The Nostalgic Charm of Old Logos: The Rise of Retro Design
Looking at old logos can be a Proustian experience, sparking deep memories of days gone by. In today’s world of clean, sanitised logos, we don’t often see wordmarks that are truly evocative – but judging by the response to the Cherry Coke logo from the nineties, it wasn’t always that way.
The Rise and Fall of the 90s Logo
The logo has recently resurfaced on X, and it’s taking users back to what can certainly be described as a characterful era for graphic design. With its grungy ‘You wouldn’t steal a car’ typeface and edgy ‘DO something different’ tagline (slightly deflated by the accompanying registered trademark symbol), the logo is about as 90s as it gets. Coca-Cola might have one of the best logos ever, but its retro Cherry Coke branding was truly something else.
A Nostalgic Response
Cherry Coke tasted better with this logo, don’t question my logic, it just did. https://t.co/wu4Qp8c2tc
The hardest any soda branding has ever gone tbh https://t.co/09JJRYLkJc
90s Marketing: A Love-Hate Relationship
"90s marketing was so extreme!" one Redditor comments, while another adds, "A lot of people think society began to decline after 9/11, but I think the changing of this logo played a huge role as well."
The Original Cherry Coke Logo
Cherry Coke was launched in 1985, and featured a pretty conventional logo back then, with a lowercase sans serif ‘cherry’ sitting atop the standard Coke wordmark.
The Evolution of Logos
But while the original might look plain next to the spicy 90s design, it positively pops against today’s impossibly dull design, with its plain corporate text and, erm, aubergine background?
A New Era of Logos
Still, while the world of logos has arguably become duller (and flatter), there are signs that things are starting to change. Not only are icons finally becoming textured again, but we’re also seeing a lot of brands revive their old logos. Is it too much to ask Coca-Cola to bring back its grungy 90s logo? Is it too much to suggest it might make everything ok? Probably. But every great dream begins with a dreamer.
Conclusion
The nostalgia for old logos is a testament to the power of design to evoke emotions and create a sense of belonging. As we look to the future, it’s clear that the tide is turning in favor of more expressive, more characterful design. Will we see a resurgence of the grunge era’s iconic logos? Only time will tell.
FAQs
Q: What is the significance of the 90s Cherry Coke logo?
A: The 90s Cherry Coke logo is significant because it represents a distinct era in graphic design, characterized by bold, edgy, and playful visuals.
Q: Why is the 90s logo so popular?
A: The 90s logo is popular because it evokes a sense of nostalgia and familiarity, reminding people of a bygone era.
Q: Will we see a resurgence of 90s-style logos?
A: Yes, there are signs that the tide is turning in favor of more expressive, more characterful design, which may lead to a resurgence of 90s-style logos.
