How do you buy a musical instrument? In this uber-competitive industry, image reigns supreme. Because logo design is a huge part of brand image, it is easy to see why the following ten musical instrument companies have such a fanatic following.

1. Zildjian Logo Design

As the oldest family-run business in the United States, it is only appropriate that this company use an ultra-traditional music logo design. In this case, the logo is text only, with a font that is clearly reminiscent of the company’s Turkish and Armenian roots. The wavy designs of the logo communicate movement, while the plain black color and the lack of an image virtually guarantees that this well-recognized logo will have the staying power to last another several centuries.

2. Fender Logo Design

This is perhaps one of the most recognized logos in the music industry. The unique font appears to be a signature, while the mixture of lower case and upper case letters gives an off-beat, artistic touch. The wavy lines created by the upper case E’s again give a feeling of movement that is very important in a entertainment logo design for this industry. The red color definitely grabs attention, but the logo is just as powerful when reproduced in black or metallic tones.

3. Halo Guitars Logo Design

This logo definitely ties into the name, with a halo crossing the ‘H’ instead of a normal line. This clever accent hints at the artistic potential of the company. The slightly different size of the two sides of the H adds visual interest while bolstering this creative image. However, the rest of the logo is ultra-conventional, with a simple black and white color palette and plain writing. The balance of the conventional and the creative makes for a well balanced logo design.

4. Steinway & Sons Logo Design

Tradition and quality are both key parts of the Steinway brand, which is why this logo design is so appropriate. The lyre is an ancient musical instrument that has left an enormous impact on music history, an impact shown in words such as ‘lyric’ that use the name as a root, and therefore an appropriate image for this company. The metallic gold implies quality, which is another fitting reference. The plain font is simple and elegant enough to withstand the test of time.

5. Peavey Logo Design

Triangular shapes are a symbol of strength, so it is likely no coincidence that this pointy logo design seems to use triangular shapes throughout the wording. However, the font is also roughly reminiscent of pop art in the seventies and eighties. The letters are nested together to fit well, making the logo compact and attractive. The slightly angled lettering gives a feeling of forward movement that is very complimentary for the music industry.

6. Gibson Logo Design

The Gibson logo is similar to the Peavey one in its angling, but this is where the similarity ends. This logo design features very different writing, with a gently rounded font that is friendlier to prospective buyers without any hard edges. The way the letters are not joined at places gives that all-important artistic image, while the wavy accents give a feeling of movement that was achieved in a very different way in the Peavey logo.

7. BassLab Logo Design

This bass guitar manufacturer includes several archetypical images in a cohesive and visually appealing way. First, we see the wavy line that communicates movement, this time in a fun, youthful gray and orange color scheme. A square shape communicates tradition and straightforwardness while also forming the background for a molecular shape that both ties into the name and suggests that superior technology goes into these products. The writing is bold and substantial, but also rounded. Altogether, this is a well rounded and memorable image that will inspire bass players to give this brand a try.

8. Gretsch Logo Design

What could be more appropriate for a drum manufacturer than the image of a drum? This is the central image of this logo design, with a rounded shape that makes this otherwise angular logo seem friendlier. The G is rounded to fit neatly inside the drum set. The writing is slanted slightly and, while rounded, is extremely bold and thick, making for a substantial image. This simple image is nonetheless communicative and recognizable.

9. Rieger-Kloss Pipe Organs Logo Design

The image of a pipe organ dominates this logo design, leaving no questions as to what this company does for a living. This image is nestled inside a circle, with the same friendly and inclusive effect seen in the above examples. The cool grayish blue colors are calming and deep, while the font is written in a craftsman style that is distinctly old fashioned while also implying that this company puts a lot of work and care into their products. This artisan image is very appropriate for this hands-on field.

10. Pearl Logo Design

Pearl Drums are another product that uses a simple signature as a logo design. The name of the company is written in a scrolling, cursive font that is distinctly traditional without being stodgy. The word is underlined to give it special emphasis. Although the writing is simple, it is thick in parts for a bold image. The serifs are curved in a manner that is distinctively artistic and even feminine. Although drums are generally regarded as a loud and brash instrument, this gentle, graceful logo implies that there is more to this brand than meets the eye.

Tickets to Success: Top Ten Entertainment Business Logos

The entertainment industry is a field where customers usually buy the product before having even seen it. They must trust the company enough to assume that the product will be worth their upfront investment. Because this requires trust and confidence, a business logo for this field must be particularly inspiring. These ten entertainment industry logos are strong enough to provide a strong brand for the company and convince customers that their products are worth the money.

