The Chinese company Huawei is a world leader in the fields of mobile phones, the internet, cloud computing, and telecommunications. Founded in 1987 by Ren Zhengfei, the company has spread its foothold all across the world. And alongside the journey of the company, the Huawei logo too has undergone a few changes since its inception in 1987. This evolution reflects the adherence of the company to innovation, customer focus, and its mission to create a fully connected, intelligent world. This article traces the evolution of the Huawei logo over the years.
The Genesis of the Huawei Logo (1987–2006)
The original logo was designed circa 1987 and featured a symbol that represented the meaning of one of the hieroglyphs forming the word “Huawei” in Chinese. This hieroglyph means “flower” to symbolise growth, unity, and dynamism. The design elements of the logo, such as multiple petals and the red colour, were consistent with the rising sun. It conveyed a sense of upward movement and optimism. Below the “flower” symbol was mentioned “Huawei Technologies” in a bold sans-serif typeface in the title case.
Modernization (2006-2018)
In 2006, the logo underwent its first major update. The petals were made wider and adopted a sharper angle to give the logo a more modern and dynamic look. A 3D effect was introduced for the first time to enhance the perceptibility of the logo. The imagery of the petals had the brand name “HUAWEI” written underneath. This update further emphasised the upward movement and the connection of the brand to the rising sun. This design made the logo more visually striking and futuristic.
Recent Changes (2018-Present)
Prior to the launch of the P20 and P20 Pro smartphones in 2018, the logo underwent another update. The shape of the “flower” remained essentially the same, but the colour was slightly modified to a cooler and darker tone. Also, the wordmark “HUAWEI” was refined a little, especially the letter “E.” This change aimed to give the logo a more natural and modern look. This also helped the logo align with the company’s focus on innovation and customer-centricity.
Global Impact
The Huawei logo is recognised globally and symbolises the presence of the company in over 170 countries and regions. The modern design and consistent visual metaphor of the logo have helped the company establish a strong brand identity. It has made it one of the most recognisable and respected technology brands worldwide.
The Elements of the Huawei Logo
Symbol
The Huawei logo has always been designed to reflect the core values and mission of the company. The flower, which forms the core element of the logo, symbolises growth, unity, and dynamism. It embodies the company’s commitment to innovation and customer focus. The upward movement of the logo and its similarity to the rising sun represent a sense of optimism and confidence. It conveys a message of steady and sustainable growth.
Font
From 2006 to 2018, the logo featured Handel Gothic Bold, a sans-serif typeface. Its distinctive element was the semicircular “E,” which looked like an upside-down “U.” However, the 2018 redesign brought about a few changes to the font. For instance, it adopted slimmer lines, and the once-rounded “E” was modified to include two sharp corners.
Colour
During its first 30 years, the Huawei logo featured a bright shade of red. However, in 2018, the colour was replaced with a cooler and slightly darker tone. This change was intended to give the logo a more modern and sophisticated appearance. Moreover, the colour aligned with the company’s focus on innovation and technology.
The History of Huawei
Huawei was founded in 1987 by Ren Zhengfei, a former officer in the People’s Liberation Army, in Shenzhen, China. The company started as a reseller of private branch exchange (PBX) switches that were imported from Hong Kong. Besides, it invested heavily in research and development to manufacture its own technologies.
In 1993, Huawei launched its C&C08 programme-controlled telephone switch, which was the most powerful switch available in China at the time. The company focused on low-income and difficult-to-access market segments and gradually moved into more developed areas. In 2005, the company’s international contract orders exceeded domestic sales for the first time. During this period, Huawei established R&D centres in the United States, Sweden, and India.
In 2006, Huawei redesigned its corporate identity to reflect principles of customer focus, innovation, steadiness, and harmony. The company officially released its new visual identity and logo on May 8, 2006. Huawei entered the smartphone market in 2003 and launched its first phone, the C300, in 2004. The company unveiled its first Android smartphone, the U8220, at MWC 2009. Thereafter, it launched its Ascend range of smartphones, starting with the Ascend P1 S, at CES 2012.
In 2016, Huawei entered the laptop market with the release of its Huawei MateBook series. The company has continued to release laptop models in this series into 2020. Today, Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. The company has 207,000 employees and operates in over 170 countries and regions. It serves more than three billion people around the world.
Interesting Facts About Huawei
- Huawei can be roughly translated as “Chinese achievement.”
- The company is credited with developing the first telephone exchange switches in China, in the 1980s.
- The company has over 75,000 employees working in its R&D division.
- Huawei is the third-largest seller of smartphones after Apple and Samsung.
- Huawei is a global leader in developing solutions for information and communications technology.
- Huawei is arguably the largest manufacturer of telecommunications equipment in the world.
- Huawei has its own operating system after being denied the use of Google’s Android operating system.
- Huawei is a major player in 5G network technology.
- The company operates in more than 170 countries.
- The company holds many patents in the realm of information and communications technology.
- Huawei conducts research in the fields of smart city technologies, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence.
- Huawei has often been alleged to be a potential risk to national security in many countries, including the USA.
- Huawei manufactures its own chips to power the smartphones and other devices it produces. This enables it to have greater control over software and hardware integration.
Finally
The Huawei logo has undergone significant changes over the years, which reflect the commitment of the company to innovation, customer focus, and steady growth. Each iteration of the logo has been designed to reflect the core values and mission of the company. The logo has become a powerful symbol of Huawei’s global presence and technological leadership.