Logo Design Research Project

I decided to research the history of the Volkswagen Automotive Logo. Originally created by the German Labor Front in 1937, but was taken over earlier in its design by Adolf Hitler. The original designer for the logo of the company who would make the “People’s Car” has some contention. It was either office worker Martin Freyer, or the Porsche employee who would later perfect the engine for the Volkswagen Beetle, Franz Reimspiess. Either way, the original logo was the winning design of an in-office held competition. Sometime before World War Two, the design was streamlined somewhat, replacing the swastika-esque wings with a more gear looking design. After WWII, the firm came under British holdings, but was swiftly given back to the German government. They set about, slowly but surely, to clean up the design, giving it a modern and eye-pleasing look.

The current logo consists of a “V” above a “W”, held within a circle. These white forms are the transposed on top of a blue background. The blue is supposed represents excellence, reliability, and class. THe current logo is one of the most recognized corporate logos, and complements well with their current motto of “Das Auto” (THE Car).