{"id":4718,"date":"2017-09-18T20:14:33","date_gmt":"2017-09-18T20:14:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.logodesignteam.com\/blog\/?p=4718"},"modified":"2022-06-29T07:03:00","modified_gmt":"2022-06-29T07:03:00","slug":"starbucks-logo-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.logodesignteam.com\/blog\/starbucks-logo-history\/","title":{"rendered":"Starbucks Logo History – Everything You Need to Know About the Starbucks Logo"},"content":{"rendered":"

Starbucks is a famous brand that is synonymous with coffee. Though they\u2019ve had their weak points, the Starbucks brand brings the pleasant times in mind, with friends and co-workers while enjoying a Latte or Grande. And starbucks logo history is another food for thought for theorists and brand evangelists across the world.<\/p>\n

In face of all the success Starbucks have garnered, the unusual history of its logo doesn\u2019t let us forget its humble beginnings. But going back into the history of the company\u2019s logo helps us to understand how they got to where they are today and how their logo has played a role in this success.<\/p>\n

So let\u2019s take a plunge in Starbucks\u2019s seafaring journey.<\/p>\n

\"starbucks-coffee-cup\"<\/p>\n

The Birth of a Legend<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Starbucks was founded in Seattle, Washington in 1971 by three partners: Jerry Baldwin, Gordon Bowker, and Zev Siegl. They initially named the company \u201cPequod.\u201d This strange first name of the now-famous cafe chain was inspired by a Herman Melville classic, Moby Dick<\/a>. It was the name of the whaling ship navigated by Captain Ahab, the protagonist of the book.<\/p>\n

They liked the inspiration that they derived the name from but it lacked the kind of gusto that they needed to launch their brand, so they changed it to \u201cStarbuck,\u201d the name of the chief mate on the Pequod.<\/p>\n

Later, they added an \u201cs\u201d at the end to become \u201cStarbucks.\u201d<\/p>\n

History of the Starbucks Logo<\/h2>\n

The making of Starbucks logo, is in itself a fascinating tale. Once the founder trio had decided on a better name for their brand, they started to work on their logo. The original logo featured a mermaid with two tails, (also known as a \u201csiren\u201d) from Greek mythology, which lured the sailors to their deaths with their enchanting song!<\/p>\n

Speaking of the Starbucks logo creator, this legendary logo was the brainchild of Terry Heckler, who scoured through the old marine archives to instill a seductive sea imagery. Since the name was derived from a nautical character, the logo also had to imply something from deep down the sea. Thereafter, Heckler came up with the iconic logo that was based on an Old Norse woodcut, dating back to the 16th<\/sup> Century.<\/p>\n

While the drive-thru brand is steeped in history and literature, Starbucks logo history has a fair share in kindling that tale and history. Many people played on this and featured the story.<\/p>\n

Several speculations brewed up regarding the hidden meaning of Starbucks logo. It has fascinated theorists since its inception. And needless to say, numerous conspiracy theories have also surfaced. Some traced the logo back to the Illuminatis<\/a>, some paralleled it with menacing Zionist plots.<\/p>\n

However, meaning for this legendary logo is not something one can pull out of the thin air. Theorists have all jointly opined about the nautical allegory that the logo reflects. In fact, one of the founders once said that, like the ancient sirens, Starbucks was meant to lure coffee lovers from everywhere.<\/p>\n

With time and in the following years, the Starbucks vintage logo got some facelift. The first changes in the Starbucks logo came in 1987 when the company was purchased by Howard Schultz. His first move was to change the name from Starbucks Coffee, Tea, and Spice, to Starbucks Coffee and he also cleaned up the original logo and added a more polished look.<\/p>\n

The once vintage logo<\/a> and the 500-year old sea siren got a modern makeover. And that\u2019s how we got our Starbucks logo! They maintained the original Mermaid icon that was present on the previous designs but upgraded the overall look to be a bit more modern.<\/p>\n

\"starbucks-logo-history\"<\/p>\n

Analyzing the Popularity of the Logo<\/h2>\n

One of the things we noticed about the Starbucks logo is that they evolved their brand along with the logo. Each change in the name of the business resulted in a change in the logo, or so it seemed. The Starbucks logo evolution is a burgeoning theme for the conspiracy theorists ab initio.<\/p>\n

The initial logo<\/a> was more historic looking and looked aged, to match the original business idea of \u201ccoffee, tea, and spice.\u201d But, as the brand evolved, the logo followed with a fresher, more modern look. One thing stayed the same though: the mermaid.<\/p>\n

\"starbucks-coffee\"<\/p>\n

Why did Starbucks keep the mermaid?<\/h2>\n

One question that comes to mind when it comes to analyzing the Starbucks logo and brand is why they kept the mermaid on the latest Starbucks logo. Perhaps it is because they felt it was attractive or they wanted to hang onto the brand idea of \u201cluring people to coffee\u201d that the founders first envisioned.<\/p>\n

Or perhaps it was the fact that a mermaid is such a universal symbol of the sea, the fishing climate and a good ole\u2019 coffee shop by the sea, that it had become immersed in their brand. The mermaid is a universal symbol and one that is tied to ancient fables, mythology, and stories. Starbucks is a place where people can feel free to tell their stories, be themselves, and share ideas with friends.<\/p>\n

Perhaps the mermaid is a symbol of the historical connection we all have with the past, ancient history, and ancient stories. Storytelling is one of the oldest art forms on the planet. When you go to a Starbucks, you are instantly reminded of the finer things, including the quality of the coffee, the excellent service, and the relaxed atmosphere that is prevalent in the Starbucks environment.<\/p>\n

This is all about the Starbucks logo history that can fairly be deduced from all the aspects the coffee brand covers.<\/p>\n

\"starbucks-brand-identity\"<\/p>\n

What can we learn from Starbucks?<\/h2>\n

Analyzing the success of Starbucks, it can be safely said that a logo and a brand is effective for businesses that want to promote their brand and create an identity. Starbucks has created a logo that complements their brand, and it emanates a genuine spirit of connection to the past that resonates with their target audience.<\/p>\n

By looking at the success that Starbucks has experienced with their logo over the years, business owners can look at the components of their success and break it down into these aspects:<\/p>\n