February 15, 2025

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Immortalizing Ideas

The Instagram brand: a historical past

The Instagram brand: a historical past

The Instagram logo is a single of the most common social media icons about, and a mainstay of smartphone homescreens all over the globe. Contrary to other social media logos, the Instagram emblem has been through a few of really substantial modifications since the app first launched in 2010.

In fact, the Meta-owned Instagram has rebranded a few situations in its 13 12 months record, most appreciably in 2016. The brand introduced that year is close to what we have now – but again in its early times, the Instagram logo was arguably a ton extra enjoyment. Test out each individual logo the application has utilised above the decades, and for far more style and design inspiration, consider a appear at the finest logos of all time.

The 1st Instagram symbol: 2010

The first Instagram logo

The initially Instagram brand (Graphic credit rating: Instagram)

When Instagram introduced in 2010, it did so with an application icon that appears to be very active by modern minimal requirements. Quite firmly from the world of skeuomorphism, you can almost touch the icon’s tacticle, plastic polaroid camera. But this exciting layout by Instagram founder Kevin Systrom himself wouldn’t even past a year.

The Instagram symbol: 2010 – 2016

Old Instagram logo

(Graphic credit score: Instagram)

End users of a particular classic will keep in mind the typical ‘viewfinder’ digital camera layout. Produced by designer Cole Rise, this was based mostly on a 1950s Bell & Howell digital camera. Again then, Instagram was all about classic filters that captured the glance of aged, analogue shooters, with rivals including the likes of Hipstamatic (keep in mind that?) – and this icon demonstrates exactly that vibe.

Old Instagram logo

(Graphic credit: Instagram)

In 2011, the emblem was tweaked (previously mentioned) for additional realism, with a additional reflective camera lens and leather top for the camera. This would last right until 2016, when skeuomorphism went out of the window in favour of minimalism and flat design and style. 

The Instagram symbol: 2016

Instagram logo

The 2016 Instagram logo (Impression credit rating: Instagram)

In 2016, Instagram was offered its most in depth rebrand nonetheless. Employing a gradient made of colours from the preceding logo’s rainbow, the new logo is a considerably flatter and more minimum just take on the preceding style and design. “The simpler layout puts additional concentrate on your shots and video clips with out shifting how you navigate the application,” the business stated in a blog site submit at the time. “Our up to date look reflects how vivid and various your storytelling has come to be.”

The Instagram emblem today 

Instagram logo

(Picture credit: Instagram)

Instagram’s most latest manufacturer refresh arrived in 2022, when the enterprise unveiled a edition of its logo with a substantially brighter gradient, showcasing “lively colors to make it sense illuminated and alive, and to sign moments of discovery”. This new gradient was created by artist Rose Pilkington.

In truth, while the initial iteration of the gradient logo seemed massively vibrant back in 2016, it seems to be quite restrained following to the new edition. One particular can only think about that the 2028 variation will be positively blinding. 

Instagram app icon

Outdated (remaining) vs new (right) (Image credit rating: Instagram/Upcoming owns)

And Instagram is evidently happy of its quite a few brand types. Back again in 2020, to rejoice its 10th birthday, the application permitted customers to use any of its previous logos as the application icon on their homescreen. If you are wanting for a lot more logo history inspiration, check out out the heritage of the YouTube logo.