Apple Logo PNG
An apple with a bitten segment symbolizes the practical application of a brilliant idea; the monochrome color allows one to focus on the main concept. This is how the Apple logo “works,” ensuring the recognition of the legendary brand.
Apple: Brand overview
Apple’s history began on April 1, 1976, when Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne founded the company in the garage of Jobs’ parents’ home in Cupertino, California. Wozniak hand-built the Apple I computer, the company’s first product. The Apple I consisted of a basic motherboard, requiring users to provide their keyboard, power supply, and case. Approximately 200 units of the Apple I were produced, each retailing for $666.66.
In 1977, the company launched the Apple II, the first mass-market personal computer with color graphics. This product revolutionized the industry and became the first widely successful personal computer. The Apple II featured a color display, a built-in BASIC programming language, and a disk drive connector. Its success fueled rapid growth; by 1980, the organization employed several thousand people.
The company went public in December 1980 with one of the most successful initial public offerings (IPOs) since Ford Motor Company in 1956. The stock price soared from $22 to $29 within minutes, creating over 300 millionaires among the company’s investors and employees.
In 1984, the organization introduced the Macintosh, the first mass-market personal computer with a graphical user interface. Its launch was accompanied by the now-iconic “1984” Super Bowl commercial. Despite its innovative design, the Macintosh initially struggled with high costs and limited software options.
Steve Jobs left the company in 1985 following a conflict with the board of directors. Under the leadership of new CEO John Sculley, the business expanded the Macintosh line with successful models like the Macintosh Plus, Macintosh SE, and Macintosh II.
The 1990s proved challenging. The company experimented with various products, including digital cameras, game consoles, and personal digital assistants (Newton), but most of these ventures failed. Meanwhile, its market share in personal computers declined.
Steve Jobs returned as interim CEO in 1997, initiating a major turnaround. He streamlined operations by focusing on core products and discontinuing underperforming ones. The release of the iMac, a uniquely designed desktop computer, in 1998 marked the beginning of the organization’s recovery.
The company transformed the music industry with the release of the iPod in 2001. The 2003 launch of the iTunes Music Store further revolutionized music consumption and expanded the organization’s reach beyond computing.
A milestone came in 2007 with the introduction of the iPhone, which reshaped the mobile phone market. Combining an iPod, a phone, and an Internet communicator, the iPhone introduced the concept of the modern smartphone. The launch of the App Store in 2008 created a thriving ecosystem for mobile applications.
In 2010, the company entered the tablet market with the release of the iPad, further solidifying its role as a leader in consumer electronics. That same year, the organization became the second-largest company in the world by market capitalization, surpassing ExxonMobil.
After Steve Jobs stepped down in 2011 due to health issues, Tim Cook became CEO. Under Cook’s leadership, the business expanded its product lineup, introducing the Apple Watch in 2014, the first major new product since Jobs’ passing.
Between 2015 and 2020, the company invested heavily in services, launching Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and more. In 2019, it introduced the Apple Card, a credit card developed in partnership with Goldman Sachs.
From 2020 to 2023, the organization undertook a major technological transition by introducing its own Silicon processors in Mac computers. It also unveiled new Macs, iPads, iPhones, and other devices during this period. In 2023, the company announced the Vision Pro, its first mixed-reality device, to launch in early 2024.
Meaning and History
The American company’s logo appeared immediately in the year of its founding. Steve Jobs and Ronald Wayne were creative inspirations inspired by a Wordsworth quote. Therefore, the emblem depicts a scene where Isaac Newton sits under a tree, and above him hangs an apple that, according to legend, will fall on his head, and then a brilliant idea will visit the scientist.
Ronald Wayne combined apple and enlightenment concepts without troubling himself with work. He depicted Newton, upon whom a ripe fruit of “unexpected enlightenment” is about to fall. The design was accepted and approved as a corporate identity, but it contained too many unnecessary details that distracted from the central element. Therefore, several more options were subsequently proposed.
What is Apple?
This global company develops and manufactures computers, tablets, smartphones, audio devices, and software. It is a leader in creating modern personal computers and operating systems. The brand is associated with innovative online services and high-quality electronics. Founded in the United States, the company is known for its devices, such as the iPhone, and its recognizable bitten apple logo, symbolizing reliability and modern design.
1976 – 1977
The emblem from this period resembles an artistic painting in an elongated rectangle. It depicts a man holding a book, seated under the canopy of a sprawling tree, with a large apple hanging above him. The composition is rendered in black and white tones. A wide ribbon with curled ends frames the logo at the top and bottom. The ribbon bears the inscription “APPLE COMPUTER CO.,” encircling the image and emphasizing the company’s name.
The level of detail is striking: every line and shadow creates depth and dimension. The apple hanging from the branch references the moment Isaac Newton discovered the law of gravity, symbolizing scientific breakthroughs and ingenuity. The logo also features fine text: “Newton — A Mind Forever Voyaging Through Strange Seas of Thought Alone.” This phrase conveys the company’s lofty ideals and commitment to intellectual exploration.
The visual design resembles an engraving or an illustration from an old book. The lettering on the ribbon is in a classic font, complementing the overall retro style. However, the complexity of the design was both a strength and a weakness. On one hand, it stood out among competitors; on the other, its intricacy made instant recognition more challenging.
