The new Southwest Airlines logo is all about spreading the love, which is welcome at a time when flying has become more of a chore rather than the novel experience it once was.
When Southwest Airlines was founded in 1971, its logo was a red heart emblazoned on a set of pilots' wings. This logo paid homage to the airline's home airport of Dallas Love Field. However in 1998, the airline replaced the old-school logo with something more modern and corporate, an all-caps Helvetiva wordmark saying only 'Southwest', occasionally accompanied with an illustration of a flying Southwest jet.
Now however, the heart is back and it's looking better than before. The new Southwest Airlines logo consists of a chubby-looking heart comprising blue, red and orange stripes. Southwest Airlines' logos have certainly evolved over the years, and this one is the best one yet.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Airline Logo Evolution
- Opportunity for airline companies to refresh their logos and incorporate symbols that represent their values or brand identity.
- Emotional Branding
- Opportunity for companies to use emotions and positive associations in their logos to create a stronger connection with customers.
- Nostalgia Marketing
- Opportunity for companies to tap into nostalgia by reintroducing old logos and designs with a modern twist.
Where This Applies
- Airline
- The airline industry can explore logo redesigns to better reflect their brand values and improve customer perception.
- Design/marketing
- The design and marketing industry can assist companies in creating logos that evoke emotions and establish a strong brand identity.
- Fashion/apparel
- The fashion and apparel industry can leverage nostalgia marketing by incorporating vintage-inspired logos and designs in their products.
