Transformative Evolution of Nissan’s Iconic Logo

Creating a brand’s logo involves a lot more than coming up with a design that looks good. Every auto brand’s logo has a history and meaning. Even the seemingly simple Nissan logo has a deeper meaning behind that. It may look like a simple text-based logo to many, but there is an interesting story behind its inception and evolution. With the assistance of logo design services USA, Nissan crafted a logo that resonates with its brand identity.

The Nissan official logo has undergone four modifications since 1930 till date. Let’s find out the original Nissan logo meaning, its history and other important details. Nissan is a multinational company, established in 1933 in Japan.

Today it is the largest producer of electric cars across the globe and the world’s sixth-biggest automobile manufacturer. Even if you’re not an expert on the Nissan Motor Corporation, you can probably still recognize the Nissan logo with ease. One of the biggest car manufacturers globally, Nissan ships millions of vehicles worldwide. Read on for the Nissan logo history… With the aid of a logos design company, Nissan’s emblem evolved to reflect its journey and achievements.

Though somewhat simplistic compared to other automobile logos, the Nissan symbol is effective at capturing the attention of its audience and building awareness for the brand. You don’t need to be an expert in the automotive industry to recognize a Nissan car when the name of the company is emblazoned on the badge of every vehicle. With the expertise of a logo designer company, Nissan ensured its logo conveys its identity effectively.

Whether you’re a fan of Nissan motorcars, or you’ve always wanted to know a little more about how major brands choose their logos, you’re in the right place. Today, we’re going to be exploring the heritage and history of the Nissan logo. Nissan’s contemporary logo design is a testament to its commitment to innovation and staying relevant in the ever-changing automotive industry.

The Nissan Logo Meaning

The Nissan logo, a vibrant representation of the automaker’s future and innovation heritage, is designed to be lightweight, thin, and flexible, showcasing Nissan’s commitment to all-electric vehicles and capturing memories and milestones. Nissan is a Japanese acronym for the original automobile manufacturer, combining the names “Ni” (sun) and “ssan” (birth or product), inspired by Japan’s “Land of the Rising Sun” nickname and flag.

Meet The Nissan

Nissan, founded in 1993, is the third-largest automobile manufacturer in Japan and the sixth-largest globally. It operates under the name Nissan Motor Company and includes Datsun and Infiniti. Nissan is also known for selling the most vehicles to Russia, China, and Mexico.

The History Of The Nissan Logo

Nissan, a popular car manufacturer, offers a wide range of vehicles including Nissan, Datsun, and Infiniti. With a history dating back to 1933, Nissan’s iconic logo has become a globally recognized symbol. Explore Nissan’s dealerships and discover its history and iconic logo to find a suitable vehicle for your next car search.

Nissan is founded (1928)

Before Nissan was a publicly recognized company, it was first founded in 1928 in Tokyo. A few years later, in 1933, Nissan entered the Tokyo Stock Market, bringing the company public. When it entered the Tokyo Stock Market, Nissan entered as an automobile part company.

Nissan releases the Datsun Type 15 (1937)

Nissan initially focused on aviation and automobiles, but in 1937, it became an automobile company with the Datsun Type 15, the first mass-produced automobile in Japan.

Nissan Enters The United States Market (1958)

Nissan launched in the US in 1958, initially focusing on Japan, with the Datsun 1000 sedan. However, due to lack of manufacturing facilities, overseas sales required importation.

Nissan Opens a Manufacturing Facility in USA (1966)

Nissan opened a US manufacturing facility in 1966 to meet US demand, launching the Datsun 510 in 1968, catering to the American demographic in various models.

Nissan Grows in The American Market (1971)

With Nissan’s arrival in the American market, Nissan continued growing. In 1971, more than 250,000 Nissan automobiles were sold annually in the States and a few years later, in 1973, Nissan became the top vehicle importer to the United States.

Nissan Stays Competitive (2010s — Today)

Nissan introduced the Nissan Leaf in 2010, a zero-emission electric vehicle, and the Nissan Kicks, a modern crossover SUV, to cater to the growing demand for sustainable vehicles.

The Nissan’s Logo Evolution

Nissan’s logo design, inspired by Japan, has evolved over the years, reflecting its innovative nature. Inspired by the brand’s birthplace, the logo’s symbolism has never been lost, reflecting its continuous evolution since 1933.

The First Version (1933–1940)

The first unveiled Nissan logo featured a bold uppercase “Nissan” in uppercase across a circle symbol in a rectangle shape, incorporating a red, white, and blue color scheme.

