Logo
A logo is a picture or drawing that is used by a person, group, or company to mark who they are. A wordmark, or 'logotype', is a logo made entirely of a word or words. It is usually the name of a product or organisation.[1]
A company or group can use a 'logo' on the things that they make, like on the things they sell, on letters, and in advertisements. When a person sees the logo picture, that person knows that the thing they see the logo on came from that company.
Logos can have letters and words in them. Many logos have the name of the company or group in them.
Most logos are very simple drawings with only a small number of colors. Some logos are only in black and white.
In many countries, companies and groups should tell their country's government about the logo they are using. If they do this, the government can help stop a different company or group from using the same logo, so that every one can be sure that the logo is only used by the people who used it first. This is sometimes called a 'trade mark'.
Logos are not used only by companies. Many schools have logos. Some cities have logos. Clubs can have logos. Even people can have their own logos if they want. The heraldic badge is probably the oldest form of logo in the world.
Logo Media
Three logos: NASA, IBM by Paul Rand and the International Bureau of Weights and Measures.
Coat of arms of the Chiswick Press
A coin from early 6th century BC Lydia bearing the head of a roaring lion with sun rays
The first logo to be trademarked was the Bass red triangle in 1876
Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems
The Coca-Cola logo is identifiable in other writing-systems, here written in Cyrillic.
Möbius strip used as a logo on a van in Bristol, England
References
- ↑ Aldrich-Ruenzel N. & Fennell J. 1991. Designer's guide to typography. Oxford: Phaidon. Corporate graphics and signage, 39-56. ISBN 0-7148-2706-1
