Designing Blue Logos That Feel Fresh and Original

When you think about trust in branding, what color comes to mind? If you thought it was blue, you’re right. Blue has become a go-to color for brands that want to look more reliable and established. The good news? Blue in its various tints, tones and shades is a versatile color. So from its application to aesthetics, you get the flexibility to tweak this color to reflect your brand and your unique personality. No wonder there are so many blue logos.

Want to design a blue logo for your brand and wondering where to begin? You’ve come to the right place. How about decoding some of the well-known blue logos from around the world for inspiration? To understand what other unique design elements they use to reinforce the strongest attributes of the color, while also making the logo a relevant representation of their brand! 

Ready to explore some blue-tiful logos? Let’s get started! 

10 Blue Logos + What Makes Them Unique 

Blue is one of those colors that has very positive associations. From being seen as a calming hue to one that signifies trust and loyalty or even a color that conveys a sense of security, there are many strong traits associated with blue. As you can see, these are very good traits to be tied back to any brand. That’s precisely why blue continues to dominate the branding game, with over 39% of Fortune 500 companies using blue in their logo. This includes travel companies, finance companies, tech companies and more.

That said, how do these brands ensure that their design showcases the best side of blue? Let’s find out from some of the most popular blue logos. 

1. Samsung 

Blue has been a crucial color in Samsung’s branding since 1993. While the main logo itself is blue, the brand preserves the minimal aesthetic with the logo appearing in black or white in some places, too. This reiterates the strength of minimalism and the versatility of monochrome palettes in logo design. 

But why does blue work in the case of Samsung? Blue has been seen as a color relevant to technology, and hence it suits Samsung, a tech-focused company. Besides, the stability the color evokes establishes the brand as a dependable one. 

To support the contemporary aesthetics of the signature Samsung Blue color, the brand uses a sharp sans-serif font. Besides, the overall structured design that replaced the previous logo in an oval helps reflect engineering precision and continuous innovation. 

KIMP Tips: 

• Subtle hints can add to the visual intrigue of your logo design – like the missing crossbar in the stylized “A” in the Samsung logo. 
• A simple, well-designed logo is more memorable and adaptable across various media and sizes, particularly for rapidly evolving brands. 

2. PayPal

The distinctive double “P” monogram of PayPal is a well-known symbol in the finance segment. There is a subtly slanted wordmark that often accompanies the monogram in most cases. On the other hand, the corporate identity uses a cleaner, more refined, and simpler version with just the brand name in black. 

The monochrome logo incorporates two different kinds of blue, one that is bright and attention-grabbing, modern too, and the other deeper, more solid, and credible. Together, they balance the traits of security and approachability, which are valuable for a fintech firm. 

KIMP Tips: 

• Once you have a unique font for your logo, pay attention to its styling, like the italicized format in the PayPal logo. 
• Irrespective of the color you choose, identify the right tone, shade or tint that works for your brand. While blue is common in finance, PayPal has effectively owned specific shades to communicate trust and reliability.

3. Oral-B

Three elements have remained crucial in the Oral-B logo since the inception of the brand: the oval accent, the slightly slanted wordmark (though the font has changed over time), and the color blue (though the tone has changed with each iteration). The consistent use of this combination has helped the brand stay steadily ahead in the oral care segment. 

Notably, the brand has always portrayed itself as a go-to choice, a trusted name, and hence the sleek, modern, and professional logo captures this personality accurately. 

KIMP Tips: 

• Like the crowded finance segment, the healthcare segment also has many blue logos. Oral-B distinguishes itself by consistently using its signature brand elements. Similarly, stick to two or three distinct brand elements and use them consistently in your branding and marketing designs. 
• Add subtle depth without complicating the design, like the hint of gradient color that Oral-B uses in its logo.   

4. Visa 

Since its beginning, Visa has always used two distinct colors, blue and yellow, in its logo and branding. However, nearly a decade ago, the brand switched to an identity that puts blue as the central color. But it does still use yellow as an accent color on its website, app, and branding. 

Another example that highlights the strength of combining unique brand elements to create a cohesive branding system! 

The Visa logo is a good example that depicts the effectiveness of blue in a traditional sector like the finance sector, where professionalism and credibility are non-negotiable attributes. 

KIMP Tips: 

• Over the years, Visa has switched to a simpler version considering the importance of digital clarity. This emphasizes the need for evolving your branding strategy with the evolving expectations of your brand and industry. 
• Even a simple wordmark can be a solid representation of your brand with the right details. Take the Visa logo, for instance – the sharp curve in the letter “V” in the Visa logo adds a touch of dynamism and interest. 

5. Gillette 

The Gillette logo is proof that you do not need an intricate design or several extra details to communicate a story or layer meaning into your brand identity. 

Gillette, like many other blue logos on our list, uses a simple italicized wordmark, which is both modern and adaptable. 

Did you know that Gillette was founded about 123 years ago? For a brand with a rich heritage, one with a wide and diverse audience segment, versatility in branding is indispensable. A color like blue is just perfect to appeal to different audience segments. Because it is one of those rare colors that strike all the right chords with people of different age groups. 

In terms of layering a memorable meaning into the design, notice the precise angled cut. Does this help you visualize the cut of a blade or the angled blade in the Gillette razors? And not just any razor blade but the twin-blade design that Gillette was the first to introduce. Awe-inspiring how much detail and history can be packed into the smallest of design details. 

KIMP Tips: 

• Sleekness in logo design can come from the simplest design choices – like the tight kerning in the Gillette logo. 
• Make the most of negative space to carve out symbols or shapes to depict your story – like the twin-blade cut detail in the Gillette logo. 

