Film Company Logos Research

Company Logos

History & Observations

Warner Brothers

  • Founded in 1923, Warner Bros. first used a simple shield design with "WB" in the center.
  • Over the years, the logo evolved, with the famous gold and blue shield appearing in 1948.
  • In 1998, Warner Bros. introduced a CGI-rendered version of the shield.

  • The modern version (2020) is a sleeker, more minimalistic take on the shield with a flatter, digital-friendly look.
    • Observations:
    • Classic emblem designs (like a shield) create strong brand recognition.
    • Gold and blue colors are used to symbolize prestige and trust.
    • Modern redesigns tend to simplify older logos to make them more versatile across different media formats.
    Universal Pictures
  • The first logo (1914) featured a plane flying around the Earth with “Universal Films” written across.
  • In the 1920s, the globe became the key symbol of the brand.
  • 1963 introduced a new glowing, futuristic-looking Earth, reflecting the space race era.
  • The 1997 and 2012 versions updated the CGI effects, making the Earth hyper-realistic and the text sleek.

    • Observations:

    • The globe represents global influence and suggests that Universal’s films reach audiences worldwide.
    • The company continuously updates visual effects in its logo to reflect advancements in filmmaking technology.
    • Majestic orchestral music (like the 1997 fanfare) enhances brand identity.

    20th Century Studios (formerly 20th Century Fox)
  • The iconic golden Art Deco searchlight design first appeared in 1935.
  • In the 1950s, the logo became three-dimensional as technology improved.
  • The fan-favorite 1994 CGI remake by Blue Sky Studios made the logo more cinematic.
  • After Disney’s acquisition in 2019, “Fox” was dropped from the name, leading to a revised 20th Century Studios logo.

    • Observations:

    • Art Deco style gives a timeless, classic Hollywood feel.
    • Spotlights symbolize showmanship and grand spectacle.
    • Strong typography (bold, blocky text) creates an unforgettable brand image.

    Columbia Pictures
  • The first logo (1924) featured a female figure holding a torch, representing Columbia, a historical personification of America.
  • Over time, the design simplified, and in 1992, a new version was painted by Michael Deas, creating the famous CGI-enhanced “Torch Lady” look.
  • The modern logo still retains the same composition but with digital refinements.


    • Observations:

    • Personification adds a human element, making the brand more relatable.
    • Symbolism (torch = enlightenment, guidance) creates a sense of purpose.
    • Minimal but powerful evolution keeps the logo recognizable.
    Sony Picture
  • Sony acquired Columbia Pictures in 1989, and in 1992, they introduced a simple text-based “Sony Pictures” logo.
  • The 2000s saw a refined version with a striped pillar design, resembling film strips.
  • Sony’s branding remains minimalistic, aligning with its sleek, modern image.

    • Observations:

    • More abstract and corporate-looking than classic Hollywood studios.
    • Simplicity makes it adaptable across different platforms.
    • Film strip elements subtly reference cinema.
    Our Logo

    Our Previous Design / Current Prototype
    We went for a sleek and modern design that is memorable and minimalistic,
    However I was thinking that we could go for a more thriller-esque vibe. This would mean that we would maybe change the font color to silver and add red elements. At the moment our logo transitions out with a disintegrating effect, but it'd add a more mysterious vibe if it appeared / disappeared to fog, or even just blurred or glitched.

    Our final product is still in the works, as I have experienced some technical difficulties with my editing software. 


















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