtel, the logo of Myspace met with some extreme reactions.

Myspace Logos

PricewaterhouseCoopers

In another bold move in September this year, PricewaterhouseCoopers announced that they would be changing its name to PwC and unveiled an identity that moves beyond just a wordmark. Designed by the London office of Wolff Olins, the new icon of PwC, possibly represents the various verticals the company has to offer.

PricewaterhouseCoopers Logos

Scribd

With over 10 million documents published so far, the three year old Scribd gets itself a new identity. I have actually been a fan of its previous identity though I always wished that the type could be edited a bit. The latest logo is decent but the use of Archer is a little overdone lately.

Scribd Logos

Seattle’s Best Coffee

Designed by Seattle ad agency Creature, Seattle’s Best Coffee unveiled its new logo in May, 2010. It was certainly a good time to redesign SBC’s brand image as it was trying to push its distribution with various partnerships with Burger King, Subway etc. In regards to the re-branding, the new logo looks far more approachable and affordable, which seems to be a sensible approach. Moreover, this color palette for an American Coffee roaster, is a welcome change.

Seattle’s Best Coffee Logos

Skittles

The much talked or rather blogged about logo of Skittles is redesigned by Miles Newlyn in association with the design agency, Dragon Rouge. Apparently, the concept of a colorful “tongue” is a creative translation of Skittle’s slogan, “Taste the rainbow.”

Skittles Logos

Survey Monkey

The self-proclaimed “world’s leading provider of web-based survey solutions,” Survey Monkey, got itself a new monkey (logo) this year. The new logo seems very professional as opposed to the old one. Even the new icon is effective enough, forming the letter “M”. However, the type used in the logo is a tad too distracting. Overall, a decent redesign!

Survey Monkey Logos

Technicolor

I’m a movie buff! And that makes me indebted to Technicolor; Not literally though. A famous name in Hollywood, Technicolor, which created the eponymous color film processes in the early 1920s, adopted a new logo in 2010.

Even though this logo is crisp and interesting, many of us might not like the fact that it may loose its element if reproduced in a single color. Infact, I happen to appreciate the fact that brands like Technicolor, are being open to multicolored logos. And given the technology we have today, it is almost impossible to not replicate this logo in any given medium. Guess it is time to move on!

Technicolor Logos

Ubuntu

Launched in 2004, Ubuntu is one of the most popular open source operating system. Inspired by the idea of “Light,” Ubuntu changed its identity in April, 2010.

As my first reaction to the new logo, I don’t like that the visual weight of “circle of friends” icon has been decreased considerably. On the other hand, it features a new type that seems to techie, representing the open source brethren.

Ubuntu Logos

Virgin Atlantic

Ever heard of Richard Branson? Or the airline launched in 1984, under his Virgin empire?

“We’re a dynamic and innovative British company and our new livery will really make us stand out from the crowd, both in the sky and on the ground at airports all over the world,” announced Steve Ridgway, Chief Executive of Virgin Atlantic. Its new identity is as British as an airline identity could get. The best feature of the redesign is the fin stating “Virgin”.

Virgin Atlantic Logos

Water for People

With nearly twenty years in operation, Water for People “helps people in developing countries improve quality of life by supporting the development of locally sustainable drinking water resources, sanitation facilities, and hygiene education programs.” The new logo, designed by Duffy & Partners, was introduced in March, 2010. Though I like the concept and the recognition of people coming together and water droplets as reflection was visible enough, the new logo is little too slick.

Water for People Logos

Wikipedia

Yes, today is not the 1st of April and it is a redesign. Look closely!

Wikipedia launched a new logo and a new design in second quarter on 2010. The redesign, or rather, the improvements in the design are too subtle to be noticed in a glance. Nevertheless, this improvement has definitely helped in better rendering of the logo. As of now, Google and Wikipedia are competing for the best “subtle” logo redesign of the year. Your pick?

Wikipedia Logos

Workopolis

Canada’s largest job search web site, Workopolis, launched a redesigned logo, coupled with a tagline “Time to Shine.” This redesign is rather clear-cut. The only not-so-good thing about the old logo was its type. And that is exactly what the redesign seems to have improved on. Certainly a good example of a decent logo redesign!

Workopolis Logos

Yellow Pages

I am actually surprised to discover that Yellow Pages has not gone extinct yet! These days, when we check-in or tweet to announce something to one and all, who would want to pick up a directory and flip pages?

Canada’s Yellow Pages has redesigned its logo to reflect its focus on both, printed and online versions. Assuming that it is almost impossible to understand the new logo, let me state that the icon is meant to be a pebble. Nevertheless, its typography shows a major improvement. Overall, the logo looks just fine.

Yellow Pages Logos

YMCA

YMCA introduced a new identity designed by Siegel+Gale.

“The Y’s new visual system reflects our true identity: a caring, people-oriented organization that is devoted to the cause of strengthening communities.”

The move to round edges conveys a softer approach to things. One wishes the execution of the stem of “Y” as an arrow was as good as the concept itself. The new identity definitely aims to focus more on Y and not YMCA.

YMCA Logos

Your Singapore

Another destination, Singapore gets a new identity and a fresh campaign “Your Singapore” that replaces the previous “Uniquely Singapore” campaign. Its new logo follows the same path as AOL’s latest one - insert any background! The visual hook here is that these dynamic array of squares form the shape of Singapore map.

Your Singapore Logos

Of course, this is not an exhaustive list of all the redesigns of 2010 and there are many more to discuss. Which logo redesign would you like to discuss?

Which is the best and worst logo redesign of 2010? We would love to hear back and discuss in the comment section.

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