Since its inception in 2010, the photo-sharing and social networking app known as Instagram has attracted a significant user base. It was first developed by Kevin Systrom, and by the time Facebook decided to buy it in 2012, it had developed into a vast multinational network.
Instagram Slogan
- Capture and Share the World’s Moments
Icons on Instagram, their meanings and histories
The Instagram logo was largely responsible for paving the way for the platform. During its short existence, the network has gone through a few different logo iterations. All of the known variations of the Instagram logo have been based on the form of an instant camera, which is representative of the network’s primary function, which is the sharing of images.
2010
Kevin Systrom, one of the co-founders of Instagram, was the one who came up with the company’s first logo. There was a Polaroid knockoff camera available that had a rainbow stripe on it. The design decision seemed relatively obvious, considering that the project was first used for capturing and sharing images (in addition to applying filters), and the program’s throwback vibe was intended to represent the concept behind the application when it was first conceived. The distinctive appearance of the camera’s body, which was a light milky tone, helped the brand’s logo to stand out above the other social media rivals. Even though it was only used for a short period of time (a few months), the badge was a fantastic beginning to the age of the famous cam logo.
2010 – 2011
However, later on in that same year, Systrom made the decision to seek outside assistance and recruited Cole Rise as a designer as well as a photographer. The Bell & Howell camera from the 1950s served as a source of motivation for him. The colour scheme of beige and brown has been preserved, but the tones of the camera body and the details have been amplified. Because to the use of minimalistic forms and accents, the new emblem was both easier to understand and easier to remember. The word “INST” was written in capital letters in a sans-serif font just below a rainbow flag that was oriented vertically and placed in the top left corner of the camera.
2011 – 2016
The insignia had several minor alterations, but in general it retained the same appearance. This version was first introduced with Instagram v2.0. The top portion of the camera on the badge was given a leathery texture, and the lens received more gradient shine, all of which contributed to the appearance of a more realistic and vibrant image. The picture became more lifelike and realistic as a result of the increased contrast in the gradients that were previously seen on the camera body. A strong serif “Insta” with only the first letter capitalised was put in favour of the uppercase sans-serif “INST” that was previously located behind the rainbow, which has since expanded and become more apparent.
2016 – 2022
A redesigned user experience for the Instagram app was introduced with the brand-new Instagram logo. Despite the fact that many people had issues with the layout, it has stayed the same for many years. The old Instagram emblems served as inspiration for the flattened, abstract form of the current iteration of the Instagram logo, which has a sleeker, more minimalist aesthetic. A dramatic camera contouring has been created in white over the gradient orange-to-pink square with rounded sides. The contouring is in the shape of a square. The primary outline of the camera is an exact replication of the outline of the symbol, and it consists of a contoured circle in the middle and a solid white dot in the top right corner.
2022 – now
A revised version of the Instagram logo that was launched in 2016 was included in the redesign of 2022. The colour scheme was updated, but the basic idea and form remained the same. The new emblem is likewise rendered in gradients that go from orange to purple, but all of the hues have been toned down, giving the impression that the insignia is even more vibrant than before. The primary components of the badge remained in the same positions throughout its evolution. These components include a gradient background, a white square with a rounded corner and a circle in the centre, and a white dot with a solid centre in the top right corner.
The significance and development of the Instagram logotype
Kevin Systrom, an American who attended Stanford University and graduated with a degree in computer science, is credited with coming up with the concept for the picture editing and publishing programme. Kevin was born in the month of December at Holliston, which is located in Massachusetts. He is a quintessential WASP, which is an acronym that stands for “white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant.” His forefathers have spent centuries working in huge organisations and living in the northeastern United States. While Kevin was working as a marketing for Google, he actually gushed about how successful his business was. He educated himself in programming, participated in a variety of seminars and conferences, and had discussions with venture capitalists and other young entrepreneurs.
Systrom had a lifelong fascination with photography and design, and when necessary, he was able to give outstanding presentations. In his third year, he travelled to Florence to study photography.
Nothing significantly changed in Systrom’s work, and he continued to dream of something that might actually transform the world of mobile applications. 2005 was the year when Kevin and Mark Zuckerberg had their first meal together. Systrom rebuffed Mark’s request to abandon his last year at Stanford to work on developing a picture service for Facebook. Mark had requested him to do so.
Eventually, he came up with the notion of building a new social network combining aspects of an online game. Kevin even devised a name for his programme — Burbn. The first versions of Burbn were unrecognisable in comparison to the Instagram we know and use today. The outcome was not particularly pleasing for the author, and he decided to turn to designing an application with online gaming features. It didn’t work out with the game either — it wasn’t seen as being too difficult to understand. Despite experiencing one setback after another, Systrom did not abandon the concept and instead continued to think about it. This is how the plot of Filters was first conceived.
Because of this, Instagram came into being, and it has since gained popularity all over the globe.
When the app finally became available for download in the App Store on October 6, 2010, the world was introduced to Instagram for the first time.
What does Instagram stand for?
