The term Apollo refers to an automobile manufacturing firm based in Europe that specialises in the conception and assembly of high-end sports cars. Roland Gumpert, a former director of Audi Sport, launched the company in Germany in 2004. It was named after Gumpert, who was also the creator of the company. Today, Apollo is widely regarded as one of the most successful brands in the world within its industry.
The significance and the past
Before 2016, the automobile brand was known as Gumpert; the name Gumpert was chosen to honour Roland Gumpert, the company’s founder. In 2016, the name “Apollo” was first used. Even though the firm has not altered its profile in any way, it now seems to be more fashionable and sophisticated as a result of its high-performance automobiles, its new brand, and its visual identity idea.
2004 – 2016
The first version of the Gumpert emblem debuted in 2004, and it remained in use for the whole duration of the brand’s existence, even after the company changed its name. The form of the emblem was that of a classic crest, with the sides arching outward from the centre of the design. The primary colour of the crest was a bloody-red, and it was framed in a pale gold that had a black border around it. The emblem was rendered in three dimensions and given the impression of mobility by virtue of the gradient shading and glossy surface that were included on both the body and the frame of the symbol.
The primary components of the visual identity of Gumpert consisted of a white image of a gryphon, which is a mythological creature with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion, and a black custom lettering that was placed on the upper thick part of the gold frame. Both of these elements were placed in the same position.
The Griffin was shown in a highly elegant and fine manner, with delicate details and tiny lines that were nevertheless able to be distinguished from one another. It was positioned such that it faced right and gives off an air of bravery, nobility, and resolve.
The strong, stylized writing had square and broad outlines, but the angles of the letters were rounded, giving the appearance of friendliness rather than harshness, which contributed to a feeling of self-assurance and exclusiveness. This sensation was further heightened by the golden frame’s narrow black edge, which created a deeper contrast between the various aspects of the composition.
2016 – Today
A new logo was unveiled by the corporation in 2016, along with the rebranding of the marque to Apollo. It is still in the form of a crest, although one that is more angular and concave. A stylized letter “A” is likewise rendered in silver with a three-dimensional look and has its bars resembling sword blades. This sign is located on the black body, which was encased in a massive silver frame. It was the only symbol that appeared on it.
There are two distinct iterations of the Apollo shield: one with a matte black background, and the other with a more aggressive one, having a gradient red and orange part in the bottom that looks like a flame and reflects the nature of the brand and its strength. Both versions have a similar shape, but the more aggressive one has a more prominent part in the bottom.
In spite of the fact that the Apollo logo is composed of only a shield and a single letter, it manages to convey a sense of power and modernity, thereby presenting the company in the best light possible and instilling a sense of assurance in the superiority of the craftsmanship and style of its automobiles.
Size and hue of the text
The Apollo crest that features the stylized letter “A” is sometimes accompanied by a logotype. The colour of the logotype depends on the colour of the background of the crest; when the background is black, the logotype is typically executed in a light grey colour, and when the background is “Flame,” the logotype is typically executed in black. Although the typography of the lowercase inscription does not change, it is always written in strong custom sans-serifs, and the vertical bars of the letters are sliced diagonally and directed in a certain direction. The italicised version of the Apollo typeface had open contours, and although it shared certain characteristics with other typefaces like Atures and Logic, its lines were adjusted, and its contours were softer.
The colour palette of the Apollo visual identity is centred on the combination of black and silver. Additionally, the gradient flame scheme, which consists of yellow, orange, and red tones that get darker from the bottom to the top and end with black, is sometimes used to complement the black and silver combination. This colour scheme is meant to convey the excitement, velocity, and strength that the brand and its automobiles exude. In addition to giving off a very chic and contemporary vibe, the palette also manages to seem crisp and opulent thanks to the use of silver accents. The classic combination of black and grey is a symbol of accuracy and elegance, which will always be current and contemporary because of its timelessness.
