The stories behind famous auto logos are often unknown. Yet, their uniqueness provides the perfect place to look for inspiration when designing your own logos.

You will be full of ideas after reading about these clever secrets behind the creation of some of the world’s most recognized logos.

Not to mention, knowing all these interesting facts about auto companies may come in handy at your next trivia night or even when discussing your insurance discount with your agent.

Check them out!

Audi Remembers Its History

You may wonder why Audi has so many rings in its logo.

Audi’s rings stem from a complicated history. They symbolize four different automaking companies that joined forces in 1932 to create the Auto Union, which became known as Audi AG around 1964.

The first ring represents the original German automaker, Horch, founded in 1899.

Its engineer, Mr. Horch, left his namesake in 1909 to start his own automaking company which he named Audi. The second ring stands for the original Audi.

The third ring represents the German auto-builder Wanderer, and the fourth is for the steam engine company, DKW, that began making cars in 1928.

So, Audi’s rings are a reminder of national unification.

The emblem stands out from other auto logos today because it is the only brand made up of multiple horizontal circles.

It never hurts to be different, and the archives may be a good place to start.

BMW’s Loyalty To Home

Debated for decades, the history behind the BMW logo is actually pretty simple.

The BMW letters stand for its initial registered name: Bayerische Motoren Werke.

The emblem is commonly thought to represent the propellers of an airplane. However, it has recently been confirmed that this appearance was only coincidence.

The reality is that BMW’s designers wanted the logo to symbolize the company’s home state of Bavaria, Germany, but there were strict laws regarding national symbols in company trademarks in 1917.

So, BMW found a way to get around the rules.

They placed the Bavarian free state colors (blue and white) within a ring but flipped the colors so they were in opposite order.

If you’re having trouble thinking of design aspects, you can’t go wrong with keeping it local. Especially today when local is trendy.

Cadillac Keeps It Royal

The Cadillac logo is meant to represent the family crest of the founder of Detroit, Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, whom the company is named after (if you didn’t catch that).

While there is speculation that the crest may have been conjured up by Mr. Cadillac himself, the emblem still represents royalty through its design.

The silver wreath symbolizes aristocracy and the colored stripes stand for riches (gold), superiority (black), and valor (blue).

Today, the royal and historical appearance of the Cadillac logo continues to match its luxurious inventory.

If high-end is a characteristic of your company, then it wouldn’t hurt steal some of Cadillac’s design tricks.

Ferrari’s Tribute

The iconic Ferrari logo of a prancing stallion has personal routes.

Enzo Ferrari designed the logo to honor the idolized Italian fighter pilot in World War 1, Count Francesco Baracca, who had painted the image on the side of his plane.

Ferrari added the yellow background to stand for the color of his Italian home city, Modena (again, keeping it local).

The story behind Ferrari’s logo is a reminder that inspiration can be found in admirations and personal relations.

Mercedes-Benz’s Bold Goal

The Mercedes logo, designed by the founder’s sons Paul and Adolf Daimler, got its inspiration from a postcard sent by their father, Gottlieb Daimler, to his wife in 1872.

The postcard had a three-pointed star with a note stating how it would one day shine over Daimler’s business.

In 1926, Benz and Mercedes merged and with it some new, bolder values, which the company expressed through its logo.

The emblem kept the three-pointed star to symbolize the goal of dominating the three points of Earth: the land, the sea, and the air.

In auto logos as well as the market, it never hurts to be direct and ambitious.

Subaru Looks to the Stars

Subaru is the Japanese word for “unite”.

It’s also the name of a cluster of six stars within the Taurus constellation. This is why the Subaru logo includes a circle with six stars inside.

The name and the stars may represent the six companies that merged to form Subaru’s parent company in 1953.

In Greek mythology, the stars are considered Atlas’ daughters– which would be a fitting metaphor for the child company.

So, when you’re struggling to find that meaningful touch for your auto logos, just look to the stars!

Toyota Gets Philosophical

Toyota’s logo is made of three different size ovals and is actually highly thought out and philosophical.

The two inside ovals overlapping each other symbolize the connection and trust between the heart of the client and the heart of Toyota itself.

They also form the shape of a steering wheel and a “T” for Toyota.

The outside oval represents the world, as Toyota is an international brand.