The Second Version (1940–1950)

For this second iteration, Nissan updated the shape of the logo and the font choice. Instead of the bold, upper-case font used previously, this logo design opted for a script font that resembled handwriting.

The Third Version (1950–1959)

In 1959, Nissan simplified its logo by creating a rectangle with the brand name and maintaining the same color scheme as the previous logo.

The Fourth Version (1959–1960)

This logo update was only a small one, consisting of sharper corners and the removal of the logo’s outline. This update was made to help convey that the brand was focused on two things: power and progress.

The Fifth Version (1960–1967)

In 1960, Nissan introduced a modern, cursive font typography and silver color to its logo, giving it a distinct feel and being used on automobiles, unlike previous iterations.

The Sixth Version (1967–1970)

In 1967, Nissan played around with its logo again, this time introducing an entirely new color to the design — brown. Beyond the color addition, Nissan also incorporated a new font with this design, one that was a rounded italic typography.

The Seventh Version (1970–1983)

In 1970, Nissan reintroduced its rectangle logo design, using the rectangle to outline the “Nissan” name and updating the font to an uppercase, serif font.

The Eighth Version (1983–2001)

In 1970, Nissan reintroduced its rectangle logo design, using the rectangle to outline the “Nissan” name and updating the font to an uppercase, serif font.

The Ninth Version (2001–2020)

The Tenth Version (2020 — Today)

Nissan’s logo features a new symbol, two arches, on either side of the wordmark, aiming to elevate the brand to become a more luxurious entity, retaining many features from the original design.

The Nissan’s logo Font, Color & Symbol

Nissan’s logo font

Nissan’s logo design has evolved over time, with a geometric sans-serif font chosen to boldly depict the brand name, despite previous font choices ranging from rounded to script-based.

Nissan’s Logo Color

Nissan’s logo design has varied over the years, with variations in colors, 3D effects, and black and white. Today, it remains a consistent color scheme.

Nissan’s Logo Symbols

Nissan’s logo design features the rising red sun, a popular Japanese emblem, as the focal point. Since the 1950s, the brand name has been the focal point, with the symbol still present in logos.

Nissan Today

Nissan, founded in Yokohama, Japan, operates its global headquarters and has expanded to include Datsun and Infiniti automobiles. It has partnered with Renault and Mitsubishi since 1999, holding a 34% controlling interest in both.

FAQs

What does the Nissan logo represent?

The circular shape of the Nissan logo refers to the flag of Japan, which also has a circular element. The abstract ring with notches on the sides symbolizes the sun because the company’s homeland is called the Land of the Rising Sun.

Why did Nissan change its logo?

According to the car manufacturer, it wanted its new logo to be “thin, light, and flexible.” This reflected a trend towards fashionable minimalism with two-dimensional forms. Another goal pursued by Nissan was to make the sign as universal and simple as possible, as it was to be illuminated by LEDs on future models.

Is Nissan changing its logo?

Yes, Nissan changed its logo for 2020, removing the 3D look, silver lines, and wide horizontal icon. As a result, the chromed symbol disappeared. The inscription remained suspended in the air, and two holes appeared on the sides of the ring frame.

Conclusion

Within the automobile industry, competition is in abundance. Nissan was a brand that recognized this and responded with a logo design that is memorable, unique, scalable, and bold. Throughout the years, Nissan went through several redesigns, and that is the biggest lesson we can all learn from the brand. With the assistance of the best logo redesigns, Nissan successfully adapted its logo to stay relevant in a competitive market.

When it comes to your logo’s design, don’t be afraid to update your logo. Sometimes brands can keep their same logo for years, but that’s often not the case — and it wasn’t the case for Nissan. If you want to play around with different fonts or different colors, test it out. Try out different elements until you land on a logo that captures everything you want your logo to capture for your brand. Explore the best logo design services to find professionals who can assist you in refining your brand’s visual identity.

To learn more about how you can create a timeless and effective logo design, head over to any of Logo Design Magazine’s articles! No matter what article you end up on, you’ll leave with some new knowledge on how you can create a logo as memorable as Nissan’s! The Japanese automobile manufacturer Nissan has recently redesigned its two-decade-old logo.

Now, the new logo looks sleek and minimalist to reflect the company’s aspirations to enter the digital age with its electric vehicle. For assistance from experienced logo graphic designers, consider reaching out to professionals who can help you achieve a logo that truly represents your brand’s