First Signs | The origins of modern logos
Countless global brands, including Rolex, BMW, Louis Vuitton, and the New York Yankees, still use logos that were designed over 100 years ago. Yet there has never been a monograph devoted to the origins of logo design. In the second half of the 19th century, the trademark replaced traditional symbols such as the family coat of arms as a promotional and identifying symbol for companies. At first, the designs were often still figurative; only gradually did they develop into the abstract marks that have become fixtures in everyday life today.
Author Jens Müller, described as the “logo detective” by Wired magazine, examined historical trademark registers, international corporate archives, and early design publications to unearth more than 6,000 logos from 1870 to 1940. This unparalleled collection traces the development of modern trademarks and sheds light on forgotten designs and early versions of famous logos. The catalog is divided into four design categories: Pictorial, Form, Effect, and Typographic. Each chapter is then systematically subdivided according to basic elements of design such as circle, line, overlap, and outline, thus offering a new perspective on design principles that are still relevant today.
Product Specifications
Global brands such as Rolex, BMW and Louis Vuitton are still using logos designed over 100 years ago. This book goes into the origins of modern trademarks and gathers over 6,000 logos from the mid-1800s to 1940. This is Jens Müller’s extensive complement to Logo Modernism and a must for those interested in branding and its influence.
- Hardcover, 9.7 x 14.6 in., 7.63 lb, 432 pages
- ISBN 978-3-8365-8228-5
- Edition: Multilingual (English, French, German)
The Author
Jens Müller was born in Koblenz, Germany, in 1982 and studied graphic design. Recipient of numerous national and international design awards, he is creative director of Vista design studio in Düsseldorf and professor of corporate design at the Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts.
