The Canon logo design evolution timeline, the newest logo hasn't been changed in over 50 years

Unlike most company websites, Canon has a few pages dedicated to the Canon logo design. It’s quite refreshing, as I have ranked cannon high up on my best wordmarks of all time list and it’s nice to easily find some info directly from them. The pages created for the logo tell me they are aware of the success of the Canon logo design and about us logo and identity designers looking for some info on their logo design. They’ve even laid out the logo on a vector like grid, for the purpose of only satisfying graphic designers. My site is designed on a 12 column grid, btw.

Canon’s beginnings start in 1933 with the creation of Precision Optical Instruments with the goal to “create the best cameras in the world.” The name Kwanon, which later on turned into Canon, stuck after the trial cameras were dubbed Kwanon. The name Kwanon was derived from the benevolence of Kwanon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. Somehow, the mercy ties in with creating the best cameras in the world and the name was a perfect match. The details of the first Canon logo design depicted “Kwanon with 1,000 Arms” and flames. Much more of an Illustration and they quickly changed the logo into a simpler and more effective workmark in 1934.

This change leads to an unused wordmark, although better than the illustration, was not meant to be seen by the public. They never unveiled it and used it only during trial manufacturing.

Finally, in 1935 the name Kwanon is changed to Canon and the logo design is officially trademarked. This logo is the stepping stone for the future and final one, which is actually a very nice starting point considering the date of 1935. Things to notice are the edge on the C, very distinct a, x height, the tail on the letter n.

A remake in 1953 further accentuates the features of the logo I mentioned above. The letters are thicker, most likely for visibility.

The final is created in 1956 with further enhanced details when compared to the 1935 logo and the 1953 logo design.

The name Canon carries such meanings as “holy scripture” and “criterion or standard of judgment.” It effectively captures Canon’s corporate spirit, which aims to set a global standard for advanced technologies and service while becoming a criterion in the industry to which others will aspire.

Good design proves valuable for Wrench Monkees Motorcyles

Current product offerings from manufacturing companies are at mature states. Think about cars, TVs, furniture, shoes, computers and pretty much anything you can buy. All these things have been in existence for quite some time now, but businesses and people see them as high or low sales. The truth is that when we take an object that has been around for a certain amount of time, the only difference and separation is it’s design and the product’s quality (which require well designed parts). New to market ideas and products are rare and companies need to rely heavily on design to sell their goods. Product design, package design, ads,

Brands matter? Yes, true and a high profile brand can sell a product at a higher cost through perceived value or actual value. But the truth is that branding is tied to design and without good design, those products can’t be made to appeal to customers and they can’t be positioned for success through advertising and promotion. Companies can have the best, funniest and most appealing commercials, but if the products they are selling aren’t backed by good design and quality, then buy or a repeat purchase is rare.

What I am trying to say in this post is; Design is valuable. More valuable than companies want to give designers credit for. It’s not about accounting or the big wigs, but about designers and overall product design, package design and everything else design needed for a customer to be inclined to purchase a given product. To encourage product consumption and create appeal for a product.

Don’t undervalue design and your design, let your clients know what design can do for them.