Evolution of Logos from Popular Websites

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Sam Dunn

Sam is Co-Founder & Creative Director at One Mighty Roar. He is also one of the Editors here at Build Internet.

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Evolution of Logos from Popular Websites

A company brand is always evolving and sometimes the logo tags along too. I’ve roped together a collection of some logos that have undergone rather neat tweaks and adjustments over the years.

Given that the internet world is still relatively new in that grand scheme of things, internet companies don’t quite have the number of revisions as more established industries (automotive, manufacturing, etc.) might have.

I’ve tried to be as thorough as possible, feel free to voice your thoughts in the comments. Additionally, for those of you craving more logo related goodness, feel free to check out our Fonts Used in Popular Websites article.

Google

Bebo

Hotmail

AIM

Alexa

IGN

Ask

AOL

Sparknotes

Yahoo

Quicktime

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58 Comments 12 Mentions

Stefan Author Editor
I can’t look at Quicktimes new logo without thinking; what were they doing? Why didn’t anyone – someone, stop them during the process?
.-= Stefan´s last blog ..Book Review: The Art of Persuasion =-.

August 14, 2009 · Reply
2tone Author Editor
I agree with you Stefan, it´s horrible.

I personaly like the redesign of yahoo. And the new designs of sparknotes, aol and aim are good too.

Not very keen on Ask.com, i think the second choice is better.
.-= 2tone´s last blog ..swedish-organic-water =-.

August 14, 2009 · Reply
Michael Krapf Author Editor
I like logo evolution posts almost as much as I like IPhone app posts. Really! Also, crazy that I can actually remember the early Google logo. Finally, I agree completely about the quicktime logo.

Thanks
.-= Michael Krapf´s last blog ..It’s All About the Apps! =-.

August 14, 2009 · Reply
Spencer Allan Brooks Author Editor
This is one of my favorite posts! i think it’s so funny how hotmail changed so much. You never notice these things until they’re showcased like this.

August 14, 2009 · Reply
Christopher Hennis Author Editor
Nice, original and entertaining post.
.-= Christopher Hennis´s last blog ..38 Really Quality Websites to Find Free Photoshop Brushes =-.

August 15, 2009 · Reply
Joël Cox Author Editor
Someone at SparkNotes finally saw they were heading in the wrong direction. The are are back on track now, but it lost its personality.

On Quicktime: It will take some time to get used to and I guess it was made this way to flow in with the other elements in Snow Leopard. Like the iTunes logo turning blue instead of green.
.-= Joël Cox´s last blog ..Review: De wet op internet =-.

August 15, 2009 · Reply
Callum Chapman Author Editor
I think all the logos on the left side other than the quicktime logo were terrible!
.-= Callum Chapman´s last blog ..How to Design an Abstract Business Card in Photoshop =-.

August 15, 2009 · Reply
Gareth Coxon – Dot Design Author Editor
Interesting to see these evolutions side by side, SparkNotes is the most obvious improvement but judging by the first few designs it wasn’t hard! :-)
.-= Gareth Coxon – Dot Design´s last blog ..Client Focus 1: Symmetry Business Marketing =-.

August 15, 2009 · Reply
Nicholas Z. Cardot Author Editor
I like the yahoo! improvement but like some of you I don’t like quicktime’s logo either.
.-= Nicholas Z. Cardot´s last blog ..21 Mind-Buzzing Photo Manipulations =-.

August 15, 2009 · Reply
Milko Melian Author Editor
Interesting post, always like to see the before/after effects. Some are needed and others are just a lift. For Sparknotes, since first time hearing about it, I went to their website and notice it says beta. I hope they keep changing the logo. I love the Mickey Mouse transition in bebo’s logo, and Quicktime, the best one so far in this post.
.-= Milko Melian´s last blog ..Catalyst Direct Mailers – 2 =-.

August 15, 2009 · Reply
Marco Author Editor
Great post – really liked it! About QuickTime: I can’t find the new design on Apples website, are you sure it’s the correct one? I really liked the previous ones.

