10 handwritten logo designs
Here follows a selection of famous trademarks created using handwriting:
Davidoff logo design
Logo designer: Zino Davidoff, in 1968–1969.
Zino Davidoff was born on March 11, 1906, in Kiev, and died in 1994 at the age of 87.
Davidoff made it his business to upgrade cigar smoking, and every cigar from the company carries a label with Zino’s signature.
Oddly, the Davidoff website is unavailable to UK viewers, and I was greeted with the above screenshot with this text:
We are sorry but due to UK legislation we are not allowed anymore to show you our Website www.davidoff.com. Thank you for your understanding.
The synical among us might think this is due to prices placed upon Davidoff products, combined with the strength of the British Pound. If you know the real reason, do let me know.
Ford logo design
Logo designer: Childe Harold Wills, in 1909.
Ford’s first chief engineer and designer, Childe Harold Wills, is thought to have developed the stylized Ford script in 1909. The oval was added in 1912, and the design has remained virtually intact since 1928. The Partners are responsible for the most recent update to the Ford identity.
Harrods logo design
Logo designer: Minale Tattersfield, in 1967, modified in 1984.
The 1984 re-design for this UK department store incorporated ‘Knightsbridge’ into the mark, which is Harrods‘ London address.
Cartier logo design
Logo designer: unknown, designed before 1888.
Cartier was founded in Paris in 1847 by Louis-François Cartier when he took over the workshop of his master. Today, Cartier lends its name to a long line of prestigious products, from watches and jewellery to leather goods and fragrances.
Cartier’s largest stores can be found in New York, Milan, Beverly Hills, Rome, Boston, San Francisco, Tokyo, Paris, São Paulo, Shanghai, London and Vancouver.
Paul Smith logo design
Logo designer: Zena (a friend of Paul Smith), date unknown.
The Paul Smith logo design was actually written by Zena, a friend of Paul, so handwritten trademarks need not be authentic signatures. Paul Smith is an integral part of his company; he is both designer and chairman, and is continually involved in every aspect of the business.
Olive logo design
Logo designer: Liquid Agency, sometime after 2005.
Olive is a digital audio equipment manufacturer based in the United States.
Disney logo design
Logo designer: Walt Disney, in the 1940s.
Today’s representation is an evolved, stylized version of the founder’s signature that now identifies a media empire worth over US$25 billion in annual sales.
Kellogg’s logo design
Logo designer: Will Keith Kellogg, in 1906.
One of the world’s most recognizable wordmarks, the Kellogg’s logo is a classic case of using the founder’s signature as a guarantee of authenticity.
Boots logo design
Logo designer: Jesse Boot, in 1883.
The Boots Company PLC known as Boots and financially branded Boots The Chemists, is the dominant pharmacy chain in the United Kingdom, with outlets in most high streets throughout the country. In recent years they have diversified their business from a traditional pharmacy to one offering one-hour photo-processing, opticians, and even home appliances in certain stores.
Stussy logo design
Logo designer: Shawn Stussy, in 1980.
Stussy is a streetwear label in the USA. Shawn Stussy was already shaping and signing surfboards on Laguna Beach, California, when he started to apply his marker pen to T-shirts.
Your thoughts on handwritten logo designs
When you come across a logotype that uses a handwritten script, what qualities do you see? Personality? Guarantee? Pride?
Some of these logo designs have lasted more than a century, with few (if any) alterations. Others have been going strong for approximately 50 years. What is it about the above designs that offers such longevity?
Are there any other handwritten logos that have caught your eye?
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20 excellent comments, click here to add one
nicetype
Another one I like is Ogilvy’s logo, so informal: http://www.ogilvy.com/
Also the old Virgin logo.
nicetypes last blog post..Font of the day: Tubby
May 12th, 2008
jeffjose
Good post as usual. I think handwritten logos provide that personal touch to the products the endorse. Carefully selected typefaces can also render the same.
Enjoy’d the post.
jeff
May 12th, 2008
David Airey
I also like the Ogilvy logo. Good mention.
Jeff,
Glad you enjoyed the post. There’s certainly a distinct personality associated with many handwritten logos.
May 12th, 2008
Brian Yerkes
Hi David, I was going to say exactly what Jeff already said:
“I think handwritten logos provide that personal touch.” although rather than in regard to specific products, handwritten logos can give that personal touch to a huge corporation like Disney.
Brian Yerkess last blog post..5 Ways To Work Faster in Photoshop
May 12th, 2008
Brian Purkiss
Coke was another one….
May 12th, 2008
frank
If the right typeface is selected and used well to reflect the company it is branding, then yes it is very effective. Great examples.
May 12th, 2008
inspirationbit
Nice selection. I’m not too crazy about the Stussy logo, but it does fit its streetware image.
There’s also Cadbury that uses a handwritten logo. I think the biggest appeal is that those logos are so simple yet elegant.
Another thing is that most of those logos use a custom-made typeface, rather than going with an available one.
May 12th, 2008
flko
Falta Coca-Cola, que creo q es más antiguo que todos esos
May 13th, 2008
David Airey
Great addition. I don’t think any post on handwritten logos is complete with Coke being mentioned. It’s much more recognisable than any of those above.
Frank,
Thanks very much for your input.
Vivien,
I’m not too keen on the Stussy logo either. It’s a more stylized version of Shawn’s signature, as it progressed a little over the years. Cadbury is a great example, and is making me hungry. ;)
flko,
The list isn’t definitive. If it was, Coca Cola would be up there at the top, certainly.
May 13th, 2008
vostokone
I suspect you can’t see the Davidoff site in the UK because there is some law regarding selling tobacco products online there.
May 13th, 2008
Jermayn
They all seem to have a sense of elegance to them (hard for kellogs to be elegant though).
May 15th, 2008
David Airey
That’s something I’d not thought of, cheers.
Jermayn,
I’d think that too (about Kellogg’s). Very memorable though.
May 20th, 2008
LaurenMarie - Creative Curio
I was going to comment “What? No Coca Cola?” but I see we’re in agreement there :)
I’m a big fan of the hand drawn style, but it’s not right for every company. I think it’s interesting that the Ford logo is still a handwritten style. Why do you think that is? I wonder if they want to remind people that their company dates back to before all this impersonal, modern time.
You know, every time I saw the Disney logo when I was little (I’ve always lived within 20 minutes of Disneyland and grew up memorizing lines and singing the songs from The Little Mermaid, Lion King and all those 80s-90s Disney movies) I always thought the D was a backward G. I could never figure out why Disney had a G for the logo. I know better now, but that’s still initially what I see every time I look at it.
LaurenMarie - Creative Curios last blog post..How to Create Aged Tape from Scratch in Photoshop
May 21st, 2008
David Airey
Yep, definitely in agreement over Coca Cola. The Ford logo, even though I’m not a great fan, is so recognisable, that I think any change would be detrimental to the brand. I know a lot of people love it, just not me.
Thanks for your story in the Disney logo. I’m looking forward to your podcast singing those old movie songs!
May 23rd, 2008
Eric
Another one that holds a special place in my heart is the logo for Fender guitars.
May 30th, 2008
David Airey
Jun 3rd, 2008
Igor
I was hoping to see Fender there.
Aug 26th, 2008
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