Logo Heros; Rob Janoff

Designing a brand or logo is simple right?

Well yeah pretty much anyone can “design” a logo but for us it’s the understanding persona and life of the brand development. And logos are powerful too, who would have thought coca-cola could make Santa Clause wear red to follow their brand!! And how we now see a tick and think Nike (or Nik’E depends where you’re from!). Ever drove past the golden arches and though of devouring a BigMac! When a company logo makes you think of their name without you actually reading the tag you know its doing it’s job.

Everything has a beginning…

Way back in 1977 Rob Janoff was Art Director for Regis McKenna, the task of developing the logo/brand for Steve Jobs over at Apple fell to him… given the first Apple logo designed by Ron Wayne only lasted one year and the reality that Mr. Jobs was a man with a vision and a desire to outseed his competitors this must have been a daunting task!

The creativity in creating something so simple is… well… off the chain!!!! Rob Janoff take a bow sir! You single headedly created a brand that has already spanned decades with little change and that will go on forever!

The original logo was coloured with 6 striking colours! This symbology was his subtle way of informing the consumer that the AppleMacII designed in colour! Also Jobs belief that it humanised the logo!

And that bite was included to stop the final logo looking like a cherry… cleaver Janoff!

Although after a lot of research I’ve discovered that the logo infact does not follow the Golden Rule I think the ratios are top notch and I dare anyone to disagree!

And while Landor & Associates took the Apple logo and refined it I still hold Janoff as the ultimate creator.

And a middle…

In 1999 Apple made a drastic change! And for me not the greatest! The logo was given depth and design this was their Aqua/Glass period and stretched to 2003. Whilst this was an influential time for Apple I can’t pretend to be excited so I’ll leave the third logo there!

And no end…

The current logo was launched way back in 1999 along with the third generation Apple logo however wasn’t their flagship brand until 2003… Eureka!! For me back to what’s truly right and symbolised all that Apple is. Janoff’s creation rising like a Phoenix from the ashes!

The simplicity just oozes charisma, and yes (only where Apple is concerned) I’m a brand snob! Other systems could match or even out perform my MacBook or my iMac or iPhone or Apple Watch… but it just wouldn’t be the same!

From that logo was born a company ethos, make it simple and make it the best!

#inspirational