30 Aug 2025
Logo Redesign Strategy: 6 Iconic Logos Before & After
Table of Content
Table of Contents
Every iconic logo you know has a story — and it’s not always what you expect. What had initially been bold cursive script, whimsical shapes, or pioneering typographies quietly morphed into sleek, flat, mobile-ready marks we see today. More than just cosmetic upgrades, these redesigns are deliberate signals of how a brand perceives itself and wishes to be perceived — a thoughtful logo redesign strategy that shapes the narrative of identity and relevance.
This article examines the before-and-after of six globally recognized brands — Fanta, Pizza Hut, LEGO, Cadbury, Pepsi and PlayStation-unpacking not only visual changes but also the strategic rationale behind them. Whether you’re a designer, marketer, or curious brand builder, these transformations reveal what smart identity design looks like in 2025.
Fanta: From Monochrome Beginnings to Bold, Global Simplicity
Before (1940): A plain black and simple lowercase logotype with a swirled tail on the letter “F.”—This was functional and reflected the austere environment during wartime Germany.
After (2023): A minimal white sans-serif wordmark with bold blue shadow, no fruit icons or leaf—clean, modern, and digitally adaptable
Why: Regular redesigns help Fanta connect better with younger audiences, maintain appearance across the global markets in which it operates.
Pizza Hut: Digital Minimalism Meets a Nostalgic Red Roof
Before (1958): Uneven letter heights and a bright red serif font make this wordmark lively and eye catching.
After (2019–present): The red roof has evolved into a symbolic representation of Pizza Hut, requiring a logo that conveys this identity while embracing minimalism in today’s digital world. It was also complemented by a timeless, classic roof style commonly found in retail settings.
Why: The red roof became an iconic representation of Pizza Hut’s identity, but as branding expanded towards digital platforms, the logo needed to be cleaner, more flexible, and instantly recognizable on screens of all sizes.
LEGO: From Traditional Serif to Vibrant Global Icon
Before (1934): A plain black serif wordmark, primarily seen on shipping labels — formal, understated, and reflective of LEGO’s early, no-frills beginnings.
After (1970s–today): A bright red square containing rounded yellow letters with a bold black outline: lively, confident. Its also designed in a way thats instantly recognizable across generations.
Why: To evolve into a global toy icon, LEGO had to transform into a global toy icon, and this required a new logo that was consistent while being innovative. — one that was clear, colorful, and easy to remember across cultures and ages.
Cadbury: From Ornate Script to Refined Luxury Brandmark
Before (1921): A flowing handwritten script inspired by William Cadbury’s own signature — emotive, personal, and designed to evoke trust and warmth.
After (2020): : A refined, elegant purple script with subtle highlights and a rich chocolate swirl — preserving its heritage while adapting seamlessly to modern digital platforms.
Why: The updated wordmark retained Cadbury’s distinctive charm but introduced cleaner lines and improved readability — reinforcing its premium feel while staying true to its rich legacy.
Pepsi: From Script to Globe and Back Again
Before (1898): A bold red cursive writing with the name “Pepsi-Cola,” enhanced with flourishes—classic, lively, and full of early twentieth-century appeal.
After (2023/24): A neat, modern globe alongside bold, all-caps typography in electric blue and a little retro curve — it pays homage to Pepsi’s origins while being fresh, lively, and right at home in today’s digital world.
Why: The update celebrates 125 years of Pepsi’s legacy while visually asserting a bold, forward-focused identity.
PS4 (PlayStation 4): The New Digital Era of a Classic Logo
Before (1994): The designer, Mr. Manabu Sakamoto, crafted an innovative, layered design emblematic of early gaming days.
After (2013–present): A sleek, monochrome “PS4” wordmark set in a sans-serif typeface of the modern era — minimalist, and timeless. This design is in tune with the brand language developed by PlayStation from its inception.
Why: Sony kept the design consistent to make it easily recognizable and clear across all consoles and digital platforms.
Why Logo Evolution Matters
Across these six brands, logo updates weren’t about trends—they were strategic shifts:
From ornate to minimal: Simplified designs perform better in digital spaces and reduce production costs.
From local to global: Modern logos look consistent worldwide, able to scale across screens and media.
From static to dynamic: Some brands now use flexible logos, toggling between formats for context (e.g. digital vs retail).
A Lasting Imprint
These logos remind us that the real power actually lies in visual versatility as opposed to static perfection. A logo evolves to keep identity alive—not merely to feel new. It balances memory with momentum.
Wherever you are guiding a brand through identity change—be it reviving heritage or entering a new chapter, make the changes as intentional as possible and deeply aligned with your audience.
Ready to Reinvent or Refine?
At Biztalbox, we specialize in blending research-led brand strategy, design excellence, and SEO-smart thinking. Let’s craft a logo that not only looks good- but also functions well on web pages, in retail store settings, and beyond.
FAQs
1. Why do famous brands keep changing their logos?
In order to remain current and appeal to contemporary consumers, brands alter their logos. As design trends and technology advance, logos must adapt to digital platforms, cellphones, and tablets. On a small screen now, a logo that looked fantastic on paper thirty years ago could appear cluttered or difficult to read.
2. What’s the biggest trend in logo design right now?
The king is minimalism. Companies are eschewing intricate graphics in favor of simple, clear logos that look good on anything from enormous billboards to tiny app icons. Consider how Fanta simplified to just plain text with a blue shadow, or how Pepsi changed from ornate script typography to a sleek, contemporary style.
3. Do logo changes actually affect sales?
Yes, they can! A well-designed logo update may make a company seem more modern and trustworthy, which often draws in more customers. But sometimes, loyal customers may be first confused by big changes. It’s critical to strike a balance between familiarity and novelty.
4. Why are so many logos becoming flat and simple?
Simple, flat designs are more effective in today’s digital environment. They are easier to identify at any size, load more quickly on webpages, and seem sharp on high-resolution screens. Additionally, it is less expensive to replicate simple logos on many platforms and materials.
5. What’s the most expensive part of changing a logo?
It’s changing everything that uses the existing logo, not creating a new one. Consider altering marketing materials, signs, business cards, packaging, websites, uniforms, and cars. This can take years to finish and cost millions of dollars for large corporations.
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