The most famous logo in the world
What is the most famous logo in the world today? Good question, one that might not have one answer. Logos are everywhere, we interact with them all day, most without even noticing. Think about it, right now, look around you, see any? On your screen, on a bottle or can on your desk, on your t-shirt maybe even on this very website, logo’s are everywhere so how is it possible to give one logo the title of world’s most famous logo?
Well it’s all a matter of opinion I suppose but that’s the great thing about the web, it allows you to survey opinion unlike any other research tool. Some might say whichever logo has had the most exposure is the most famous, a logo that has been in existence longer than any other. In that case the most famous logo would probably be the Christian Cross. First used in errr, the year 0, according to religious types, this logo or symbol has definitely stood the test of time and is certainly known throughout most of the world. You could also consider other religious symbols like the Star of David, Ying & Yang etc. the symbols are the original logos, symbolism at its best.
Of course, logo’s and brands can be famous for all the wrong reasons. A recent example is the 2012 London Olympic logo, having created such controversy the logo is now recognised everywhere but only because so many people weren’t crazy about it. How ironic is that, the more people don’t like the logo you design, the more impact and exposure it gets! Maybe we should all start aiming to create horrific logo’s for this exact reason, as they say, bad publicity is better than no publicity.
There are also logo’s that are famous for what they represent. The big tech companies, Microsoft, Apple, IBM, Dell, among others represent technology and the future of how we live and work. Their innovations are in the news a lot so we are constantly seeing their logos not to mention most of us use their products to work or surf the web, more logo exposure. Similarly in the motor industry, they put their logos on the front and back of the vehicles so again we are bombarded with logos on the road, most of the time without even realising it, those motor companies who produce the most car will have more exposure, Ford springs to mind.
I guess the only true way to name the most famous logo in the world would be to survey a demographic who are very remote, not too remote like the recent ‘last uncontacted tribe on earth’ recently in the news, but a group of people who don’t interact with western culture a lot, I wonder what logos they would recognise and which they would identify with. My guess would be some sort of religious icon, because these have been around the longest and had time to become part of even remote cultures. What do you think?
Posted in All posts, Branding, Logo Designs
Considering the fact that European history has been enormously influenced by Christianity, I’d say that more than 50% of humans alive recognize the Cross as a sign for God or other religious associations. Don’t you think this is the most famous logo?
That was my initial view. However when you consider exactly how big the rest of the world is, the population of other cultures, it is possible there is another.
Yes, but think about how many people are influenced by European culture. It’s pretty much 4 people out of 5, when you think about it. Starting with Inquisition and probably ending with the Iraq War in modern times. Christian signs are all around us perceived by religious followers (including those who don’t believe in it a 100%) …
North America, South America, Africa, Russia,…
Maybe the East didn’t get to “enjoy” the European culture that we forced on everyone else.
Surely Mcdonalds is the worlds most recognised logo.
They must have a shop in every country and their ads are just so annoying that you remeber them.
It is amazing how they seem to get restaurantes set up in some of the most remote places on the planet!