The Memorable Cloud Logo Indicates That Sky’s the Limit with Salesforce
How can you let your target audience know that you simultaneously provide several vital business functions? The Salesforce logo is a perfect example.
There’s massive competition in the CRM market nowadays, but one of the most respected names in the industry is Salesforce. The brand positions itself as “more than just a CRM system.” And the cornerstone of its brand recognition lies in the consistency of its visual identity.
One of its most recognizable assets is the Salesforce logo. A simple blue cloud made from 6 circles with an inscription in the center helped boost Salesforce’s image to incredible heights – making it one of the coolest best logo designs.
Throughout its 23-years-long history, the company has only had two logos. Both rely on the playful cloud-shaped emblem with an inscription in the center. The composition is the same; the elements and their positioning didn’t change. However, the features of these elements have been altered.
But what makes the Salesforce logo a good fit for their mission and vision? And why have they switched the original design?
The Salesforce Logo Design Featured the Original Cloud Logo with a Creative Color Story (1999-2014)
The primary Salesforce icon emerged in 1999. It presented a cloud with an inscription in the center. The color combination included sky blue near the edges and a white background for the typeface.
The colors flowed smoothly through the brilliant use of radial gradient, from white in the center to a continually intensifying sky blue near the edges. With a silver contour surrounding the cloud, it was brought to life through 3D modeling. The color combination helped arouse a more realistic feel to it with the help of an uneven color scheme, causing a strong impression of spatial presence.
The wordmark was cleverly split into two parts with varying colors and styles. “Sales” was in a sharp and clean serif font, dressed in cloudy grey. “Force” was in the same font but in black. The “F” was elongated and curved on both sides, acting like a border between the two words.
This maneuver also helped establish a subtle and effective hierarchy among the words. Through the color choice and creative way of separating them, the company emphasized the “Force” describing their work.
The New Salesforce Logo Delivers a Unified Brand Message Through Minimalist Approach (2014-Present)
The company decided to retire the original logo after 15 years and present a modern solution. The logo designers went for a minimalistic design and removed some logo features. The first noticeable change: it's no longer in 3D. The silverish outline is gone, and the cloud is now entirely blue.
The designers’ ability to introduce a drastic change while maintaining the same message makes the Salesforce logo one of the best logo redesigns. The new Salesforce icon contains the same elements with a different layout. The cloud is now monochrome – colored into rich electric blue. The lettering turned entirely white. This contrast helps Salesforce communicate its stylish simplicity.
The wordmark is in the form of a single word. The stylized “F” has been omitted for a more unified message, relieving the stress from the “Force” part of the word.
The designers chose a simplified font for this logo. So, instead of the original serif, the inscription is now written in a sharper sans-serif font. This swap helped increase clarity while staying in line with the minimalistic fashion.
The Different Looks and Common Theme of the Salesforce Logos
As the best branding agencies prove time and time again - simple isn't synonymous with unequivocal, and there's more than meets the eye when it comes to Salesforce's logo design
The blue and white combination is a common color story among SaaS businesses. Salesforce joins brands like Skype and Twitter on this color scheme bandwagon.
Blue symbolizes a welcoming and friendly environment, while white signals trustworthiness and reliability. So, both logos are inviting and suited to the typical tech and digital market.
Preserving the shape of the design indicates brand consistency – their mission and vision remain the same. The cloud-shaped base is crafted out of six integrated circles. Each depicts the main cloud-based services they offer:
- Sales Cloud
- Marketing Cloud
- Commerce Cloud
- Service Cloud
- Experience Cloud
- Analytics Cloud
Switching to a monochrome cloud makes the logo easier on the eye. The white inscription sends a calming and reassuring vibe. When combined, these features give off a contemporary professional look to the redesign. By adapting to the times while keeping its metaphorical meaning intact, the new emblem deserves a spot among the best-redesigned logos.
There could be more than meets the eye to retain the cloud shape. Integrating circles into a single cloud is in line with the global market. It symbolizes the company’s various products and the inclusion of its customers and employees. The US-based company provides services worldwide, so subtle indications of embracing different cultures benefit the brand image.
