Presidential Logos // Hidden Messages
Graphical style is as important to politicians as it is to any brand when it comes to conveying the core message of a brand without words. As the election season reaches a frenzy I’m naturally drawn to the visual messaging that is clearly — though perhaps imperceptibly to an untrained eye — affecting people’s perceptions of each candidate.
Hillary Clinton
A red arrow pointing to the right, but where’s her name? The logo needs no name because you know the brand. It’s the Nike Swoosh without the word “Nike.”
Hidden Messages: Using “H” and not “C” for the icon creates some distance between her and Bill. She wants to be seen as her own person. Her man doesn’t define her.
Geometric shapes are aesthetically appealing to millennials.
She is a democrat (blue party) but the red arrow overlaps the blue a so it can be translated to moving to the right/center.
Reminds me of: Hidden arrow from the FedEx logo. A toppled house.
Donald Trump
Trump’s logo is very simple. Mostly blue with big solid letters that make it a strong image. You can’t miss it. No frills. It’s very cut and dry.
Hidden Messages: Depending on who you ask, when all-caps are used it signals manufactured confidence, or yelling. Add a space between each letter adds more emphasis.
The “make America great again” tagline is a smart idea because it communucates a message as soon as you see the logo.
Blue promotes trustworthiness and masculinity so the more the better. Lack of red (red party) hints at willingness to break or wanting to be perceived as different from the pack.
Reminds me of: I truly can’t think of another logotype that’s this overbearing.
Bernie Sanders
First name with a couple of waves and a star over the letter i.
Hidden Messages: The Sander’s campaign chose to go with his first name in an attempt to become quickly familiar. You're on a first name basis with a Senator.
The wave shape has a water effect but it’s wide meaning it’s calm and steady.
The waves can also be seen as a groovy throwback and could signal marijuana legalization for some.
Reminds me of: Ivory Soap or Aquafresh packaging.
Ted Cruz
This icon emotes the fire and passion for the USA.
Hidden Messages: More red than blue in the logo. “I’m so anti-blue I’ll make the letters in my name gray instead of blue.” — even though blue would have looked much better.
The font weight is very thin some parts are. Not sure if it was the designer’s mistake or if the designer just didn’t like Ted.
(note: make sure your designers like you)
Reminds me of: Waterdrop. Falling. A burning flag.
