The TikTok logo may appear quite simple, but it actually holds more meaning than you might think. And although TikTok is one of the giants in the realm of social media, the TikTok logo has undergone several modifications to achieve a powerful design that perfectly resonates with the vibrancy of TikTok.
So, what does the TikTok logo mean, and why does it work so well? Below, we delve deeper into the evolution of the TikTok logo since its creation in 2016 and the significance behind its design. For further inspiration on logos, don't miss the latest articles on the Ladybug website, where we share the latest tips on logo design.
The history of the TikTok logo
TikTok là một nền tảng truyền thông xã hội khá độc đáo khi nó bùng nổ vào năm 2017. Định dạng video đã thu hút thế hệ trẻ muốn làm nhiều việc hơn là chỉ chia sẻ hình ảnh về bữa tối của họ trên mạng xã hội – một thế hệ muốn biểu diễn. Kết quả là, ứng dụng nhanh chóng thu hút được lượng người theo dõi. Nhưng logo TikTok thực sự tồn tại với tư cách là một thương hiệu?
Mọi chuyện bắt đầu vào năm 2016, khi ByteDance của Trung Quốc ra mắt ứng dụng có tên A.me. Ứng dụng này nhanh chóng được đổi tên thành Douyin, có nghĩa là “âm thanh rung chuyển”. Cái mà chúng ta gọi là logo TikTok thực sự được tạo ra bởi ứng dụng Trung Quốc này, do đó tại sao nó bao gồm một nốt nhạc trông giống như đang rung và cũng giống với chữ D.
Cảm hứng logo TikTok
The inspiration behind the TikTok logo
Although using a musical note may seem somewhat misleading since TikTok is a video-based social media app rather than an online music streaming service, it aligns with the name Douyin and also carries significance because at least one of the key features of the app, especially in its early days, was lip-syncing videos. The ability to add music and reuse audio from other videos on the platform contributed to the app's success.
The company itself states that they wanted a logo that "captures the stage that TikTok has created for so many talented individuals." As a result, it was "designed to inspire creativity and bring joy to fans and creators worldwide."
The designer, who remains unnamed by TikTok, seemingly "chose black as the background of the logo to evoke the performances behind the app." Fair enough. Black also has the advantage of being distinct from the colors of any established social media platforms and can even create a slightly rebellious feel. The shade of teal and the floral pattern appear to be inspired by the designer's observation of the contrast between the dark background and the light effects at live concerts.
Logo TikTok đầu tiên
In 2017, ByteDance started its app outside of China as a separate app called TikTok after acquiring Musical.ly - a short-form video app based in Shanghai that already had a user base in the United States. However, it retained the logo it was using for the product in China. Ultimately, a musical note has the advantage of being a universal symbol rather than limited to a specific culture or language, so there was no issue with the logo working in a Western context.
The name "TikTok" is incorporated beneath the logo, originally spelled as two words in a basic sans-serif typeface with square corners.
The TikTok logo today
By the end of 2018, TikTok had grown to 271 million users (since surpassing the one billion mark). At this point, the brand decided to take some time to find a suitable typeface for the logo and created the label "TikTok" that is still used today. In the original logo, the text seemed somewhat disconnected, placed randomly beneath the brand, which may have happened by chance.
In the redesign, the text was crafted to appear more cohesive with the visual aesthetic, featuring a bolder typeface and removing the spacing between the words "TikTok." The effect of a turquoise shadow and floral pattern was added to the letter "O" to create reflection and enhance the connection, resulting in a more streamlined overall design.
Why the TikTok logo is so impactful
For most TikTok users, the resemblance of the TikTok logo to the letter 'D' and its connection to the meaning of 'Douyin' is irrelevant because they are not aware of the history of the TikTok logo or even the existence of the Chinese app. However, the logo seems to work perfectly despite the fact that it was clearly created by an anonymous designer rather than a brand-building company.
It does so because, perhaps even without knowing it, the designer used classic principles of logo design and color theory. The design is simple, clean, easily interpretable, and memorable. Meanwhile, the black and white colors provide clear contrast, while the shade of blue and the floral pattern, close to vibrant red, act as complementary colors that create dynamic accents around the edges of the logo, adding depth and making the 2D design appear more 3D by evoking contrasting elements of 3D imagery.
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