The History of Logo Design
A brief study of logo design through the ages and why logos matter
A logo isn’t just a design. It’s a a way for people to recognise and connect with what you stand for. Logos have been used for centuries to express identity, ownership, and trust. Understanding how they’ve evolved helps explain why they still matter so much today.
From maker’s mark to modern brand
The earliest logos were simple marks made by craftspeople to show who’d created something. A stonemason’s carving or a potter’s symbol worked as both a signature and a guarantee of quality. Those marks became important when trade expanded and products began travelling far from their makers.
As the Industrial Revolution brought mass production, businesses needed ways to be remembered. The Bass red triangle, registered in 1876 as one of the world’s first trademarks, showed how a simple graphic could build recognition and loyalty at scale.
Design becomes discipline
By the mid-twentieth century, designers started treating logos less as decoration and more as systems. They looked for clarity, proportion, and meaning. Paul Rand’s work for IBM and Otl Aicher’s for Lufthansa showed that a logo could represent an entire way of thinking, not just a name or product.
At Hague & Gray, that philosophy still guides how we work. Every logo starts with strategy: what the organisation stands for, how it wants to be seen, and how it should make people feel. Design gives that thinking form.
Designed for a changing world
Today, logos live everywhere on screens, in motion, across platforms. They have to work hard in small spaces, adapt to new formats, and still feel consistent. The best identities are flexible, not fixed. They evolve as the brand grows but stay recognisable at a glance.
That’s what we design for. As a logo design studio, our goal is to create systems that can grow with a business, whether that means building a new brand from the ground up or refining an existing logo to reflect who you are today.
Why logos matter
A logo remains the most concentrated way to express a brand’s identity. It’s often the first thing people see and the last thing they remember. Done well, it doesn’t just identify you, it helps people understand and trust what you do.
Logos have changed over time, but their purpose hasn’t. They still help us answer a simple question: who are we, and how do we show it?
Talk to the Hague & Gray Design Studio
We specialise in thoughtful, lasting and practical logo design. If your business needs a new logo, or your existing one no longer reflects who you are, or it isn’t working for today’s digital age, we can help you create a brand identity that feels right, works everywhere, and lasts. Speak to us to start your new logo design journey.
