The best logos of the 1970s

The CBC logo from 1974
The CBC logo from 1974 (Image credit: CBC)

From political upheaval and workers’ strikes, to the maturation of commercial colour TV and the rise of disco. From the death of Elvis and the Vietnam War, to Concorde, Bowie, shagpile carpets and platform shoes. Whether remembered for austerity or decadence, the gloom or the boogie, the 1970s was a decade of polarities. 

And, equally varied, branding and logos of the era often saw fearless colour palettes, flowing type and vibrant motifs, alongside powerfully stark, minimalist design. Here, designers, authors and industry experts pick some of their favourite logos of the decade, in no particular order. 

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Antonia Wilson
Freelance writer and editor

Antonia Wilson is a freelance writer and editor. Previous roles have included travel reporter for the Guardian, and staff writer for Creative Review magazine, alongside writing for The Observer, National Geographic Traveller, Essentialist and Eco-Age, among others. She has also been a freelance editor for Vogue and Google, and works with a variety of global and emerging brands on sustainability messaging and other copywriting and editing projects — from Ugg and Ferragamo to Microsoft and Tate Galleries.

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