Toyota didn’t leave out its founding culture, either. The emblem’s ovals are designed to look similar to Japanese brush art.

Volvo Turns To Science

While Volvo vehicles are anything but nerdy, their logo may be a little bit on the geeky side. But, hey it worked.

The Swedish designers took the Volvo name and logo quite seriously.

The name Volvo was chosen based on research that showed the word would be easy to pronounce in most languages and cultures, and easy to spell as well.

The symbol? It represents the chemical icon for iron.

Not only does it stand for the metal associated with Mars and weaponry, it also symbolizes Sweden’s rich iron industry and history.

So, Volvo has science, research, and nationality backing up its image. Not a bad play.

What We Can Learn From

Whether the muse comes from culture, history, locality, unity, astronomy, philosophy, or royalty, there is one common theme behind all famous auto logos– they have their own, individual stories.

When designing your logo, think about what makes your company or even yourself unique. Reflect on your experiences, passions, goals, and history.

If you still need help, read up on what all great car logos have in common.

Auto Logo Design Made Easy

Now that you’ve learned the secrets behind some of the most iconic car logo designs in the world, I’d say you’re ready to try your hand at making your own.

Lucky for you, Online Logo Maker makes it easier than ever with their free online design tools.

Be sure to check out their informative tutorials, too.

As an automotive company, your brand’s job is to get the audience moving.

They need to know that you’re reliable and you offer quality products. It’s highly important for buyers interested in a vehicle to establish a level of trust with the seller.

Despite its small appearance, your logo packs quite a hard punch. It communicates a message to the consumer, so make sure it’s saying what it should.

Are you in charge of creating an automotive logo design? Well, look no further. We’ve got 5 useful tips to help you get it right.

1. Get Creative with Symbols

When creating an automotive logo design, many companies think they must use a car. Or, they also think it has to be something car-related.

We don’t advise you go with something that’s totally out of the blue (unless it works with your brand of course). But, you don’t have to stick to the cliches either.

Look at Mercedes-Benz (6th best logo of all time) or Kia. Many big name dealers have established successful brands with their unique symbols.

2. Think Long-Term

As mentioned above, since you’re apart of the automotive industry, you need to be trusted. A great way to establish trust is to demonstrate longevity.

You can do that by creating a classic design that remains relevant over the years. You don’t want to create based on trends, but that doesn’t mean it can’t look modern.

A great example of this balance is the sophisticated red design of House of Cars. It’s bold but not overbearing, and warm but not overly passive either.

3. Your “One Thing”

The best logos will leave their audience remembering one thing. It’s the essential piece that helps them strike a resonance with your brand.

So, to resonate with an automobile buyer, you’ll have to carefully consider your targets. What’s the one feature you’d like to leave with your audience?

As an auto shop, it may be your friendliness or quality of service. You must drive those features into your design.

4. Color Matters

The color says it all. Again, you’ll want to reflect back on the message you’re trying to send. How can you send that best through color?

Here are some common examples:

• Red: Bold, active
• Yellow: Friendly, warm
• Blue: Calm, reliable
• Black: Powerful, dependable
• White: Easygoing, simple
• Brown: Rough, strong

5. Keep The Name

The last thing we’ll leave you with is to consider how your name will tie in.

In the automotive industry, there’s endless competition so we recommend including your name. This saves you from being mistaken for one of the other guys.

We also suggest tweaking an already existing font for another unique advantage. Use negative spaces and avoid any font that looks tacky.

Let’s Make Your Automotive Logo Design

You’ve got the tools, now it’s time to go to work. Our online logo maker allows you to create an amazing design for your brand.

Oh, and did we mention it’s free and takes only 5 minutes?

We have countless templates and a large selection of fonts you can choose from. Also, you’re able to save your logo and edit whenever!

Get started today! Click here to start creating your automotive design.

Did you know that on average it takes 5 to 7 impressions for someone to remember your brand and business?

In a world where you’re competing with thousands of businesses to gain the attention of one customer, you need to stand out and make an impression fast. Having the right logo can do that and more.

Why Your Logo Needs To Be On Branded Merchandise

Using your logo on branded merchandise can be a great way to build brand awareness and make an impression that lasts.

Want to learn why it’s important to use your logo on branded merchandise? Read on to learn why branding and your logo should always work together.