One of Apple’s co-founders, Ron Wayne, created the logo to highlight the company’s intellectual foundation and innovative aspirations. However, within a year, the company abandoned this emblem in favor of a more minimalist and modern design aligned with the spirit of the times and the evolution of technology.
1977 – 1998
The logo introduced in 1977 starkly contrasted the previous black-and-white version. Simplicity and brightness replaced intricate details and dense symbolism. Its creator was Rob Janoff, a prominent graphic designer of the time. After meeting with Apple’s executives, he decided to visualize the concept by picking up a bag of apples from the store. Inspired, he began experimenting with shapes and cuts to create the most expressive design.
The logo’s defining feature was depicting an apple with a “bitten” edge. This element added symbolic depth and eliminated any potential confusion with a cherry. The simplified shape proved concise and memorable, perfectly suited to the new era of digital technology.
The new symbol’s color palette featured six vibrant stripes resembling a rainbow. According to Steve Jobs, this was necessary to highlight the company’s transition to producing computers with color displays. Each stripe’s hue appeared vivid and “juicy,” like fresh apple varieties, emphasizing the brand’s innovative approach and cheerful spirit.
The apple’s shape symbolizes creativity and scientific progress, tying the emblem to the legend of Newton and the apple. Its compactness and minimalism allowed the company to easily use the logo across various mediums, from printed materials to digital displays. The logo’s form has remained Apple’s hallmark for over four decades and continues to be one of the most recognizable symbols in the world.
1998 – today
In 1998, Apple significantly updated its logo, abandoning the bright rainbow in favor of a monochrome version. Several factors drove this transition. First, minimalism in graphic design was becoming increasingly popular, and bright colors could distract from the brand’s core concept—innovative technology. Second, this approach emphasizes the elegance and versatility of Apple products, which can be presented in various color options.
It is worth noting that while the black version of the emblem became the standard, it was rarely used in the company’s daily operations. Instead, various color solutions were employed, from metallic shades highlighting the product’s premium quality to gradients adding dynamism. The color often depended on the product it was applied to. For example, on the iMac of that era, the logo had a metallic sheen, perfectly complementing the new approach to computer design.
This shift in form and approach to using the logo was a step toward simplifying and foreseeing future design trends. Decades later, many major companies, including automotive brands, began transitioning to black and minimalist visual symbols adaptable to any color palette. However, Apple was ahead of its time, initiating this trend as early as 1998. This decision underscored the company’s ability to stay current and set the direction for visual identity evolution.
This foresight was directly tied to Steve Jobs’s vision. He always sought to anticipate user expectations and set new standards. His decision to abandon ostentation and favor simplicity symbolized Apple’s philosophy of functionality, elegance, and versatility. This approach has allowed the Apple logo to remain relevant and recognizable for decades despite the constant changes in technology and market demands.
Apple: Interesting Facts
Apple is a big company that makes all kinds of tech stuff, like computers and iPhones.
- How It Started: Apple was created by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne on April 1, 1976. The name “Apple” came from Jobs’s eating lots of fruits and thinking it was friendly and fun.
- Cool Computers: In 1983, the company made a computer called Lisa, the first one that people could use by looking at pictures on the screen instead of typing commands. This idea was used again in the Macintosh, which changed how people use computers.
- A Big Ad: Ridley Scott directed the brand’s famous TV ad during the 1984 Super Bowl. It showed a world where everyone thought the same until the Macintosh computer emerged.
- Design Matters: The products stand out for their simple and clean design, which was a priority for Steve Jobs. This approach makes the devices instantly recognizable.
- Apple Stores: The first stores opened in 2001 in Virginia and California. These locations are known for being inviting and pleasant places to shop.
- Music Goes Digital: iTunes, launched in 2001, changed how people buy music. Instead of CDs, people could buy music online, making iTunes the largest music store in the U.S.
- The iPhone: In 2007, the company introduced the iPhone, a revolutionary device with a touch screen and a sleek look. It became a global success and set new standards for mobile phones.
- App Store: Starting in 2008, the App Store allowed users to download various apps for their iPhones, creating opportunities for developers to share and sell their apps worldwide.
- Helping the Planet: The company is committed to reducing environmental harm by using clean energy and recycling. By 2030, it aims to achieve carbon neutrality across its production and products.
- A Big Deal: The organization is valued at an extraordinary level. It was the first U.S. company to surpass $1 trillion in value and has since reached the $2 trillion and $3 trillion milestones.
Font and Colors
All American corporation products, including the iPad and iPhone, are adorned with the famous Apple emblem. This legendary trademark has made the manufacturer famous and its products recognizable in different parts of the world. The bitten fruit is synonymous with Apple and the main element of its visual identity. That’s why it has remained unchanged since 1977, except for a slight change in the palette.
The modern logo has no inscriptions—they were present only on the old brand name, which was used from 1976 to 1977. The font was similar to Caslon’s, with minor deviations from the accepted letterforms.
Regarding the palette, the apple was completely black in the original version and placed on a pure white background. Until 1998, it was bright and colorful. The fruit consisted of six stripes (top to bottom): light green, yellow, orange, raspberry-red, purple, and blue.