Anyway, stumbled and keep up the great work!
.-= Marco´s last blog ..The Polaroid Photo Viewer – Non-Full Screen =-.

August 15, 2009 · Reply
Kayla Author Editor
Great post..its fun to look at these things. I guess Hotmail couldn’t make up their minds there for awhile :P
.-= Kayla´s last blog ..The Art of User-Centric Web Design =-.

August 16, 2009 · Reply
Jacob Cass Author Editor
Wow I never knew that there were so many logo variations from these websites, thanks for putting it together Sam.
.-= Jacob Cass´s last blog ..The “Pros” and Cons of Spec Work =-.

August 16, 2009 · Reply
David Airey Author Editor
I agree, Stefan, and would say the same about IGN. Granted, the original wasn’t any better.

Cheers, Sam.
.-= David Airey´s last blog ..AIGA President Debbie Millman on spec work =-.

August 16, 2009 · Reply
Ifad Ardin Author Editor
Totally agree with Joel Cox about the Sparknotes. They are turning from red and yellow and end up with blue, definitely losing their personality.

August 16, 2009 · Reply
Zach Dunn Author Editor
Great comments so far everyone. For those of you wondering about the Quicktime logo redesign, it’s the one expected with the launch of Snow Leopard.

I think one of the most fascinating trends in these logos is the change in depth between revisions.

Most of the older logos started as a two dimensional “flat” look, and then started adding lighting effects.

Even more interesting is how sites like AIM went back to a flat look and removed any dimension after a while. Product of the Web 2.0 gloss fads wearing out?

August 16, 2009 · Reply
Brendan O’Neil Author Editor
Love the evolution of logo idea, I saw this post a while back highlighting the changes between Coca-Cola and Pepsi (http://www.248am.com/mark/design/pepsi-vs-coca-cola-logo-evolution-chart/)
.-= Brendan O’Neil´s last blog ..Red Door Interactive: Denver =-.

August 16, 2009 · Reply
Marco Moreira Author Editor
I liked more: Yahoo!
I didn´t like: Quicktime
.-= Marco Moreira´s last blog ..No Anima Mundi todo mundo vira criança =-.

August 16, 2009 · Reply
BebopDesigner Author Editor
Wow! great post. Love the Spark Notes logo, what a change… If you ask me, I think Quicktime went extreme: might be a bit slick and all but I miss the blue. What do you reckon?

August 16, 2009 · Reply
Lucas Tadeu Author Editor
Great post.And I totally agree with @stefan, what is that new quicktime logo?I really liked Bebo’s new logo.
.-= Lucas Tadeu´s last blog ..lucast182: Tips for creating a brand style guide http://bit.ly/jUmNl /great =-.

August 17, 2009 · Reply
Mike Author Editor
Great amount of research involved in this. Makes this post very valuable and useful. Love to see more logos from more companies.

August 19, 2009 · Reply
ilz Author Editor
Cool article.. some of them I didn’t even realize that they had a new logo.. and some just suuuuck!
.-= ilz´s last blog ..How to make a Dotted Line in Photoshop =-.

August 21, 2009 · Reply
Peter Yee Author Editor
Firstly, Quicktime new logo sucks.

@Zach Dunn
Actually, logos are going back to 2D. Take a look at cocacola or pepsi new logo, they are flat. Flat logos are more usable compared to 3D logo. Maybe what you showing us here are those were ‘glossed’ for certain purpose (exp: for poster, 3d video, web).

August 23, 2009 · Reply
rohnn Author Editor
interresting to see how logo change as well with branding.

when people start to know your brand you don’t need to write is’s name: red background with a huge curvy yellow M arches ? dont need company name does it. Instant recognition.

First AOL => full name
First AIM => full name
First QT => full name

Now that thos brands (or products) are well known, they hardly need any text content. Hence a better graphical logo.

As for MSN hotmail, every almost evey logo change holds a “brand/product” change as well.

August 25, 2009 · Reply
Alfredo Angeles Author Editor
somebody tell apple to go back with that quicktime logo

August 26, 2009 · Reply
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