More than one billion people from every region on the planet use Instagram, making it one of the most widely used social networks. The developers of the app continue to introduce new features so that users may have even more fun while they are using it. These new features come on top of the standard images that users upload and share with one another.
2010
The wordmark from the original Instagram logo was done in a sophisticated handwritten font with the cursive characters drawn cleanly and properly. Some shorter, bolder strokes were used to counterbalance the extended lines and curled tails that were present in some letters. The fact that not all of the symbols in the inscription were related to one another contributed to the composition’s sense of imbalance in the same way. In the very first iteration of the app, the Instagram logotype was rendered in a monochromatic black tone.
2013
Both the colour scheme and the typography of the Instagram logo were updated as part of the makeover that took place in 2013. Now it was serene sea-blue colour for the straightened and softened up cursive letters. The inscription was written in stronger lines, and with the exception of the first capital letter, all of the letters were related to each other. The labra was made shorter, and as a result, the primary curves that were on the initial “I” and the “G” were removed; as a result, the wordmark now seemed more contemporary and professional.
2015
The Instagram logo underwent yet another round of minor adjustments in 2015, although this time the typography was left untouched. Instead, the colour of the logo’s background was altered to be darker and deeper, which is meant to represent creativity, loyalty, and professionalism. In the new hue, the entire lettering began appearing more confident and elegant.
2016 – Today
The recognisable Instagram font was not altered in any way during the makeover that took place in 2016, but the colour was reverted to its original black. This decision was made because black contrasts better with the new colourful gradient symbol. The monochromatic lettering is a wonderful compliment to the lively and colourful graphical component of the logo, which also appears extremely balanced in the programme itself, leaving all the highlights to the images of the users.
App logo
The old version of the Instagram logo served as inspiration for the creation of the current one. Despite the fact that it keeps all of the important aspects of the previous logo, the new one is quite different. The modification generated contentious conversations all over the Instagram community.
Symbol
The original picture taken with a Polaroid camera has been simplified into a sunset-colored outline for the Instagram logo.
Grayscale and monochrome
The black-and-white version of the Instagram visual identity is quite similar to the official coloured version in terms of the lines and style, but it seems to be an entirely other design since the gradient between pink and yellow is absent.
A solid black square with rounded angles, boasting a thick white contoured figure, repeating the shape of the icon, a contoured white circle in the centre, and a small solid white dot placed in the upper right corner of the smaller square; and the newest version, designed in 2020, where the contoured Instagram logo is executed in black and placed on a white background. Both versions of the monochrome logo of the most famous social media service are available.
Because there is more white colour and fewer lines in the composition of the second emblem, it seems to be more fashionable and contemporary. This is because the contoured square with rounded angles is put immediately on the backdrop, which serves as a frame for the symbol and the emblem itself.
The monochromatic version of the Instagram logo functions in the same way as the original one, and it is possible to see it with or without the inscription depending on your preference.
Font
The Instagram logotype is just as easily recognised as the graphical components that make up the social media platform’s visual identity, and the unique cursive script that it features is connected with joyful occasions and companionship.
The Instagram lettering is done in a sleek and sophisticated typeface that was designed specifically for the app. Despite the fact that it appears quite similar to fonts such as Avangard Regular and Blue Vinyl Regular, the lines in the Instagram lettering have been modified and elongated in some places. The outlines of the logotype are smooth and uncluttered, which gives the traditional forms of the letters an appearance that is warm and inviting.
In spite of its apparent naivety and simplicity, Instagram’s inscription manages to look very assured and contemporary. When used in the monochrome version, it gains even more power and distinction, thanks to the stark contrast between black and white, which makes the logo classic and recognisable even after years have passed.
Icons
The most important component of the brand’s visual identity is the Instagram Icon. Since the beginning of development of the initial edition in 2010, there have been no changes made to the core idea. The original symbol for the application was a brown camera. It was straightforward, somewhat realistic, and elegant all at the same time. This was just enough to please the audience for the application, which initially was composed mostly of photographers.
What typeface is used for Instagram’s official logo?
The sophisticated Instagram lettering is rendered in the Billabong Regular font, which has a visual resemblance to other regular styles like as Bluestar Regular and Avangard Regular. These typefaces have letters that are rounded off smoothly and joined by lines that are thin and sophisticated.
As a result of the company’s realisation in 2016 of how varied its audience had gotten over the years, the brand made the decision to alter its policies and identity. Users are no longer photographers; instead, millennials, Generation Z, and overly prominent businesses are the driving force behind the platform’s growth. The vibrant colours of the new logo not only proved a tremendous magnet for creative thought, but they also mirrored the spirit of this ever-evolving audience that is incredibly varied.
The Instagram symbol consists of a square with rounded corners and a bright gradient backdrop. There is a strong white outline in the centre of the square, and a circle with a white outline is put within the square. Both the square and the circle are positioned inside the square. There is a single spot of pure white located to the right of the circle. While yet being powerful and memorable, simplicity is key.
