Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Hidden meanings behind 8 famous logos

Logo is a shortcut for the word logotype, which is a recognizable graphic design element, representing an organization or product.

Some logos can be a fail and some are amazing. Nobody would like to be categorized in the fail department of course. For most start-up companies without one yet, I am sure that you are doing extensive research on what your logo will mean to your company and also know how it will appear from another persons point of view.

Here are some examples you can draw inspiration on while conceptualizing your own logo:

1. Carrefour

carrefour logo hidden meaning

Others who aren't familiar with this might see this as just two arrows pointing on different directions. If you try and find the letter "C", you will be surprised that there is indeed a letter "C" in the logo. I personally admit that I've never seen the letter C before and just thought that this was just another company logo.

2. FedEx



Most people already know this but, it's still worth mentioning here since this blog is about logos. For the benefit of those who doesn't know, concentrate your attention on the letters "E" and "x". The white space those 2 letters create, form an arrow pointing to the right side. This signifies forward or moving forward and this is what their comapny does.

3. Amazon
Amazon logo
Another creative logo. Amazon is an online retailer that sells books, video games, toys, music, video recordings and more. They sell almost everything. The logo has this arrow pointing from A to Z. This signifies that they sell everything from A to Z. This also appears as a smiley for those who aren't familiar with it. I am not sure though if their service is with a smile because I've never transacted with them before.

4. Unilever
Unilever Logo
Who would've thought that this "U" shaped logo would still have a meaning behind it. Actually, it is over it. Over the "U"that is! Each icon within it represents an aspect of their business. To know more about it, let this website explain the details to you > http://www.unilever.com/ourcompany/aboutunilever/introducingunilever/ourlogo/

5. Toblerone

You might say that it's just the Swiss Alps beside the Toblerone writing but, take a closer look. There is a polar bear in what seems to be just a mountain. Since toblerone originated in Berns, switzerland (also known as city of bears), they hid a polar bear in the logo in which for most people, appears to be just a mountain or the swiss alps.

6. Mcdonald's

M = Mcdonald's. According to him, the "M" is that of a woman's chest. On a psychological point of view, if i'm not mistaken, it provides us of a "feeding and nurturing" impression.

7. Jollibee
http://images.mylot.com/userImages/images/postphotos/420735.jpg
A Filipino version of Mcdonald's. A burger with huge patties (Jollibee's cheeks). A subconscious message that their burgers are big ... or something like that.

8. Victoria Court (Motel)

Looking at the woman in the logo, One can form a typical shape of a sperm (head and tail) with the head of the woman and her finger/hand as a tail.


Last 3 contributed by: Jenadriano from his INDUSTRIAL PSYCH course under Mr. A. Yonzon.


23 comments:

thegrapebunch said...

ha ha! thanks for sharing this! the amazon i knew, but the others, wow! great to know more about these.

mabuhay!

Anonymous said...

cool! the Fedex is a revelation for me together with the victoria court logo.

Anonymous said...

Hey?! Nice post sir!
Hehe.
I was truly facsinated with your blog.. aww I wish I could be able to create some like that too!? hehe. Anyway, ang galing.

Cheftonio said...

thegrapebunch,

It was my pleasure! thanks!

See you around here or in plurk!

-Cheftonio

Cheftonio said...

blogdemanila,

Thanks for dropping by sir! :)

-Cheftonio

Cheftonio said...

Jayle,

Thanks for the wonderful words. I am not an expert you know. :)

You can also make such posts.

G'luck! kaya yan! :)

-Cheftonio

BuLaBLOGera said...

i was fascinated and enlightened.
very timely coz i'm currently thinking of changing my company logo..

thanks for writing a blog like this.

ang galing!

Anonymous said...

Some of these may be a stretch...
So You Want To Be a Banquet Manager

harvey said...

how about nike? not in the list?

Cheftonio said...

Care to enlighten me regarding the nike logo Harvey? :)

thanks. :)

how have you been lately? said...

hey this is good! i haven't noticed that polar bear in Toblerone until i saw it closer in your blog. and the FedEx. this is nice!:) thank you sir, nice job. :)

Unknown said...

whew! the blog is really interesting. haven't thought of these things actually. i am amazed with what is behind the logo of unilever and that also of prince court. i never thought that it means that way, i am thinking of something else. well, all of them are. thanks for sharing it to the public.

Cheftonio said...

Hey Jazzcullen,

My pleasure. thank you for visiting too! :)

-Cheftonio

Cheftonio said...

Hi there Shiela Mae.

No problem! Thanks for visiting and I'm really glad you guys liked it. :)

See you around the blogosphere :P

-Cheftonio

Anonymous said...

I talked to a FedEx guy yesterday, he said besides the arrow in the Ex part, there is also a spoon in the 'Fed' part.

Cheftonio said...

jwibanez,

Really? I can't seem to find it.. I wonder where the spoon is... can you help? :)

-Cheftonio

naty said...

Wow, very informative, great idea of sharing this info. It seems "uniliver" is very interesting, will try to research on this.

ohmski said...

great research. kudos on this topic

Cheftonio said...

Ohmski,

THanks! :)

-Cheftonio

Anonymous said...

Wow, never knew there was a hidding meaning the Victoria Court logo. Who would have guessed it showed a sparm? Astig!!!

cis said...

kulit nmn hahahahaha

Anonymous said...

haha! nice post! =) i enjoyed it.

marta said...

loved the post