It’s more than just looking good – the best logos are instantly recognisable, stand the test of time and tell you something about the brand behind them.
To find out which ones really stand out, we asked over 50 people in the instantprint office to vote for the logos they think are the most iconic of all time. From global tech giants to classic fast food chains, these are the designs that stuck with us – whether for their simplicity, creativity or just because they’ve become part of everyday life.
(And yes, the instantprint logo did get a few votes… but we thought it was best to give the others a chance.)
1. Apple
The Apple logo, famously a simple silhouette of a bitten apple, was created in 1977 by designer Rob Janoff. The bite wasn’t just a fun touch – it helped distinguish the apple from other fruits and nodded to computer “bytes”.
The logo has evolved from rainbow stripes to monochrome, always reflecting Apple’s clean, minimalist design ethos. You’ll find it glowing on the backs of iPhones, MacBooks and inside nearly every tech shop in the world. Its strength? Simplicity and timelessness.
2. Nike
The Nike logo, known as the “Swoosh,” was created in 1971 by graphic design student Carolyn Davidson. Inspired by the wing of the Greek goddess Nike, symbolising victory, the design cost just $35 at the time.
This logo has become one of the most recognisable symbols worldwide, consistently used across Nike’s packaging, signage and advertising. Its pervasive presence underscores the power of consistent branding.
3. McDonald’s
The McDonald’s logo, famously known as the “Golden Arches”, originated in the 1950s when the McDonald brothers incorporated two golden arches into their restaurant design to make it stand out. In 1962, designer Jim Schindler transformed these architectural features into the iconic 'M' logo we recognise today.
It’s now one of the most recognisable symbols worldwide, consistently used across McDonald’s packaging, signage and advertising. Its pervasive presence shows the power of consistent branding.
4. Coca-Cola
The Coca-Cola logo, crafted in 1887 by bookkeeper Frank M. Robinson, features the brand name in Spencerian script – a popular handwriting style of the time. Robinson thought the two capital 'C's would look striking in advertising.
Over the years, the logo’s had subtle tweaks but has mostly kept its original charm. Its consistent use across packaging, ads and merchandise has helped make it one of the most recognisable logos in the world.
5. Google
The Google logo has evolved a fair bit since its early days. The current design, introduced on 1 September 2015, uses a sans-serif typeface called Product Sans, echoing Google’s modern and user-friendly vibe.
Its minimalist, colourful design ensures clarity and scalability across screens big and small, helping keep Google’s identity strong in a fast-moving digital world.
6. Amazon
Amazon’s logo, introduced in 2000 and designed by Turner Duckworth, features a curved arrow stretching from the letter ‘a’ to ‘z’, symbolising the company’s massive product range and promise to deliver just about everything. The arrow also doubles as a smile, nodding to Amazon’s focus on customer satisfaction.
This minimalist design has become a staple of online shopping, showing up on everything from boxes to apps. Its simple look and clever meaning have helped make it instantly recognisable worldwide.
7. Adidas
Adidas’s iconic three-stripe logo was introduced in 1949 by founder Adolf Dassler to make the brand’s footwear instantly recognisable. The stripes were so central to the brand that Dassler called Adidas “The three stripes company”.
Over time, Adidas has rolled out different versions of the logo for its product lines. The Trefoil logo came in 1971, symbolising the brand’s range and variety. Then in 1991, the “mountain” logo was launched to reflect performance and the challenges athletes take on.
8. Facebook
Facebook’s logo has seen a few updates since launching in 2004. The original wordmark, designed by Mike Buzzard of Cuban Council, used a tweaked version of the Klavika font. Since then, the logo’s been refined to keep up with the platform’s growth and work better across screens. The latest tweak in 2023 brought subtle shifts in typeface and colour, tying it in with Facebook’s branding under Meta.
The clean, minimalist look helps keep it clear and recognisable, no matter where you see it.
9. Mercedes-Benz
The Mercedes-Benz logo – a clean three-pointed star inside a circle – stands for the brand’s ambition to lead in land, sea and air transport. First registered in 1909 by Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft, the symbol was inspired by a star company founder Gottlieb Daimler had once drawn on a postcard to his wife, marking the spot of their home.
In 1926, after Daimler merged with Benz & Cie., the logo was updated to include Benz’s laurel wreath – a nod to the partnership. Since then, it’s been pared back to the sleek version we see today, representing luxury, innovation and engineering know-how.
10. Pepsi
Pepsi’s logo, known as the “Pepsi Globe”, features a red, white and blue circle with a wavy white band through the middle. First introduced in the 1940s, the design was inspired by a bottle cap and reflected American patriotism during World War II.
The logo’s evolved over time, with the latest redesign in 2023 marking Pepsi’s 125th anniversary. It brings back a bold, all-caps wordmark centred inside the globe – a nod to the 1960s look – with a punchy electric blue that gives it a modern edge.
11. Disney
Disney’s logo, with its stylised castle and iconic script, stands for magic and imagination. The castle design, first introduced in 1985, was inspired by Cinderella’s Castle and has since evolved to include touches from various Disney films.
The flowing script is based on Walt Disney’s own signature, giving the brand a personal feel. Over time, the logo’s been tweaked to mirror Disney’s growth and its focus on storytelling and creativity.
12. Microsoft
Microsoft’s current logo, introduced in 2012, features four coloured squares – red, green, blue and yellow – representing the company’s key offerings: Office, Xbox, Windows and Bing. It marked a shift from the old “Pac-Man” logo, opting for a cleaner, more modern look that reflects Microsoft’s unified platform approach.
The crisp sans-serif type and bright colours signal simplicity and innovation, in line with Microsoft’s mission to help people and organisations achieve more.
13. BMW
BMW’s logo – a black ring around a blue and white quartered circle – first appeared in 1917. The blue and white represent Bavaria, BMW’s home state in Germany. While many link the design to a spinning propeller, a nod to the company’s roots in aircraft engines, BMW has said this idea came later and wasn’t the original meaning.
The logo’s seen a few small tweaks over the years but has mostly stayed true to its original form, standing for BMW’s focus on quality and performance.
14. Lego
Lego’s bold red logo with white lettering has become a global symbol of creativity and play. The name “Lego” comes from the Danish phrase leg godt, meaning “play well” – a nod to the brand’s focus on quality and imagination.
The logo’s had a few makeovers over the years, but its bright colours and signature type have stayed put, keeping Lego’s identity strong across generations.
15. Instagram
Instagram’s first logo, launched in 2010, was a retro Polaroid-style camera that matched the app’s focus on instant photo sharing. In 2016, it got a major refresh – a minimalist design with a bold gradient background and a simple white camera outline. The change marked Instagram’s shift from a photo app to a broader platform for visual storytelling.
The new logo’s clean shape and bright colours make it instantly recognisable, capturing creativity and connection in the digital age.
16. YouTube
YouTube’s logo has changed a bit since it launched in 2005. The original had “You” in black and “Tube” in white inside a red rounded rectangle, mimicking a TV screen.
In 2017, YouTube rolled out a new look featuring a red play button next to the wordmark – a nod to its video-first identity. This stripped-back design now shows up everywhere from phones to billboards and has become a global symbol for online video.
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