6. Nokia 

With the recent rebranding, Nokia introduced a fresh blue color into its branding. The switch from a classy deep blue to the more vibrant blue is a significant indication of the brand’s evolution in strategy, its focus on more future-focused processes. The current blue logo is youthful, creative, and bold. 

The core purpose was to align with Nokia’s intent of switching from the mobile-focused brand recognition to the current one, which goes beyond mobile phones. Nokia’s shift indicates how you can indicate a shift in your brand identity without drastically altering your brand’s core hue. 

Additionally, it’s not just the color that underwent change but also the font. Nokia now has a more geometric typeface that stands out, looks modern, and screams “technology”. 

KIMP Tips: 

• If you do not want too many frills, or a highly detailed and still want your logo to stand out, invest in a custom typeface. This helps you fine-tune every character to reflect your brand’s unique personality. 
• Consider the role of shapes in your design. For instance, the sharp angular letters in the Nokia logo communicate their current digital-first approach. 

7. Cisco 

At first glance, the symbol that goes with the Cisco logo feels abstract, with just a bunch of vertical lines. But did you know the story behind this design choice? Reportedly, the design cue was inspired by the Golden Gate Bridge as a nod to the place where the company started. The older iterations of the Cisco logo will make this more evident. 

Over time, Cisco has trimmed down the extra details in its logo, opting for a leaner and cleaner version with the same story and meaning. Moreover, the color blue takes center stage in this case, with the distinct sky blue color effectively representing a friendly identity, perfect for a brand that is all about collaboration and networking. 

KIMP Tips: 

• Consider accessibility when choosing the tones of the hue you pick for your brand. The mild sky blue used by Cisco feels more accessible and relevant to digital channels, which is crucial for a tech company. 
• Minimalism results in timelessness and scalability. While the previous iterations of the Cisco logo were more detailed, the current minimalist version can be scaled up or down more easily. 

8. IHOP 

IHOP’s logo demonstrates the friendly side of blue – the warm side of this cool color. Of course, not to forget the pop of vibrant red the logo includes! 

In addition to the colors, the symbols hold a strong place in the IHOP logo. The gentle red curve combined with the “O” and “P” creates a warm and welcoming face, which helps create an approachable identity for the restaurant chain, focusing on a family audience. 

A little backstory behind the smiley face in the IHOP logo: the previous iteration of the logo with the red inverted curve banner was often perceived as a frown. Not only did the brand turn things around with the logo, but it also created a memorable identity. 

Of course, a friendly face deserves a friendly font to go with it, and the lively curvy font in the IHOP logo does its job perfectly. 

KIMP Tips: 

• The emotions your logo evokes are as crucial, sometimes even more, as your logo aesthetics. Hence, explore straightforward cues like the smiley face in the IHOP logo or the friendly face in the LG logo, or even the curve that’s often seen as a smile in the Amazon logo. 
• Ensure that the elements in your logo work well together. For instance, in the IHOP logo, the friendly smiley face might not have been as effective if the brand had used strong angular fonts similar to those used by Nokia or Samsung. It also effectively combines the emotional depth of blue and red in logo design.

9. General Electric 

The General Electric logo is proof that a blue logo does not always have to be modern. You can combine other elements, like typography, to add a vintage touch. Like the chic and traditional script font in the GE logo. 

This cursive monogram has remained more or less the same since the brand started out. Here’s the logo timeline that shows how consistent the brand has been throughout. 

The one difference is that the first version of the logo featured a more ornate typeface, which is not the best choice when it comes to readability. The current version uses a more legible and easily scalable typeface that looks as impactful in small designs as it does in large designs. 

Notably, the clutter-free monochromatic design of GE has helped preserve the brand identity even with the brand’s evolution into an entity comprising three different independent units, namely ​​GE HealthCare, GE Vernova, and GE Aerospace. 

KIMP Tips: 

• When rebranding or refreshing your brand identity, retain the best parts of your design and identity – parts that hold the most value with your audience. A simple design with a clear purpose helps achieve this. 
• The subtle flourishes in the circular shape in the GE logo preserve the essence of the logo without relying on an ornate font as before. Similarly, find more creative and practical ways to reflect your brand’s best parts. 

10. AT&T

A truly global design, the next blue logo on our list is the AT&T logo. By now, you know that blue logos are highly popular and quite effective too, in the technology sector. Saul Bass’s bell design was in use until 1982, when the brand switched to a more open-ended, more refreshing and versatile logo with a spherical logomark. 

After a few iterations, the current version with its curved lines looks like a perfect sphere without adding complex details like shadows and highlights. Curved lines with varying thickness together help maintain a flat design while preserving the “globe” symbolism.

KIMP Tips: 

• Use metaphorical cues to communicate more with your logo. In this case, the globe symbol itself is a potent visual metaphor suggesting a dynamic and ever-expanding network that connects the entire world.
• Ensure that the pictorial elements or symbols/shapes in your logo align with the fonts you choose. The customized sans-serif typeface used for the “AT&T” wordmark is designed for clarity and modern appeal. Its strong, no-nonsense appearance complements the reliability conveyed by the blue globe. 

Mastering Blue Logos: Create a Strong Brand, Leave a Lasting Impression 

From Samsung’s dapper design to General Electric’s nostalgic design, blue logos can take any form and vibe depending on how you want it to work. On the whole, it’s about a strategic alignment of color, form, and message that builds deep recognition, fosters unwavering trust, and communicates core values with clarity. 

The takeaway is clear: a strong brand identity is built on intentional design choices that are consistently executed across every touchpoint. That’s why it helps to partner with an unlimited design service and gain access to a dedicated design team. A team that is committed to understanding your vision and translating it into impactful and cohesive designs.

Time to sign up for an unlimited design service, like KIMP! 

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