List of Most Popular Biggest Logo Redesigns in 2017: Calvin Klein to YouTube
Akash Chauhan - Digital Marketing Strategist
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2017’s Biggest Logo Redesigns
Take a look at some of the biggest logo redesigns of this year, including YouTube, eharmony, UKTV, Converse, Calvin Klein, Audi & more.
It’s hard to follow 2016’s massive year of significant and often divisive rebrands, redesigns and refreshed logos such as Uber, Instagram, NatWest and Deliveroo.
But 2017 logo redesigns continue to follow the current preference of simplistic icons that work on small digital screens; usually vector shaped, with bold colours and a legible typeface that can be used across all digital and print platforms. Brands are continuing to produce a fresh logo design that pay homage to its history, legacy and core philosophy.
So far this year, a brand’s refresh has been usually paired with a refreshed, more holistic digital interface and UX as demand for a easier online experience increases. This can be seen with Audi’s new logo and completely new UX and UI design, YouTube in similar form, and eHarmony. This year has also seen luxury brands Calvin Klein and Converse move to an even more simplified logo, attributing back to the long-established history and iconography of both brands.
Take a look at some of the biggest logo redesigns of 2017, beginning with YouTube’s recent refresh for the first time in 12 years.
YouTube
August 2017
YouTube has finally given its logo a very slight refresh after 12 years. The red "tube" which wrapped around the word has been moved to the front of the wordmark, and turned into a more recognisable icon (and more inline with what the service provides) – a play button.
As well as the new play button icon, which Christopher has described as the brand’s “unofficial shorthand”, the online video platform is getting a new typeface, colour palette and changes to its desktop and mobile app.
The original YouTube wordmark typeface – Alternate Gothic II – was from 1903, but the design was modified so that some of the letters didn’t match up; the 'U' for example. The four corners of the play button weren’t all rounded the same way either.
YouTube’s new font, logo and colour rolled out yesterday across its desktop and mobile app.
eharmony
August 2017
Online dating service eharmony has refreshed its logo after 15 years. It's introducing a new typeface, bright colour palette, photography of “success” couples, and the iconic heart has been transformed into a multi-faceted, multi-coloured icon for the eharmony app.
eharmony chief executive Grant Langston said the old logo was "frozen in time" and an "antiquated product". eharmony wanted to create a logo that acted as "signpost" to users as they virtually passed by the brand, letting them know the brand has refreshed its overall UX as well.
Designer of the new logo Shaily Savla says these four characteristics guided the tone: romantic, smart, quality and altruistic.
And as you might have noticed, eharmony got rid of the capital ‘H’ from the wordmark, because it reflected an older time of internet speak.
UKTV Originals
August 2017
UKTV’s commissioned programming service, UKTV Originals, launched a new logo featuring hand lettering from Alison Carmichael (who also refreshed Madame Tussauds’ logo). The refresh was designed by in-house agency UKTV Creative. It has been centred around the process involved in the creation of UKTV’s Originals productions, such as script writing, set design, storyboarding and editing.
“Basically, the unsung heroes that are often hidden behind the scenes,” says UKTV head of design Peter Allinson.
Converse
July 2017
Converse redesigned its long-standing logo with elements from the iconic brand’s long history.
The new identity, although expected to take a full year to completely roll out, is an attempt to create a "forward-looking" aesthetic that will resonate with "the daring spirit of youth".
The new logo replaces the previous wordmark, which had a star in the letter 'O', with a new wordmark and placement of the star chevron above it.
The company’s new purpose statement says Converse provides youth with "tools that enable movement(s)", referring to physical activity and cultural change. The star chevron acts as a visual interpretation of this.
Audi
April 2017
Although Audi’s redesign by German agency Strichpunkt focused around a unified UX across all of its digital devices, the automotive brand’s iconic logo rings also took on a more simplistic, flat, solidified form.
Strichpunkt designed, developed – and open sourced – an entirely new interface to be used across all Audi digital platforms: from inside your car to the app on your mobile or smartwatch. The identity includes a refreshed – and flattened – logo, a new typeface, specific colour palette and an icon library.
The new interface is essentially Audi's new brand identity. It was created first, rather than being an afterthought, and went on to influence Audi’s new communication media, corporate branding and motion pictures. "The visual appearance is no longer a static structure: it’s a living interface that interacts with human beings", Audi explains.
Madame Tussauds
April 2017
Hand lettering artist Alison Carmichael was commissioned by London design practice SomeOne to freshen up the logo of tourist attraction Madame Tussauds. The new logo is part of the more digital-focused rebrand of the wax figure house.
"It needed to still feel like the old Madame Tussauds logo but just a more current version," says Alison. "The whole thing needed a refresh, simplifying the forms, a bit more weight and just streamlining so that it feels more up to date."
Paired with Alison’s refined logo is newly introduced typography for sharp statements rolled out in multiple languages, as well as photographic imagery by Sorted.
Calvin Klein
February 2017
Calvin Klein discreetly released its new logo on Instagram in February – describing it as “a return to the spirit of the original”.
Acting as “an acknowledgement of the founder and foundations of the fashion”, the new logo follows a recent trend to return to company roots in a simplistic manifestation.
The new logo, all in capitals, appears to be an easier design to transform across many digital and social platforms, but doesn’t stray too far from the previous logo.
It’s created by British graphic design luminary Peter Saville in collaboration with Calvin Klein’s creative director Raf Simons.