The Meaning of Spotify's Logo

A Few Words About Spotify's History

How a music app changed everything

Before we start analyzing Spotify's branding, let's talk a little bit about the origins of this company and its creators. In 2008, after two years of development, Spotify was a music streaming software app that was launched in Stockholm, Sweden. You could access playlists and your favorite artists for free with advertising. Or, ad-free by choosing a premium package. Spotify had its first million subscribers in 2011 and by 2019, the company now has more than 100 million subscribers. In short, this Swedish company has certainly taken off!

What was Spotify's original logo?

How was the Spotify logo created? What does the symbol symbolize?

Unlike IKEA, another Swedish company that proudly displays national colors in its logo, Spotify decided not to go with this element. Spotify's first logo is reminiscent of a style used in the late 2000s. The first AirBnB logo is a great example of this. Back then, the Spotify logo was made up of the name of the company in white serif font. The background was avocado green, which is quite unusual for a company logo. There are few large logos that choose green as the main branding color. It is a color that is more associated with nature. A slightly darker green was also used for the outline of the letters to increase the contrast with the background. 

Discover the Meaning of Green

Then, three slightly sloping curved lines in a circle were placed above the letter O. While this might have been a nod to sound waves, it's more of a representation of streaming. This logo was used from 2008 to 2013. Spotify was not the first business to do something with the letter O. One of Amazon logos and Microsoft did do something special with this specific letter.

The First Major Overhaul in 2013

Why did Spotify change its branding?

Five years after its launch, the team behind Spotify felt it was time to modernize their logo and brand. They then opted for a combined logo, a logo that included the company name and a symbol, in a simpler version. Spotify is not the only company that decided to have a more minimalist logo, it is one of the most important trends in logo creation.

First, they chose a sans-serif font and got rid of the avocado background. The color of the text also went from white to black. What is interesting is that they knew how to use the same curved lines of the first logo in this new one. The white lines became an icon in the green circle left of the text. If you want to do a successful logo redesign, it's important to keep items that connect your different logos together.

The current Spotify logo and the new color palette

A modern brand and design for a modern audience

In June 2015, Spotify redesigned their logo, which seemed minor – a change of color. Instead of continuing with the avocado green that had been used since the beginning, the Swedish company chose to go with a modern green. It also simplified its main logo at the same time, using only two colors instead of three. Even the black letters were replaced by this green. Don't forget that Spotify's clientele is young. So, it was normal to want to rejuvenate their brand image by going with a color closer to the web than nature. It was then decided that the colors of the brand would be this new hue of green, white, and black.

What should have been a minor change caused an outcry in their community. Initially, this change was hated. There were conversations on social media saying that this color was awful after noticing that the app icon on their phone had changed. At least, the sound waves remained the same. Spotify decided to stay the course and not return to its old green avocado color, but they learned a good lesson from it. People don't like change, so you have to prepare them accordingly. Slack, another digital company, experienced a similar situation when redesigning its logo. Users like to be informed.

What font does Spotify use?

If you are curious or like how the current Spotify logo looks like, you might ask yourself which font was used for this brand. In 2013, Spotify opted for Circular, a sans-serif font, for their emblem. In this digital era, you might be looking for something that is modern, simple, and encourages a sense of community.

How to get inspiration from Spotify when designing your logo

Here are three ways to be inspired by Spotify's logo when creating yours. To start, dare to choose a colour that is not associated with your domain. Often this is a way to stand out. Few logos use green when they are not related to health or nature. This doesn't mean it should be excluded. Then, if you have to redesign your logo, feel free to use elements of the first logo for the new one. This will create a common thread between versions. Finally, if you are thinking of changing your logo, it may be appropriate to inform your followers so that they don't get upset when they discover the change.

In conclusion, Spotify now has a logo that fits current trends. It would be surprising if they simplified their brand image further. After reading this article, perhaps you'll see the Spotify logo differently or dare to use green when creating your logo? Happy creating!