Singapore Airlines happens to be one of the largest and reputable airlines in the world. Established in 1972, the airline is known for its quality of service, safety record, and numerous awards. The Singapore Airlines logo has been consistent since the founding of the airline, with just one redesign or refinement. The article explores the evolution of the Singapore Airlines logo since the founding of the airline.
The Genesis of the Singapore Airlines Logo (1972–1987)
Singapore Airlines was founded in 1972 and emerged from the previous entity known as Malayan Airways. The airline needed a distinct visual identity to establish itself in the competitive aviation market. The original logo was designed by the renowned French design firm Lippincott and featured a stylized bird with its wings lifted and the name “Singapore Airlines” executed in a bold, italicised sans-serif font in uppercase appearing beneath.
The alignment of letters of the brand name and white lines on the bird’s image created a sense of motion, freedom, and aspiration. Interestingly, the degree of inclination of the letters forming the brand name was similar to the white lines on the bird. Further, the logo was rendered in black, which reflected a modern and sleek aesthetic that aligned with the airline’s vision of quality and service.
(1987-Present)
In 1987, Singapore Airlines underwent its first significant logo redesign. This update maintained the bird motif but introduced a new colour palette of yellow to depict the bird and dark blue for the wordmark. This helped to enhance the visual appeal and sophistication of the brand. The bird was depicted in a more refined manner, as if representing the mythical Merlion, a symbol of good fortune in Asian folklore.
The typeface for “Singapore Airlines” is also updated to a more elegant style. It changed from the previous italicised font to a unique mixed-case lettering that emphasised clarity and modernity. Also, there is a yellow stripe below the brand name to highlight it.
The Elements of the Singapore Airlines Logo
Font
The visual identity of Singapore Airlines features a distinctive, modern typeface with stencil-like elements. This custom font combines smooth curves and angular shapes to reflect the sophisticated approach of the airline. While the font resembles FM Bolyar Sans Pro 700, it has been significantly modified to create a unique look.
Colour
The colour palette of the Singapore Airlines logo combines vibrant colours in rich, subdued tones. This palette softens the bold lines of the emblem and adds elegance to the wordmark. Yellow and blue dominate the design and symbolise the sun and sky, respectively. Additionally, yellow conveys energy and dynamism, while blue represents security, dependability, and integrity. These are the qualities that are essential to the airline industry.
Finally
The Singapore Airlines logo has undergone minimal changes and showcases a commitment to its roots while adapting to modern design trends. The evolution of the logo reflects the growth of the airline and its position as a symbol of luxury, reliability, and exceptional service in the aviation industry. The enduring nature of the logo proves the strong brand identity of Singapore Airlines and its ability to resonate with passengers worldwide.