History and Meaning Behind Adidas Logo

Adidas Logo: History and Evolution of the World’s Most Successful Brand


Neeraj Shukla
By Neeraj Shukla | Last Updated on November 16th, 2023 9:39 am

Adidas is one of the most well-known and successful brands in the world. The company started in Germany in 1924 and has since become a global brand. Adidas produces a wide range of products including clothing, footwear, and accessories. The company also sponsors a number of high-profile athletes and teams. It is currently the leading producer of sportswear in Europe and the second largest in the world after Nike.

What Does the Adidas logo mean?

The company's name is a combination of the first three letters of the founder's last name, "Adi" from Adolf and "Das" from Dassler. The company logo, however, is not based on the founder's name. Rather, it is based on a mountain peak in Bayerischer Wald, which is near the founder's hometown. The mountain peak is called "Zweirad-Dreieck," which means "two-wheeled triangle." This symbol was chosen because it represents the company's core business: manufacturing sporting goods.

Evolution of Adidas Logo

The Adidas logo has undergone several changes since the company was founded in 1924. The original logo was a simple design that was used on Adidas' first pair of shoes. Since then, the logo has been redesigned several times to reflect the company's changing identity.

Here's a look at how the Adidas logo has evolved from its inception to the current symbol that has come to define the global sportswear industry:

Adidas Logo in 1924

Adidas Logo: 1924

The original Adidas logo featured the name of the founder, Dassler. The design had a single shoe with a wing shape that symbolizes speed. The company's name (Dassler) was in the middle of the wing.

1949

Adidas Logo: 1949

The name "Adidas" began to be used after the company was divided into two different businesses. The name of the corporation appeared in the original Adidas logo. A shoe was "held" by the "D's"' extended ends.

1950

Adidas Logo: 1950

In 1950, Dassler introduced a new logo that consisted of the company name in lowercase letters in white color. The Adidas log background was black and the logo was used until 1967.

1967

Adidas Logo: 1967

In 1967, Adidas redesigned its logo, and the sharp end of "a" and "s" was replaced, and the color of the letters got utterly black.

1971

Adidas Logo: 1971

The Adidas Trefoil Logo first appeared in 1971. The Adidas Trefoil logo demonstrated the brand's diversity. It was used for the first time in 1971 and then became a company symbol.

1991

Adidas Logo: 1991

Peter Moore, who at the time served as Adidas' design director, reengineered the three-striped Adidas Logo before it was reintroduced in 1997.

2002

Adidas Logo: 2002

In 2002, the company chose to update and make minor adjustments to the logo. A black ball with three white stripes began appearing on some products. They have a horizontal inclination and resemble the traces of large animal claws. The fashion industry was the primary target audience for this logo design.

2005

Adidas Logo: 2005

In 2005, Adidas unveiled the "Word Mark" logo, which combines the three stripes of the brand logo with three bars. This Adidas logo now appears in all product lines.

Current Adidas Logos

Adidas currently uses four logos for different product lines and collections. Let's take a quick look at some of the Adidas logos currently in use:

Three Strips-Performance Logo

Adidas’s performance and sports apparel line uses the three strips logo which is also known as the Performance logo. It is one of the most famous Adidas logos in the market.

Trefoil Logo

The Adidas Trefoil logo was first introduced in 1971. The three leaves of the trefoil symbolize the three stripes of Adidas. The logo design is one of the most recognizable logos in the world.

Trefoil: Adidas Logo

Mountain Emblem

Adidas's mountain logo represents overcoming obstacles, much like climbing to the peak of a mountain. The distinctive logo depicts a mountain, describing the difficulties athletes must overcome and the desired outcomes. This logo is used in athletic wear, from track trousers and sports t-shirts to cleats.

Mountain emblem: Adidas Logo

Neo-Circle Logo

The Adidas lifestyle product line uses this logo design. Although it has a unique look and feel, the original three strips are still present. This logo design is meant to be modern and stylish, to attract a younger audience.

Neo-circle: Adidas Logo

Adidas Logo Colors

The Adidas logo colors have always been black & white, officially. However, the logo's black and white colors haven't been utilized similarly. We've seen in a few variations there are white stripes against the black background, while in others, there are black stripes against a white background, and so forth.

Similar to many fashion designers and companies, the decision of Adidas to keep a monochrome color pallet for the logo represents that the brand can recreate its logo in multiple shades anytime.

All these years, the shoes and apparel of Adidas have flourished in multi-color image versions. However, a few collections have also been used, focusing on a specific color. At one point in time, blue was often associated with Adidas.

Though black and white don't seem a creative choice of color palette, especially for athletic brands of clothing companies, it is considered an all-inclusive color palette. The Adidas logo appeals to a wide range of audiences and suits the needs of the business. Black often stands for strength and power, while white can depict vision and creativity.

What makes the Adidas logo so popular?

The Adidas logo is one of the most popular and recognizable logos in the world. The company has been around for over a century, and the logo has been an integral part of its identity since day one. The company has created an impressive customer base due to its continuous innovation and ability to come up with unique products. The Adidas logo is one of the most popular logos in the world due to varied reasons, including

  • Simple design: Every Adidas logo is simple and direct. the three stripes on the logo are very distinctive and easy to recognize. The text and pictures are both simple and easy to read.
  • Color: Officially, the colors of the Adidas logo have always been white and black. However, these colors haven’t always been used in the same way. The company introduced the Blue Adidas logo and so on.
  • Visibility: The Adidas logo has a strong visual impact that can be seen from quite a distance. It is visible in the actual product, on the packaging, and also in advertisements.
  • Recognition: The Adidas logo is very recognizable to anyone who sees it. It has been used by the company for many years and is now an iconic image that is known around the world.
  • Memorability: The Adidas logo is very easy to remember because of its simple design and distinctive colors. People can easily recall it when they see it again.
  • Flexibility: The Adidas logo can be used in a variety of ways. It can be printed on clothing, hats, bags, and other products. It can also be used in digital media such as websites and social media.
  • Strong message: Adidas is smartly using its logo to communicate its values, such as quality, strength, and perseverance.

Adidas is an excellent example of how a logo can establish a brand's legendary status. A logo is often the first impression customers have of a company. A great logo can help a company stand out and communicate what it represents. Conversely, a bad logo can turn customers away and make a company look unprofessional. There are many things to consider when designing a logo, such as color, font, and imagery. However, creating a unique and memorable logo is the most important thing.

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Neeraj Shukla

Content Manager at Appy Pie