Dispatch #338: Stylish 1970s Logos

 

NBC logo (1976)

  Growing up in the 1970s, I was always intrigued by the decade's corporate logos—with their bold shapes and colors. Today's dispatch showcases some of my favorites.

US Bicentennial and Apple logos

  First up: Bruce Blackburn's patriotic star design for the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976 and Rob Janoff's rainbow-striped Apple logo from 1977.

  Anyone who sipped a 7-Up in the 1970s will instantly recognize Thomas Miller's bold Futura Dot logo for the bubbly soft drink. Beside it is one of my all-time favorites: NASA's iconic "worm" logo designed by Bruce Blackburn and Richard Danne. Gotta love the worm!

  There are few more recognizable Rock and Roll logos than John Pasche's "tongue and lips"—which he designed for the Rolling Stones in 1970. Speaking of iconic, in 1972, Warner Brothers went with the legendary Saul Bass for their new corporate logo.

  Although it got very little love then (or now), I've always liked NBC's 1976 red-and-blue trapezoid logo from Lippincott and Margulies—it's bold, colorful, and futuristic. 

  Finally, when discussing graphic design in 1970s, it's impossible to overlook Milton Glaser's love letter to New York City. Along with the Rolling Stones logo, it's probably the most recognizable today.

  There's more to come in the next dispatch.

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