1. Dreamworks Logo

The movie company Dreamworks has a name that suggests sleeplike catharsis and escape from reality, which is something that many people want from a movie. Their logo is just as dreamy. It features not a man in the moon, but a small boy in the moon with a fishing pool. The deep blue hues along with the clouds accented by moonlight give the logo a sleepy feeling. The name and the logo both suggest that the movie films from this company will be a relaxing and escapist experience.

2. Twentieth Century Fox Logo

Twentieth Century Fox portrays both strength and the style of Old Hollywood with their business logo. The letters of the company appear to be carved out of stone. They are a rich, reflective gold, associated with luxury and wealth. Large lights, which are traditionally associated with theater, surround the name. In the background, it is dusk, the time when many people head to the theaters to catch a movie. These entertainment logo symbols combined into one cohesive logo make this logo a success.

3. RKO Pictures Logo

This logo has perhaps changed the least of any entertainment business logo. It simply features a radio tower, a throwback to the company’s past as a radio industry giant, on top of a globe. This suggests that this company dominates the world in its industry, which is not far from the truth. The name is written in modern letters in the color red, which is an attention-getting color.

4. Metro Goldwyn Mayer Logo

Metro Goldwyn Mayer is one of the original film companies, and it not so coincidentally has one of the most recognizable logos in the film industry. The business logo features a cameo-like picture of a lion, which was the mascot of the founder’s college. However, lions also can suggest strength, leadership, and loyalty, which is a positive first impression for any company to portray. Few people know that the words surrounding the lion, “Ars Gratis Artis” are Latin for “Art for Art’s Sake”. This logo is a clear winner because it is unique, tied into company culture, and has high recognition among movie goers.

5. Universal

Universal Pictures is one of the oldest entertainment industry companies, and they have a logo that ties into their name and their industry. The business logo of this company features a globe, representing the ‘Universal’ nature they are trying to portray. The globe is backlit as if from a large light such as those used in the film industry, tying into the company’s trade. The logo has dark colors in the background with bright colors in the foreground, creating a sense of brilliance and balance.

6. Paramount

The Paramount business logo features a mountain rising out of the clouds. While mountains and triangles both imply strength, the clouds surrounding this mountain imply lofty height. The blues and purples of the logo imply an evening’s calm. The ring of stars originally had 24 stars, one for each of the studio’s original contracted workers. However, the ring was redesigned with 22 stars simply because it was more aesthetically pleasing. In any case, the star is a symbol commonly associated with Hollywood, and thus very appropriate.

7. Sony Pictures

Sony Pictures is an entertainment industry giant with a business logo that is recognizable around the world. The logo features a rectangle, which is reminiscent of the screen most movies are viewed upon. It is divided by lines that become thinner toward the right side of the shape, adding visual interest. There appears to be a spotlight focused on the rectangle, which is a popular symbol of the music industry. Because this logo is both memorable and relevant to its industry, it is very appropriate for a company of this stature.

8. New Line Cinema

The New Lines Cinema Company aims to be just a little different from the others, and this value is portrayed by both their name and their logo. The business logo features a portion of film, which is a common entertainment industry symbol. However, one edge of the film lies diagonally across the film instead of on the side where it usually is. The message? That this film company is just a little different and edgier from the others.

9. Castle Rock Entertainment

Castle Rock is a medium-sized film company that is neither an industry giant nor a small independent company. However, this company is respected both among filmgoers and within its industry. While part of this is due to the high quality of the movies that are made here, at least part is because of the business logo. This logo features a lighthouse, which traditionally suggests both safety and ‘lighting the way’. The lighthouse is backlit by the moon, which looks strikingly like a movie light, a common entertainment industry symbol. The impression is that you are safe choosing a film from this company, and that they are a reliable source of entertainment.

10. Lions Gate Entertainment

Lions Gate is one of the largest independent film companies, and its business logo expresses this by being unique while using common entertainment techniques. The logo features simply the company name, avoiding the entertainment industry tradition of choosing a central icon. However, the company name is bathed in light, as if from the lights typical of a movie logo. It also is surrounded by clouds, another common theme in the entertainment industry. The message is that this is a movie company, but that it is just a little different from the rest of the pack.

The movie industry has its own rules and its own symbols, and the business logos of the most successful film houses show this in a visual, easily understandable form. Whether it is a traditional logo bringing up images of Old Hollywood, or a new age logo using the best of modern symbolism, each of these logos perfectly describes the company that sponsors it.