Best
Buy has remained the leader in high-tech retail, including video games, electronic
equipment, and appliances. Their branding success has a lot to do with the best
buy logo. It features a neat design with a saturated hue. In this article,
we will try to provide you with an insight into how this company managed to
preserve its branding over the years. Their branding history could be a perfect
reference for startup businesses trying to build their brand personality.
Best Buy Logo Comprehensive Guide
It
was in 1966 when the company opened its first-ever store for business. They
were originally called Sound of Music, which is focused on selling audio equipment
and sound system. The initial logo of best buy highlights a loudspeaker with a yellow
and black shade. The brave choice of color helped them stand out from the
market and separate them from their competitors. They managed to secure a
position in an overcrowded market at that time.
The Rebranding of Best Buy
There
was a dramatic growth in the sales of the company. They were successful in
establishing chains of stores. Sadly, a devastating tornado demolished their
biggest store last 1981. However, this turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
After the disaster, they launched the biggest sale that led to one of history's
unprecedented sales. It took only four days for them to secure their total
monthly profit. It encouraged them to create a new pricing model; this growth
will eventually prompt the company to go through a rebranding process since the
Sound of Music is no longer sufficient to represent their brand.
It
was in 1983 when they renamed it Best Buy Company. They added electronics and
appliances to their long list of offerings. There was also a slight change in
their logo by adding the wordmark Best Buy Co on the primary logo and a tagline
of Superstores. The old black stereo icon is still included, making it easier
for their audience to recognize their brand. Unfortunately, that may not be a
wise choice since it only took a year for them to go through another rebranding
strategy. This time, they totally ditched the stereo logo. They used a wordmark
logo of Best Buy Superstores and enclosed it in a yellow rectangular shape.
The Evolution of the Best Buy Logo
After
five years, the superstore has once again decided to revamp its branding
strategy due to a new concept that they were planning to introduce in their
stores. It features a stylish, minimalistic, and elegant design. They ditched
the Superstores tagline and changed the rectangle shape into a massive yellow
tag. This is what most of us are familiar with. It is a perfect example of a
simple yet impactful logo design. The yellow showcases the youthful energy and
vitality of the company, while the black showcases power and authority. The
combination of the color made it an excellent design to represent a modern
industry.
This
Best Buy logo will remain until 2018, when the company goes through a
rebranding once again. The yellow tag that we are accustomed to became a subtle
icon placed at the end of the wordmark. According to the people behind this,
the new logo reflects the company's vision, expertise, talented people, and
culture. Let's have a closer look at the new logo.
The Font Style
Best
Buy uses a font style closely similar to Futura on its logo. It is a typeface
that is commonly used in graphic designs. Some of the companies using this
include Red Bull, Domino's Pizza, and Absolut Vodka. Most of you may think that
this is just random, but there is actually science behind using a particular
font style. Here are some things that you ought to know about this font style.
·
Creation- It was in 1927 when Paul Renner
developed this typeface. You will notice how it is similar to Bauhaus since it is
the inspiration behind the design. Perhaps it is one of the earliest known San
Serif. It is often mistaken for Sofia and Avant-Garde.
·
Characteristic- Futura has that elegant
and classic appearance, making it a perfect choice for graphic design. It does
not only embrace the traditional essence, but there's also a hint of modernity.
People will commonly use this as the typeface on book covers with its welcoming
feel and sharpness.
·
Psychological Influence- The sharp edges
of Futura creates a sense of contemplation and energy. However, it can also
incite strong emotions such as fear when it is overly done. This makes it an
excellent choice for companies that want to evoke vitality and energy, such as
energy drinks. It also adds intensity to the logo, as you will notice on the
Best Buy icon.
·
Interpretation of Futura- The versatility
and uniqueness of this font style differentiate it from the rest of the
typeface. While it may be developed to evoke modernity, the character creates a
sense of balance that highlights elegance and class.
Analysis of the Color
The
Best Buy logo has a couple of variations in colors depending on the platform
where it is used. Nonetheless, they mainly have Yellow, Black or White, and
Blue. Perhaps you wonder what they are trying to achieve with a tri-color
combination. The interesting choice of color evokes class, reliability, and
innovativeness. Uber has the same color combination. Here's a closer look at
the psychological influence of those colors.
·
Yellow- This color belongs on the warmer
side of the spectrum. It has a light shade that creates an enlightening and uplifting
effect. It is the symbolism of cheerfulness and happiness. It also encourages
people to be inquisitive about things. Color experts believe that yellow is the
shade of new and creative ideas. It supports us in finding a new way to handle
things. Concerning the Best Buy logo, it boosts people's enthusiasm. It also
highlights that the company has a sound customer support system since this is
also the color of communication. It is decisive, entertaining, and methodical.
·
Black- This shade is commonly used in the
retail industry (i.e., Nike and Chanel). According to color psychology, it
pertains to elegance, class, power, and the unknown. One reason behind the use
of black on wordmark is that it makes the logo easier to read even from a
distance. You will also notice how black is also a color often used on
call-to-action since it draws people's attention.
·
White- In some cases, instead of using
black color for their text, they will use white. It is the symbol of purity. In
logo design, it creates space and helps highlight the text. Some may describe this
as dull and cold, but it adds to the sense of calmness. It also showcases the
company's freshness and simplicity.
·
Blue- The blue creates a sense of balance
in the logo of Best Buy. It is the shade that resonates mainly with men, but many
people favor it due to its non-threatening characteristic. Blue encourages the
feeling of serenity and peace. It cuts through all the noises and promotes
order. In this logo, blue represents reliability. They wanted to project a sense
of credibility and stability. They generally want people to feel comfortable
when inside their store.
The Sales Tag Shape
The
sales tag shape shows the large selection of products found in their store at
an affordable price. It showcases the store's dedication to offering
merchandise at the best possible price and with discounts. The price tag on the
logo of Best Buy has become the most distinguishable emblem of their branding. It
is too simple, but it successfully captures the consumers' attention and
conveys the company's message. In the new logo, the tag has been minimized as a
part of the company's rebranding campaign. It remains faithful to the heritage
of the company but with a more updated and cleaner layout.
The Modernized Logo
The
updated logo of Best Buy makes it easier for the public to read. It has that
modern yet sophisticated feel that reflects the ethics and culture of the
company. The new logo has long appeared on the digital platforms of the company;
they long started rolling out the changes on most of their physical stores. It
is also apparent in their updated marketing strategy as their TV, and digital
promotion already features this new logo. It tells the rich history of the
company and the value it can offer to the public.
The
Best Buy Logo of today is entirely different from the first logo
of Sound of Music. Their rebranding efforts that happened throughout the years reflect
the company's growth. It also shows their dedication to improving their
offerings and expanding their business into other platforms and channels. If
you are in the process of designing your logo, remember that it should embody
the story of your brand. It must be versatile that will complement your company's
development. Pay attention to the color and font style and their psychological
influence. The shape should also help you convey the message to your audience.