Form Your Name And Identity

A logo is more than a nice picture or symbol you put on your website and merchandise. A logo is a stand-in for your business and everything you stand for.

Many businesses incorporate their logo into everything they do. They use the same fonts and colors when they decorate their stores and take time to put it on everything they put on the market.

This is why it’s important to keep your brand personality and business mission in mind when you design your logo. That logo is going to be heavily associated with your business.

Get More Customers

Having good products or services is important for every business, but your logo and branded merchandise can do a lot to attract new customers.

Eight-two percent of investors think that brand strength and name recognition are becoming important factors when they make new business decisions.

Having a strong logo on the merchandise you give out could help keep you on the minds of decision makers.

Before you hand out another mug at a convention or hand out a new business card, make sure your logo is apparent. Don’t make it small, make it a prominent feature on whatever it’s on.

Essential Merchandise

Now that you know why your logo needs to be on merchandise, it’s time to make sure that you have the right swag. If you’re headed to a convention or need to stock up the supply closet, consider these options.

Office Items

You can never go wrong with classic merchandise. Businesses like About Pens can make you branded pens that incorporate your logo. Feel free to get a little high tech and get some branded mouse pads and camera covers.

Clothing

What’s a better advertisement than a happy customer wearing your logo? T-shirts and sweatshirts are popular items to give away. Don’t forget to print some tank tops for the summer months!

Your Choice

Every business should have some kind of branded merchandise that sticks out among the rest. Consider getting engraved glasses instead of typical coffee mugs. Some companies even offer. Get funky branded socks instead of shirts.

Next Steps

Branded merchandise can help establish your business and help you find more customers. Now that you know why it’s important to have your logo on merchandise, it’s a good time to think about your logo.

If you need help choosing a logo, check out our posts on how to choose the right one for your business. And if you need anything else, be sure to contact us so we can help.

How important is a logo, anyway?

It’s actually pretty dang important.

So, designing a trendy fashion logo that will set your brand apart while depicting your style may seem overwhelming.

That is why we’ve created a list of four essential characteristics that will help you create a fashion logo you’ll be proud to wear.

Match the Logo to Your Fashion Style

What styles are you selling? What is the personality of your clothing brand(s)?

Your logo should answer these two vital questions.

For example, Pin Up Dresses incorporates vintage colors and an old-timey frame of a busty woman to perfectly market their sexy vintage clothing.

Know Your Market

Who are you selling to?

Create a fashion logo that fits the taste and lifestyle of your target audience.

If your shoppers are primarily young professionals, then your logo should be clean but also modern and trendy.

If your shoppers are young women who want to look hot in a Halloween costume, then don’t be afraid to create a more mature logo.

Find how to define your target market here.

Stand out Against the Crowd

Fashion logos, especially, should creatively stand out against competitors.

One of the easiest ways to attract attention is to be visually appealing and different.

Research the logo trends within your fashion niche, including colors and fonts. Try out different options that will set your brand apart.

Color

Science shows that the colors you choose have a huge impact your brand’s visual identity. Be sure to choose to colors that not only fit the mission of your brand, but also appeal to your target audience.

For example, if you’re selling children’s clothes, then choose colors that are bright and playful.

Fonts

Like colors, fonts also invoke feelings and quickly prioritize the text for the audience.

Choose fonts that portray the style of your fashion brand and highlight what you’re selling. For example, use a bold-faced font to feature the specific clothing style like “dresses“.

Simply Grab Attention

When all else fails, follow two rules.

One: make sure your logo is simple enough to understand

Two: make sure your logo grabs attention and creates interest.

When your audience sees your fashion logo, they should immediately understand exactly you’re representing.

They should not only know you’re representing fashion, but have an idea of what type and style of fashion that is.

In addition, your image should stick in the minds of your audience.

Research has proven that relevant images not only build retention, but also lead to higher engagement rates on social media.

Let’s Get Rockin’

So, you’ve thought about the style and personality of your brand.

You’ve pinpointed your target market.

Now, you’ve got the essentials to designing a rocking fashion logo in the back pocket of your favorite denims.

I’d say you’re ready to get designing!

Onlinelogomaker.com has all the tools you need to create a visually appealing, relevant, and artistic logo. Get started by watching the helpful tutorials here.