WWF concept logo reflects today's most vulnerable creature

Inspiration
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This reimagining of the World Wide Fund for Nature logo puts the spotlight on a different animal.

Since 1961, international wilderness preservation organisation WWF has been recognised by an iconic logo design based on Chi Chi - a Giant Panda from London Zoo. However times move on and agency Grey London argue that after 50 years it's time to refresh the logo in order to make sure WWF stays relevant.

Considering that the Giant Panda has been removed from the endangered species list and downgraded to 'vulnerable', it makes sense that a different animal represents the WWF brand. Grey London opted for the polar bear, as this animal sums up the biggest threat to modern wildlife - climate change.

With its habitat melting beneath its feet, the polar bear has become the unwitting poster boy for the destructive consequences of climate change. To symbolise this issue, Grey London's logo transforms from the panda to the polar bear, before appropriately dissolving away. Watch it in action below.

The new uses the polar bear as a symbol of issues threatening the world's animals

The new uses the polar bear as a symbol of issues threatening the world's animals

 Wiktor Skoog, Strategic Design Director at the agency, says “The WWF ‘panda’ logo is one of history’s iconic designs. But with panda numbers recovering and wildlife as a whole under an unprecedented threat, we feel this redesign — as close as stylistically possible to the original — can encourage conversation around climate change and symbolise not just one species, but all of them. It’s something that Matteo [Alabiso, designer] has captured beautifully.

“We know new logos cost money — money which would be better spent on WWF’s many commendable initiatives. This is why we have designed this new logo, which we offer to WWF completely free of charge and inclusive of all rights, usage and intellectual property. If WWF is interested in taking on this new design as its logo, we also offer the organisation an entire corporate identity rebranding, free of charge.”

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Dom Carter
Dom Carter
Freelance writer

Dom Carter is a freelance writer who specialises in art and design. Formerly a staff writer for Creative Bloq, his work has also appeared on Creative Boom and in the pages of ImagineFX, Computer Arts, 3D World, and .net. He has been a D&AD New Blood judge, and has a particular interest in picture books.