A brief history of the Salomon logo: From ski edges to outdoor gear
The Salomon logo has become an iconic symbol in the world of outdoor sports over the years. Though, throughout Salomon logo history, the company has primarily used an “S” shape accompanied by a wordmark for branding, elements of the design have changed.
Since the company originally launched in 1947, it has worked collaboratively with various designers and experts to refine and improve its imagery. However, like many well-known sneaker brands, Salomon has remained true to its origins, using similar components in each design.
On a broad level, Salomon’s logo is intended to be simple, sophisticated, and inspirational. It’s instantly recognizable for its creative use of shapes and lines. What’s more, the versatile image works well across the wide range of products produced by the Salomon brand.
Today, we’re going to take a closer look at the Salomon brand mark, and how it has evolved over the decades to connect with a huge global audience.
The Salomon symbol: Introducing the Salomon brand
Before we jump into Salomon logo history, let’s take a closer look at the brand itself and its origins. Otherwise known as the “Salomon Group”, Salomon is a French manufacturer of sports equipment and apparel.
It first launched in 1947, when Francois Salomon created his outdoor sports accessories company in the heart of the French Alps. Initially, the organization focused on producing ski edges in a small workshop. The family-based business was supported by Francois’ son, Georges.
Georges is credited with taking the company and transforming it into the global brand consumers know today. Currently, Salomon produces products for a range of sports markets, including skiing, snowboarding, hiking, running, and climbing.
The company specializes in apparel for outdoor sports, offering everything from jackets and shorts, to shoes intended for skiing and snowboarding. Fashion icons like Hailey Bieber and Bella Hadid have all shown interest in Salomon shoes.
When working on its brand design, the company has worked alongside numerous designers and graphic artists, consistently working to preserve elements of its history, while pushing the Salomon name into the future of sports design.
Salomon logo history: When did Salomon change its logo?
Since its inception, Salomon has used two core elements in every logo it has produced, an “S” monogram, and a wordmark. However, both of these components have changed a number of times over the years, with some alterations appearing more subtle than others.
The most recent version of the Salomon logo, introduced in 2022, was created by the internal team, with the support of two external branding agencies. According to the company, it’s intended to be a manifestation of Salomon’s design ethos.
The Salomon logo is simple and straightforward, with a high level of refinement, and a focus on the intersection between the past and the future.
The original Salmon logo
The very first logo introduced for Salomon in the early years of the brand’s history wasn’t too far removed from the image we know today. It featured the monogram “S”, in large serif font, with block rectangles on each edge of the letter.
Underneath the “S” symbol, we see the Salomon wordmark, depicted in a somewhat textured sans-serif font, all in uppercase. The original design also introduced the official color palette of the company: black and white, which has remained the same ever since.
The 1960s
During the 1960s, Salomon updated its logo slightly. The serif font and blocky edges used in the previous monogram were replaced with a simpler, sleeker “S” shape. However, a geometric edge still remained present within the image.
The monogram color palette was also inverted, featuring a white “S” on a black, rectangular background. Underneath the monogram, the wordmark remained largely the same, though the letters were made slightly thicker.
The 70s and 80s
During the 70s and 80s, Salomon refined its logo again. The colors of the “S” monogram were switched back to black on a white background, and the edges of the character were simplified. The Salomon wordmark was italicized slightly.
The letters retained their sans-serif design, and remained in all uppercase, but they slanted slightly towards the right, depicting forward motion and progression.
The 1990s
During the 1990s, Salomon experimented with its logo design in two different ways. The “S” monogram was split diagonally in half, with a sleek white line. The edges of the letter were also simplified again, with smaller dips on the top and bottom of the “S”.
The wordmark retained its slight slant, but the lettering changed a little to match the new style of the monogram. The characters were slimmer, and more geometric.
1996
1996 marked an interesting period in Salomon logo history. The company eliminated its “S” monogram for the first time, choosing a swirling symbol to represent the brand instead. The swirl reminded fans of snow, weather, and natural forces.
The wordmark used alongside the swirling icon was similar to that of the previous design, though the letters were a little shorter, and more elongated.
2013
In 2013, Salomon updated to a lowercase wordmark for the first time. The stylized font gave the company a more balanced and modern appearance. The “a” in particular was quite eye-catching, appearing to blend perfectly with the “s” next to it.
The monogram returned, and featured a similar design to the one used in the 1960S, with a white character placed on a black background. However, this time, the rectangular background featured rounded, softer edges.
2022
In 2022, Salomon worked alongside a number of design experts to recreate its emblem for the modern age. The company said they wanted to modernize their image, while still drawing attention to the history, heritage, and values of the Salomon brand.
The new image now consists of a wordmark similar to the one produced in the 90s, but with thicker lines and stronger edges. The characters were once again made uppercase, and they slant slightly towards the right, to highlight forward progression.
The “S” symbol is also similar to the one used in previous designs, particularly the image created in the 70s and 80s. It’s an all-black character, in a geometric font, placed on a white background.
The Salomon logo: Fonts and colors
Although there have been many alterations to the company’s visual image throughout Salomon logo history, the company has successfully retained a lot of the core elements of its brand.
The black and white color palette, as well as the combination of a monogram and wordmark in the logo design have remained crucial to the Salomon company. According to the creative director of the company, the most recent visual identity highlights the organization’s history and personality.
The logo is a subtle tribute to the brand’s history, with a few contemporary updates, intended to appeal to a new generation of consumers.
You can take a closer look at the Salomon logo in detail with the resources below:
What color is the Salomon logo?
While aspects of the company’s visual identity have been refined and altered over the years, the Salomon logo colors have always remained the same. Officially, the Salomon logo color palette consists simply of black and white.
However, there have been variations of the emblem that have used these colors in different formats and styles. Additionally, like many sneaker and sportswear brands, Salomon has recreated its logo in different colors for a variety of products.
What font does the Salomon logo use?
The Salomon “S” monogram, as well as the Salomon logo font used in the company’s wordmark, was designed specifically for the company by a team of designers. The geometric, sans-serif font is clean and simple, intended to improve legibility, and demonstrate the strength of the company.
Although the company has experimented with a range of different typefaces over the years, the current wordmark is bold and powerful. It’s intended to showcase authenticity and transparency. What’s more, the slightly italicized letters demonstrate growth and progression.
The sophisticated appeal of the Salomon brand mark
A journey through Salomon logo history shows us how companies can gradually refine their logos with subtle tweaks, without losing sight of their brand identity.
The Salomon logo might seem simplistic, but it pays homage to the company’s history perfectly, while also demonstrating a commitment to forward progression, and modernity.
Everything from the bold wordmark, to the stylized monogram sends an important message about the values and promise of the Salomon company. This powerful logo effectively sets Salomon apart from its competitors, and connects with consumers on an emotional level.
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