The iconic Starbucks logo, with its distinctive green mermaid, is a brand hallmark recognized worldwide. The original color of this logo, however, has sparked curiosity among coffee enthusiasts and design aficionados alike. The question "What was the color of the original Starbucks logo?" has turned into a fascinating exploration into the evolution of one of the most recognizable brands globally.
To understand the original Starbucks logo color, we need to delve into the history of this renowned coffeehouse chain.
Birth of the Starbucks Logo
The first Starbucks store opened in Seattle, Washington, in 1971. However, it wasn't until much later that the company adopted its now-legendary logo featuring a mermaid. The logo's conception is a testament to the brand's evolution and its commitment to honoring nautical heritage.
The original logo, designed in 1971 by Terry Heckler, was a brown twin-tailed mermaid, a siren from Greek mythology. The use of brown was a nod to the company's roots in the coffee industry, symbolizing the color of roasted coffee beans.
1971: The Brown Mermaid
The initial logo featured a brown double-tailed mermaid, with a circular brown sash around her waist. Above her, the words "STARBUCKS COFFEE" were written in brown, and below, the company's full name was inscribed in smaller, brown cursive. This logo reflected the company's focus on the coffee bean's origin and its goals to communicate the traditional quality and flavor of its products.
1987: Introduction of the Green Mermaid
The first significant change to the Starbucks logo came in 1987. Howard Schultz, then the CEO of the company, felt the need to differentiate Starbucks from other coffee shops. The logo evolved into a green-contoured mermaid, with her hair being a significant change from the previous version. The green mermaid, along with the words "STARBUCKS COFFEE" in a new, modern serif font, was born.
The Green Mermaid: A Modern Icon
The green mermaid was designed to represent the siren from ancient sea folklore, enticing seafarers with her charms. It is believed that the green color was chosen to evoke calming and refreshing thoughts, reflecting the company's aspirations to provide a tranquil atmosphere amidst the bustling coffee shops.
The reason for the shift from brown to green is not explicitly documented, but many believe it signified the company's transition from focusing solely on coffee beans to offering a broader range of beverages and a unique, upscale coffeehouse experience.
The Evolution of the Green Mermaid
In 2011, Starbucks underwent another logo change, removing the words "STARBUCKS COFFEE" from around the mermaid. This move was made to create a more straightforward, recognizable, and iconic brand symbol. The green mermaid became the sole focus, standing out on a white background. This change allowed the company to create a more seamless customer experience by unifying its branding across different channels.
Color-code of the Green Mermaid
The specific shade of green used in the Starbucks logo is a proprietary color, created specially for the brand. However, it can be approximated with the Pantone color code PMS 359. In RGB, the closest match is 0, 121, 56. In CMYK, the green of the Starbucks mermaid is approximately 92, 0, 80, 30.
In conclusion, the Starbucks logo has undergone a fascinating journey, evolving from a brown mermaid representing coffee beans to a green siren symbolizing the brand's commitment to creating a welcoming and calming coffeehouse experience. The original Starbucks logo color was brown, but the shift to green has solidified the iconic status of the green mermaid, making it one of the world's most recognized symbols of coffee culture.