Logitech is a renowned Swiss-American computer peripheral company with a rich history. Founded in 1981, the company manufactures a range of devices, such as gaming keyboards, gaming audio devices, mouse, and other peripherals. Today, it is a global leader in the manufacturing of computer accessories. The logo of Logitech has undergone several transformations over the years. And each transformation has captured the essence of the brand and its progression. The article explores the history and evolution of the Logitech logo over the years.
The Genesis of the Logitech Logo (1981 – 1985)
The original Logitech logo crafted in 1981 was simple and straightforward and featured the name of the company in bold, black letters with a sans-serif typeface. This logo accurately conveyed the type of activities the company was engaged in and was related to them thematically. The logo comprised a geometric emblem with a rounded wordmark.
Also, there was a solid black rectangle featuring two white letters “L” where one letter was placed upside down to balance the overall contours. The word “Logitech” had thick, overlapping letters interspersed with thin white lines. This minimalistic design, in the form of an interesting geometric figure, reflected the dedication of the company to innovation.
(1985 – 1988)
The logo evolved over the years and reflected the growth and innovation of the company. The changes in the logo represented the unique character and values of Logitech. As Logitech gained recognition in the computer peripherals market, the company decided to update its logo.
The new logo redesign was more stylish and modern. The emblem appeared in a square frame with a circle inside, which was further divided into four quadrants. The upper-right quadrant was coloured in black while the other three quadrants were shown in white. The wordmark “LOGITECH” was written in a sans-serif typeface where “LOGI” was made thicker than “Tech.”
(1988 – 1997)
The 1988 logo iteration was designed by the British designer, Timothy Wilkinson. The abstract emblem was placed within a black frame where the name of the company was mentioned at the bottom in uppercase in a sans-serif typeface. The letters “G” and “I” had a diagonal slit through their upper half.
Above the name of the company was the rough drawing of an eye in black. It had three dashes protruding outward, and a red arrow pointed up in an angle. An abstract shape in bright green was placed to the left of the eye.
(1997 – 2015)
In 1997, Logitech unveiled a refreshed logo that embraced a three-dimensional appearance. The wordmark and mouse silhouette were rendered in a bold, metallic style to give the logo a modern and futuristic appearance. In this iteration, the three dashes and an arrow in the earlier version were removed. Instead, the eye was provided with only three round dashes.
The entire logo was rendered in black. This update coincided with the expansion of Logitech into other product categories, such as webcams and multimedia speakers. This version of the logo reflected the diversification and adaptation of the company to emerging technologies.
(1997 – 2012)
In this redesigned logo by Wilkinson, the human face was transformed into a peripheral mouse. The red arrow and the dashes of the earlier variant were turned into a drop-like shape. The wordmark “Logitech” appeared in title case and in a sans-serif typeface. From the look of the logo, it appeared to be the print of a human hand placed on a computer mouse.
(2012 – 2015)
On July 8, 2015, Logitech introduced an entirely new logo for the first time since 1997. The logo was a tribute to the 30-year heritage of Logitech by using a brown pro typeface. It was designed by Aurèle Sack from Lausanne, Switzerland, which is the birthplace of Logitech. The logo is also inspired by Paul Renner’s experimental sketches for his now classic modernist typeface, ‘Futura’.
To keep pace with the trend of flat design and minimalism, Logitech simplified its logo in 2015. The three-dimensional elements were replaced with a flat, two-dimensional figure in black. It featured a streamlined wordmark and the refined silhouette of a mouse. This update aligned with Logitech’s commitment to clean and user-friendly design principles. It reflected the focus of the company on creating intuitive and accessible products.
(2015 – Today)
The 2015 logo iteration, which continues to this day, did away with the graphical part and kept only the wordmark. Executed in a black and bold sans-serif typeface, the letter “G” in the wordmark is divided into two parts. The upper part is a circle with an extended serif to the top right, while the lower part is an arc. Also, the abbreviated version of the logo shows the word “Logi” in black lowercase and placed against a white background.
The Elements of the Logitech Logo
Font
The Logitech wordmark shows a sense of tradition and strictness with its bold, sans-serif typeface. However, the appearance of the letter “G” adds an interesting twist. It offers the otherwise simple shapes and lines with a touch of style. The chosen typeface resembles Kontora ExtraBold while also sharing similarities with Mazzard H Semi Bold.
Colour
The colour palette of the logo is monochromatic and shows Logitech as a professional and confident company and reflects its expertise and authority within the industry. The colour reinforces the brand’s position as a leader in its field.
The History of Logitech
The journey of Logitech began in 1981, when the computer mouse used to be a novel concept. It offered a more intuitive way to interact with computers. The potential of this emerging technology was recognized by two Stanford University students, Daniel Borel from Switzerland and Pierluigi Zappacosta from Italy, along with Giacomo Marini, a former manager at Olivetti. Consequently, they founded Logitech S.A. in Switzerland.
Initially, the company was focused on developing and manufacturing computer mouse. However, with the advent of the 1990s and the breakthroughs in internet communications, the company recognised the significance of these advancements and adapted accordingly. In 1998, Guerrino de Luca, a veteran from Apple, joined Logitech as the President and CEO. He brought with him a wealth of industry expertise. It was under his leadership that the company continued to innovate and develop wireless technology throughout the 2000s.
The company’s name, Logitech, has an interesting origin. Initially, the founders, Borel and Zappacosta, both programmers by trade, intended to name their venture “Softech.” However, when they found out that the name was already taken, they decided to derive the name from the French term for software, “logiciel.” This gave rise to the moniker Logitech.
The journey of Logitech from a computer mouse manufacturer to its current status as a global leader in computer peripherals and technology solutions has been marked by innovation, adaptability, and a keen eye for capitalising on emerging trends in the ever-evolving tech landscape.
Interesting Facts About Logitech
- Logitech was founded in 1981 in Apples, Switzerland, by Daniel Borel, Pierluigi Zappacosta, and Giacomo Marini.
- The company’s headquarters are now in Lausanne, Switzerland, and Newark, California, USA.
- “Logitech” comes from the French word “logiciel,” which means software.
- Logitech’s first-ever product was the P4 mouse in 1982, which was developed for personal computers.
- In 1984, Logitech introduced the first-ever infrared wireless mouse, thus pioneering the wireless peripherals industry.
- Logitech has sold over a billion computer mice since its founding, which makes it one of the biggest mouse manufacturers in the world.
- Logitech owns ASTRO Gaming, which specialises in gaming headsets.
- It also acquired Blue Microphones, a famous brand for professional USB microphones.
- In 2019, Logitech acquired Streamlabs, which is a leading software for live streaming.
- Logitech is the world’s leading manufacturer of webcams, with popular models like the Logitech C920 and Brio 4K.
- In 2006, Logitech created a 24K gold-plated computer mouse, valued at $300,000.
- Logitech launched the first keyboard (K480) that could seamlessly switch between multiple devices via Bluetooth.
- Logitech has been focusing on eco-friendly initiatives by using recycled plastics and aiming for carbon neutrality in production.
Finally
The Logitech logo and its various iterations show the journey of the company from a small startup to a global leader in technology and computer peripherals. Each iteration of the logo tells a part of Logitech’s story. It reflects the values, growth, and commitment to innovation.