Forest products companies

Many, but not all, forest products companies show a stylized tree in their logos. Nice graphics, good product representation -- but I'm not sure exactly what kind of trees they are! Pines, maybe?


          


         

 

 

 

 

 

Where in the world is...? Matthews Asia Funds and Goldwater's Department Stores

Not many logos answer the "where" question. Two come to mind.

Matthews Asia Funds

 

Not only is the dragon gorgeous, but it also clearly reflects Matthews' geographic investment specialty.

(Note: according to folklore, Chinese dragons have five toes while Japanese ones have four. This one is artistically ambiguous.)

Goldwater's Department Stores

This logo of a department store chain that no longer exists as a separate organization combines a crisp, clear design with a very specific reference to "place". What could say Arizona more than sun and saguaro cactus? I've mentioned this one before: http://logosandotherdistractions.blogspot.com/2011/11/goldwaters-department-store.html

University of California

It turns out that some people like certain logos and not other ones. In fact, college students in particular seem to care a lot. The University of California tried to change its logo,

                         
"students, alumni and other members of our community" protested and the university back down.

http://www.mercurynews.com/education/ci_22193363/statement-from-uc-official-announcing-new-logo-has?source=pkg

Baskin Robbins

Who knew ice cream,the ultimate comfort food, could be edgy? Baskin Robbin's new logo certainly is. Below are the old ones, and then the new one. Same colors, very different type face.

    
                                     
                                   


                           

Microsoft

Microsoft's new logo combines a stylized version of the Windows four color box with a crisper, non-italic font. See below for the various transitions, as the type face gets simpler and more elegant.


While we're at it, let's take a look at how the Windows logo has evolved.

Wendy's

The hamburger chain has a new logo. The previous one had been in use since 1983.



The type face, the swirly design, and the girl's clothes and pig-tails all resonate with the "old fashioned" phrase. Very 19th century, perhaps even Western, frontier looking.

The new logo is modern, but in a casual way.



The company's press release notes that having the pigtails go outside of the circle make it more "dynamic". The font change makes a big difference. It looks the way people write these days (part printing, not really cursive) and has a casual, friendly look. The dress style is no longer visible, another way of acknowledging the past while moving forward. All in all, they've successfully tweaked and updated the design.

eBay

Start-up technology companies seem to feel free to have funky names and logos. More established companies move towards sleek, modern design elements. At least that's what I read into eBay's recent logo change from


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