Author: Xiaobiao | Originally published on Logo Intelligence Bureau
Designer friends, hello again! The year-end retrospective is here! This is a special feature that Logo Intelligence Bureau has been publishing since 2011 (including this edition, we've persisted with this roundup for ten years now). At the end of each year, we systematically review the new changes in the world of logos over the past year. From these image upgrades, we hope to bring you some clever design inspirations.
In 2020, Logo Intelligence Bureau published 765 reports on logo changes and upgrades for both new and old brands. Among these, 382 were domestic reports. From these 312 pieces of content, considering factors like attention and influence, we've selected 90 representative cases for review. Of these, 16 were newly created brand logos in 2020, while the remaining 74 were upgrades from older brands.
Logo Intelligence Bureau’s Logo Change Publication Data (as of December 28, 2020, 23:00:00)
Good design is never accidental—it’s the result of patient refinement over time and effort. Among these 90 cases, most upgrades are like writers or speakers choosing the perfect words to convey their message. Designers select the right visual elements to express what they want to say. However, some cases led to visual chaos due to oversight or lack of feedback. Attempts to attach various meanings and messages through design sometimes failed to effectively showcase these elements, resulting in worse outcomes.
Below, the content is ordered chronologically. Click the related news release title link at the bottom of each item to read the original information page.
This article contains 12,872 words, 90 images, and an estimated reading time of 15 minutes—we recommend bookmarking it! All trademarks and image copyrights appearing in this article belong to their rightful holders and are used solely for informational purposes, not commercial use. If unintentionally infringing on your rights, please contact us promptly.
1. Internet
Every year, logo upgrades for internet companies and products top the list—this year was no exception. This year’s logo changes or updates included Douyin (TikTok), Baidu, Kuaishou, Gaode Maps, Tencent Maps, and more.
1. Huoshan Xiaoshipin (Volcano Video)
On January 8, ByteDance’s product Huoshan Xiaoshipin was renamed Douyin Huoshan Ban (TikTok Volcano Edition) and unveiled a new logo. The new icon merges Douyin’s logo with flames, enhancing brand unity.
👉 Read the full news release here
2. Meiyan Camera
Meiyan Camera’s new logo retains pink, camera elements, color bars, and lenses from the original design but simplifies the style for a more youthful, energetic look.
3. WeChat Public Platform
After eight years, the WeChat Public Platform was upgraded to "Official Accounts." The logo shifted from the classic chat bubble to a flat, minimalist icon of three green crescent shapes encircling one another.
4. Alipay
On March 10, Alipay updated its logo, replacing the light blue used for nearly five years with a brighter blue to reflect its evolution from a payment tool to a digital lifestyle platform.
5. Douyin (TikTok)
In 2020, Douyin continued to dominate short videos. The new logo sheds the "short video" label, reflecting its global appeal.
6. TIM
TIM, Tencent’s simplified version of QQ, updated its logo by adjusting the brand color and thickening the font.
7. Hupu
Hupu, a popular domestic sports community, updated its logo in 2020 to emphasize the characters "Hupu" in a staggered layout.
8. Baidu Hi
Baidu Hi rebranded as "Ruliu," introducing a new logo featuring abstract dialogue bubbles and wave motifs.
9. Taobao Alliance
Taobao Alliance updated its logo to an infinity symbol, representing open and inclusive business principles.
10. Baidu
Baidu’s new logo, designed by Canger Fonts, began rolling out in 2020.
FAQs
Q1: Which logo redesign was the most controversial in 2020?
A1: Tongcheng Travel’s rebranding to "Tongcheng Lvxing" sparked significant debate due to its radical departure from the original design, leaving users struggling to adapt.
Q2: Which tech company updated its logo to a brighter blue?
A2: Alipay shifted from light blue to a vibrant bright blue to symbolize its transformation into a digital lifestyle platform.
Q3: Did any automotive brands launch new logos in 2020?
A3: Yes! LanTu (Dongfeng Motors’ premium EV brand) and Hengchi (Evergrande’s automotive brand) both debuted new logos.
Q4: Which social media platform removed its "short video" label from its logo?
A4: Douyin (TikTok) refreshed its logo to move beyond the "short video" association, emphasizing its global appeal.
Q5: Were there any new city branding logos introduced in 2020?
A5: Yes! Jiangmen (Guangdong) and Huzhou (Zhejiang) unveiled fresh, minimalist city logos that stood out from traditional designs.
👉 Explore more logo transformations here
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