Starbucks’ logo is one of the most iconic out there, but have you ever noticed the on-purpose-mistake designers added to make the siren even more special? Look closely and you might just spot it.
However you feel about Starbucks’ coffee (it’s a divisive issue, we know), there’s no denying the brand’s logo is one of the most iconic in design. Complete with fascinating backstory (we’ll go into that later) and previous iterations more, erm, graphic in nature, the caffeinated siren is instantly recognisable world over. But have you ever noticed the on-purpose-mistake designers put in there to make the siren even more special?
The small detail can be found at the upper-right side of the character’s nose. In case you haven’t seen it yet, we’ll give you a second alone with the design to see if you can work it out. (When you notice it, you’ll realise why this design is considered one of the best logos ever.)
See it yet? The logo designers decided to place an extended shadow falling from the eye, to the right-hand side of the nose – offsetting the symmetrical nature of the rest of the character design. But why? And has it always been there?
Well, no. Actually, the unsymmetrical shadow was only added in 2011, when Starbucks decided to make the siren more human and approachable. Whereas the previous iteration (from 1992 onwards, find it below) was completely symmetrical, the added imperfection makes her more intriguing and less ‘perfect’.