Have you ever looked at the Starbucks logo for a while?
For most people, it’s just another known picture of their cup of coffee, a symbol of daily caffeine repair. But what if I told you that there was something hidden in that logo – something gentle, yet powerful – that most people have never noticed?
Small details are so cleverly built into the design that they change the way we see this iconic brand. If you think you know everything about the Starbucks logo, think again. Let’s reveal a hidden secret that is still more fascinating than you have ever realized.
The Starbucks logo is one of the most famous symbols around the world and greets millions of coffee enthusiasts every day. But did you know that the famous logo hides a fine detail that is often not unnoticed? While the siren’s face may seem perfectly symmetrical at first glance, it reveals a fascinating feature. Let’s explore the story behind this hidden element and why the logo makes it so pronounced.
Development of the Starbucks logo
Since its foundation in 1971, the Starbucks logo has undergone numerous transformations. The original logo represented a brown color and a mermaid with a double tail or siren, inspired by naval themes and Herman Melville’s Moby Dick.
In 1987, the logo changed to its now iconic green shade, and in 1992 it was modernized when Starbucks became a publicly traded company. However, the most important shift came in 2011, when the words “Starbucks” were removed and the face of the siren became the central point of the logo.
The symbolism behind the siren
The siren in the Starbucks logo is not just a beautiful picture. The company chose the siren to symbolize the irresistible substance of coffee, just like mythological sirens attracted sailors to destruction. When Starbucks expanded its offers for coffee to attract a wider audience, it realized that the siren had to develop to reflect the growing ambition of society.
Imperfection
When the Branding team in Lippincott began to rework the Starbucks logo in 2011, he focused on the siren to embody confidence, charm, and accessibility. Initially, they created a perfectly symmetrical version of her face, but something felt. “She was incredibly beautiful, a little scary to be honest,” Creative director Connie Birdsall recalled.
Flawless symmetry caused her to look unnatural, almost robotic. The team soon realized that the siren was a little imperfection. “The imperfection was essential to be truly successful as a symbol,” Birdsall explained.
Hidden asymmetry in the logo
If you look closer to the face of the siren, you will notice that it seems symmetrical at first, but one side is gently different from the other. Specifically, the right side of her face is more shaded and her nose is slightly lower on this side. This little asymmetry adds a touch of realism, so the logo feels more pleasant.
After being introduced to asymmetry, Bogdan Gean’s design partner stressed: “After the introduction of asymmetry, more human and less like a perfectly cut mask felt. This small but significant detail transformed the siren from a flawless image to a relative symbol for millions of Starbucks customers around the world.
Why asymmetry works
The decision on asymmetry in the Starbucks logo goes against the traditional notion that beauty lies in perfect symmetry. However, the Starbucks team acknowledged that too much perfection could cause the siren to feel distant and unacceptable. Incorporating mild asymmetry, made her more friendly and relative. This change was crucial in creating a deeper connection between the brand and its customers.
The role of sirens outside the coffee
In addition to removing the text “Coffee Starbucks Coffee”, this reworking of Starbucks has enabled expand its range of products. The siren has become so recognizable that the company no longer needs words for brand communication. This shift allowed Starbucks to offer a wider range of products, from breakfast items to evening snacks and even wine.
Fineness behind the Starbucks logo
The next time you hold the Starbucks Cup, you will realize the fine asymmetry of the siren for a while. It is a reminder that imperfection can cause things that things can become more human, more relative , and more tempting. This hidden detail in the Starbucks logo is not just a choice of design – it’s a powerful example of thoughtful branding.
Resources:
“Hidden detail in the Starbucks logo that most people don’t know about” – Homemzking, Nini, 19 February 2024
“Starbucks logo has secrets that you have never noticed” – Fast Company, Mark Wilson, January 17, 2018
“The hidden detail on the Starbucks logo you have never noticed before” – RD, Emma Taubenfeld, April 16, 2024
In conclusion, the Starbucks logo is more than just a simple design; It is a carefully created symbol that tells a deeper story. The gentle asymmetry in the face of the siren, once a conscious design choice, adds a human touch that makes the logo more accessible and relative to customers around the world.
It is a reminder that imperfection can often do something real and more attractive. Since Starbucks evolved from a coffee brand to a global icon, its logo maintained the pace and adapted to reflect the wider ambitions of society while maintaining its recognizable charm. The next time you hold the well-known green cup, take a moment to appreciate the thoughtful details that make Starbucks stand out in the world.