One of the most vital aspects of a record company's business is a brand that artists want to sign and consumers want to buy into. Many of the longest running and most successful record labels are instantly recognisable by their logo. Here are 12 top examples of record label logo designs to inspire you.
01. Sub Pop
Inspired by the clean lines of labels such as Blue Note and Motown, Sub Pop founder Bruce Pavitt had a very clear idea of how he wanted to brand his legendary Seattle label, Sub Pop. And decision to go for a stark, comparatively corporate design paid off in spades.
"We were trying to be very consistent in our packaging, very consistent in our sound, really putting focus on the region, in the same way that Motown put focus on Detroit Soul," Pavitt told Fast Company in 2012. "We saw what was there; we connected the dots; and we tightened it up so that anyone in the world could pick up a record and go, 'oh, Sub Pop.' We created fans that would pretty much buy anything on the label."
02. Alternative Tentacles
Established in 1979 as a label name for the Dead Kennedys' self-produced single, California Über Alles, Alternative Tentacles swiftly became home to many of the leading lights of the American alternative and punk scenes, including Nomeansno, D.O.A and the Butthole Surfers.
Its bat logo, designed by Winston Smith, a collage artist best known for his cut-up artwork for the Dead Kennedys, is a powerful punk-rock take on the Seal of the President of the United States.
03. Factory Records
Legendary Manchester-based label Factory Records launched in 1978, and featured several prominent musical acts – including Joy Division and The Happy Mondays – until the early 90s. The record label's iconic logo includes a graphic rendering of Manchester's industrial skyline.
04. Harvest Records
Internationally recognised artist and designer Roger Dean was the man behind the logo design for Harvest records. The label was launched by EMI in 1969 to market progressive rock music, and was home to artists such as Deep Purple and Pink Floyd.
05. Apple Records
The corporate logo design for the Beatles' multimedia company Apple Records was created by Gene Mahon. The simple yet effective design featured a bright green Granny Smith apple, obviously. Albums featured the common fruit whole on its A-side and the apple cut in half on its B-side.
06. Nervous Records
Founded back in 1991, Nervous Records can be recognised immediately by its eye-catching cartoon character logo. The New York City record label for underground house music and hip-hop has been home to artists such as Armand Van Helden, Masters At Work and Kim English.
07. Reinforced Records
Reinforced Records was started by Marc Mac and Gus Lawrence in 1989. Throughout the 90s, Reinforced earned a reputation as one of the most important and innovative drum'n'bass labels in the world. During this time, the duo met Goldie and, in exchange for artwork and logo design, let him work in their Dollis Hill studio.
08. Sympathy for the Record Industry
This eye-catching logo belongs to record label Sympathy for the Record Industry. The independent, mainly garage rock and punk label has been active since 1988. Owned by American entrepreneur Long Gone John, notable artists who started with Sympathy include The White Stripes and American alternative rock band Hole.
09. Warp
Warp (aka Warp Records) is an independent British record label, founded in 1989 by Steve Beckett, the late Rob Mitchell and Robert Gordon. The company's instantly recognisable logo was designed the same year by Ian Anderson of The Designers Republic.
10. Island Records
Island Records was founded in Jamaica in 1959 by Chris Blackwell, Graeme Goodall and Leslie Kong. Its distinctive silhouette palm tree logo has been on many famous albums from artists such as Bob Marley and U2. It is now based in New York City, and forms part of UMG Recordings.
11. Earache Records
Joshua M. Smith (the Orlando-based designer also known as Hydro74) created this amazing logo design last year as the label celebrated 25 years in the business. The distinctive graphic captures the label's extreme metal genre perfectly.
12. Motown
Another legendary record label, Motown, had a series of logos over the years. Probably its most famous is this square 'M' logo, which the company began using in 1965. The iconic graphic became instantly recognisable as the symbol for the Motown brand.
Contributions: Creative Bloq staff
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