SHOES
The Meanings and Differences of the Symbols of the Adidas Brand
May
In today’s sports shoe market, it’s impossible not to mention the Adidas brand. Over time, Adidas has continued to grow, and alongside that, the iconic logo for the brand has also evolved. Depending on the promotional period or product line, different Adidas logos are used. That’s why today we’ll unveil the meanings and differences of 3 beautiful yet familiar Adidas logos through various time periods.
1. Logo Representing the Entire Corporation
When creating the Adidas brand, executives of the corporation were always uncertain about which logo to choose as the main symbol for Adidas.
By 2005, the staff of the corporation decided to choose the simplest, most memorable logo: three horizontal stripes next to the word Adidas to serve as the official logo.
This Adidas logo meets the criteria of simplicity, memorability, and flexibility. Because of this logo, customers can easily recall other Adidas logos.
The idea of the brand’s three stripes originated from the design of shoes by the Dassler brothers. Initially, these three diagonal stripes were sewn onto different parts of the shoes to improve grip and stability during rapid movement.
However, over time, this detail evolved into decorative three stripes and became the distinctive symbol for the entire Adidas corporation.
2. Explanation of the Three-Stripe Triangle Adidas Logo
The three-stripe triangle logo is the most recognizable Adidas logo, introduced in 1991, known as Adidas Performance (referring to the athleticism of sports). Hence, this logo often appears on sports shoes, sport-related products like clothing, bags, backpacks, etc. Additionally, the brand uses this logo for sponsoring clubs and sports-related disciplines such as football, rugby, etc.
Furthermore, the three stripes in the Adidas logo triangle are designed at a 30-degree angle. Creators also mentioned that these three stripes symbolize mountains, with the rear mountain always higher than the front one, implying challenges to overcome.
Moreover, there’s a meaningful accompanying slogan: “Challenge to be faced, Goals to be achieved.
3. Explaining the Trefoil Logo – What Are Adidas Originals?
Another Adidas logo we often see is the three-leaf clover. The three-leaf clover is the main image, and this logo is known as the “Trefoil logo” or “Adidas Originals” – here, Trefoil means three leaves – created in 1971.
The corporation decided to use this logo for decorative purposes, to add a fashionable touch to the products rather than solely for sports purposes. Additionally, designs with this logo are recognized for their “old-school”, retro feel with a unique charm, especially favored by young sneaker enthusiasts.
Therefore, in products like Adidas Stan Smith or Adidas Superstar and some other OG lines, you’ll find this logo. This logo represents Adidas Original – a different direction from Adidas Performance.
4. Circular Logo – Adidas Neo Logo
The circular Adidas logo is the least known logo among consumers. It retains the three characteristic stripes but they’re placed within a circle. This logo was created to represent products with Adidas Style characteristics, and it’s one of the segments Adidas invests in the sports shoe market.
In this segment, Adidas has launched product lines suitable for each consumer.
For example, Adidas NEO is a product line with affordable items, sometimes even lower than the average market price, to attract consumers, especially the young.
Or like the Y-3 product line (a collaboration between Adidas and Yohji Yamamoto), it’s a branch with a strong fashion sense, upscale pricing.
These are the three prominent logo lines and their meanings. Hopefully, through this article, you’ve gained more insightful information about the famous Adidas brand.
