To my knowledge, the Honda emblem is the most understated logo in the history of the Guinness Book of World Records. As a matter of fact, it has never altered during the lifetime of the business. Despite the fact that this is not the case because of the brand’s idea alone, it is the most stable logo of the 20th century.
Honda slogan
- It must be love.
- The Power of Dreams.
- First man, then machine.
- Technology you can enjoy.
- And you thought we only made cars.
Meaning and history
Soichiro Honda started the company in 1946 to produce motors for powered bicycles and motorbikes. In 1948, a new business emerged to produce automobiles independently. Production of automobiles began in 1962. The first vehicle produced had the Honda name; it was a tiny commercial pick-up truck. The second vehicle to go into production was again a sports automobile, but this time it had a 2-door roadster body.
The inventor of the Honda brand, Soichiro Honda, was an exceptionally skilled engineer. He dropped out of high school when he was 16 and never returned. His time spent in auto shops made up for his lack of formal schooling. Around the time he was 20, he opened his own garage for fixing automobiles.
What typeface does Honda use for their logo?
The Honda logo is as sturdy as the cars they represent, rendered in a heavy serif font with thick lines and sharp outlines. This unique typeface was inspired by popular serifs like Clarendon Bold and the Colt Family. The huge serifs, which are both attractive and sharpen the wordmark, are the primary design element of the typography.
1961 – 1969
The original Honda Auto emblem debuted the same year (1961) and was in use until 1967. The logo had a square shape, rich burgundy in colour, with two square pieces that were very pale blue, nearly white. There was a large stylised letter “H” in the top section of the emblem, with its vertical bars drawn in a diagonal pattern from the centre. Above the uppercase logotype, which is set in a conventional serif font with complete letterforms and smooth outlines, is an icon.
1969 – 1981
In 1969, the badge was originally revised, leaving simply the symbol as the visual identification and deleting the logotype. The Honda emblem was modified both in appearance and function. Vertical orientation for the rectangle meant that the letter “H” could be reshaped into a tall and skinny variant. The colour scheme has also been updated, going from burgundy and blue to black and white with a white “H” on a dark backdrop.
1981 – 2000
The logo was redesigned in 1981 to have cleaner lines and a darker “H” on a lighter backdrop. The new insignia was more square than before, with rounded corners thanks to the wide black border around the lettering. The insignia was moved to sit above the now all-caps black logotype, which was rendered in a robust bold serif font with thick geometric shapes and big square serifs.
2000 – Today
The Honda logo received some much-needed volume and colour enhancements in the year 2000. After some redrawing, the “Hlines “‘s were extended till they touched the border of the insignia. A matte, metallic grey gradient was added to the formerly all-black symbol. The logo’s new red colour and refined lines are striking. Reducing the size of the letters was another consideration; this gave the final product a sense of harmony.
Motorcycle manufacturer Honda’s iconic logo has a long and stor
1947 – 1948
The first Honda Motorcycle insignia debuted in 1957, although it was only used for one year. It was a blue banner with white “Honda Motor” writing that looked like it was written in cursive and was extended horizontally. The badge’s left side had a delicately stylized wing design, and it was bordered in gold and white. It was written in sleek white with a gold border.
1948 – 1953
The logo for Honda Motor was updated in 1948 to make it more assertive and legible. The white cursive text on the blue insignia widened and became Ted in uppercase sans-serif with a white outline. Along the badge’s right border was a gold human figure sprinting to the right, which complimented the badge’s gold borders. The “Honda” lettering has been hidden behind the man figure by the stylized broad geometric wing in gold, which also gives the logo a feeling of mobility.
1953 – 1968
From 1953 to 1968, Honda Motor utilised a logo with two metallic wings that rose and angled downward. Without any additional colour or wording, this design simply conveyed the message that the brand’s bikes were fast and liberating.
1968
Honda Motors’ updated logo debuted that year. It was an oval, horizontally orientated, with the letters “HM” within and the word “Honda” written in large, bold lines just underneath it. Out of the left side of the oval body sprang a huge, intricate wing that expanded upwards. The whole badge was created in a monochromatic colour scheme, with the nameplate being the only element to include a bold red outline.
1968 – 1973
A few months later, the logo’s complexity was reduced by having the red oval outline removed and replaced with a double black and white version of the original. The insignia was also stripped of its previous “Honda” wording, which had been arched. This meant that the “HM” in black sans-serif was now the sole visible brand indicator.
1973 – 1985
In 1973, improvements were made to the elegant wing. The original colours of red and brown were swapped out for gold and black, and the shapes were bolded and polished. Importantly, the circular emblem was eliminated, and a wing emerged from the centre of the new, large and powerful “Honda” logotype, both of which shared the same colour scheme. The wordmark was designed using the Honda corporation’s signature serif style, which featured bold, confident lines and a heavy black outline to convey professionalism and stability.
1985 – 1988
In 1985, the Honda Motors emblem received a makeover that included a streamlined and somewhat rounded outline for each component and a colour scheme that included white and black for the inscription and white, black, red, and blue for the wing. The writing and wing design were easily recognised, but the new colour palette gave the brand a breath of fresh air, making it seem more contemporary and modern while also invoking feelings of liberation and a readiness to take flight.
1988 – Today
The classic Honda Motors emblem was updated in 1988 to a more abstract and modern look. Thick, red lines with rounded corners were used to redrew the wing. The font used for the letters is the same, but the outlines have been removed. Honda’s new logo, which has a red and white colour scheme, conveys the strength and reliability of this prestigious Japanese company.
Symbol
It was widely believed that Honda went its first twenty years without a logo. A cursory inspection, however, reveals the brand’s signature stylized “H” on every item. Even though most people haven’t caught it yet, this sign is plainly meaningful. Not only does it have the initial of the founder’s last name, but the logo is also shaped like a traditional armchair, which is a symbol of comfort and security. Honda’s first motorcycles were designed to be identified by its plush saddle (which was so accommodating that it earned the nickname “stools”).
Emblem
The contemporary Honda symbol wasn’t designed until the 1960s. Prior to then, the logo only existed as a hazy illustration on the trunk (covering practically the whole its surface).
His extensive hands-on experience made him not just a respected engineer but also a groundbreaking innovator. Soichiro Honda is credited as the inventor and pioneer user of the piston ring.
Nonetheless, by the middle of the 1960s, as a result of the growth of the automobile industry and export marketing, the logo shrank and relocated to its now-standard position above the radiator grille. Size adjustments were done many times and were the most noticeable alteration to the logo.
Font
Stylized versions of the letter H had a role in the final print’s design. It’s simple, almost austere style sets it apart. The typeface used in the new logo is innovative, and it has been chromium-coated, which gives it an air of prestige and value. The boldness of the lines ensures that it can be easily seen against any backdrop.
As a whole, the logo will always have some kind of writing. Most of the time, the word “HONDA” is what goes below the image.
Colour
Different eras of Honda’s history saw the corporation adopt a variety of logo designs. These days, the emblem is a chromium coating seen on vehicles, books, and advertisements. The brand’s primary colour is red, which is often linked with power and prestige. It serves as scenery for the visual logo, and it may also be utilised for the accompanying text.
A definition of Honda would be helpful.
While the Honda brand is recognised worldwide for its automobiles and motorbikes, the company is really one of Japan’s biggest conglomerates and is involved in a wide variety of sectors. The company’s cars and motorcycles are widely distributed over the world and are often cited as examples of excellence among Asian automakers.
