Publishing is a branch of culture and production related to the preparation, production, and distribution of books, magazines, newspapers, visual materials, and other types of printed products. The level, scope, and direction of Publishing House are determined by the material, socio-political, and cultural conditions of the society, and the books produced by these companies affect the education and culture of the society.
In this article, we decided to take a closer look at the logos of the largest American brands related to the publishing business, sale, and distribution of books. Here you will find both publishing houses and universities producing their literature. Thanks to the selection that you will find below, you will be able to note for yourself which elements in the logos of these brands work most effectively and arouse confidence in potential customers, because this branch of business is very important to society, and reputation is not the least important here, and visual identity can perfectly reflect all those qualities that are decisive. This logo you will find on the books, the books you will find on the shelves, and the knowledge, got from the books you will keep with you for your entire life.
Book Depository
The visual identity of one of the world’s most popular online destinations for getting books, Book Depository, is pretty simple, but this is what makes the platform look trustworthy and reliable. The badge is composed of a modest emblem depicting a closed book with a solid light-blue cover, and a gray two-leveled inscription in a bold geometric sans-serif typeface. The modern “mood” of the lettering with the straight cuts of the full-shaped title case characters balances the simplicity and even naiveness of the emblem, making up a perfect combo.
Cornell University
The Cornell University logo is based on the institution’s legacy and heritage. The badge is composed of a traditional seal emblem and a delicate title case lettering written in one line. The inscription is set in an elegant serif typeface with full-shaped characters, which is supported by the style of the uppercase lettering, set around the seal’s perimeter. As for the University’s seal, inside its circular frame, it has an image of a traditional shield, embedded with two smaller shields on top, and a stylized image of an open book in the central part.
Litsy
The visual identity of the Litsy platform is bright, yet quite laconic, although perfectly depicts the field of the business segment the brand operates in. The emblem of Litsy is a stack of three books, with the covers in three colors — yellow on top, red in the middle, and blue at the bottom. The color palette of the emblem stands for the wide range of books in different genres available on the platform. The graphical part of the logo is underlined by bold black lettering, executed in a rounded sans-serif typeface and representing the friendliness and accessibility of the platform.
Rooks Bookkeeping
The Rooks Bookkeeping logo looks very dramatic due to the use of a strong color palette and the strict geometry of the emblem. The badge is set in a solid black and light coral color palette, which looks very eye-catching and confident on a plain white background. The emblem of the brand depicts a vertically oriented closed book in a coral covered with a black shade falling to the right. The upper border of the shadow is stylized as a wall of an ancient castle — with three square elements. As for the lettering part, it is enlarged and written in the lowercase of a traditional geometric sans-serif typeface with straight cuts of the bars. The black wordmark is placed on the right of the emblem, balancing the darkness of the book’s shadow.
University of San Carlos
The bright and vivid color palette of the University of San Carlos‘s visual identity balances the traditional approach to its design and turns the classy heraldic symbol from the university’s emblem into something cool and fresh. The seal of the institution is composed of green, blue, and red segments, with white images in each of them. The puffy elegant crest is enclosed into a green wreath frame with the leaves getting smaller to the top of the composition. The right part of the logo is taken by a sophisticated two-level inscription with the name of the university written in the uppercase of a classy serif font, with a lightweight motto underlining the badge.
Kabul University
The logo of Kabul University, is a symbol of academic excellence and cultural heritage. The emblem features a traditional lamp of knowledge at the center, symbolizing enlightenment and education, placed atop an open book which signifies the spread of knowledge. Surrounding the central imagery is a circular frame inscribed with the university’s name in both Latin and Persian scripts, emphasizing its rich cultural integration. The top of the logo showcases a smaller, intricately detailed emblem, adding to the prestige and historical depth of the institution. The overall design is executed in a monochromatic blue palette, conveying a sense of trust, loyalty, and intellectual rigor, resonating with the university’s mission to foster learning and research.
Boston College
The logo of Boston College is a distinguished representation of the institution’s rich academic tradition. The emblem features a shield divided into four quadrants, each symbolizing different aspects of the college’s heritage and values. The upper sections contain a sunburst and three crowns, representing enlightenment and the college’s Jesuit affiliation. The lower sections display an open book with a Latin motto, emphasizing the commitment to education and learning. Encircling the shield is a ring with the Latin name of the college and its founding date, 1863. The logo’s color scheme of maroon, gold, and black conveys a sense of prestige, tradition, and academic excellence, encapsulating the spirit of Boston College.
University of Chicago
The logo of the University of Chicago is a powerful symbol of the institution’s intellectual heritage and commitment to rigorous scholarship. The emblem features a maroon shield with a white phoenix rising from flames, representing renewal and the enduring pursuit of knowledge. The shield also includes a Latin motto, “Crescat scientia; vita excolatur,” which means “Let knowledge grow from more to more; and so be human life enriched.” The logo’s design is completed with the university’s name written in a bold, serif typeface, reinforcing its strong academic reputation and historical significance. The maroon and white color palette conveys a sense of tradition, excellence, and scholarly distinction.
The University of Texas
The logo of The University of Texas at Austin is a classic representation of the institution’s prestigious standing and dedication to excellence. The emblem features a shield with an open book at the top, symbolizing knowledge and learning, and a lone star beneath, representing the state of Texas. Surrounding the shield is a laurel wreath, signifying achievement and honor. The university’s name is prominently displayed below the shield in a bold, serif typeface, with the word “TEXAS” in a larger font, emphasizing the institution’s pride and identity. The use of burnt orange and white in the logo highlights the university’s unique colors and reinforces its strong sense of tradition and academic excellence.
Brown University
The logo of Brown University is a sophisticated emblem that captures the institution’s long-standing commitment to education and innovation. The shield is divided into four quadrants, each containing a book, symbolizing learning and knowledge. At the top of the shield, a sun rises behind a cloud, representing enlightenment and new beginnings. The shield is topped with a crest featuring a laurel wreath and the university’s founding year, 1764, emphasizing its rich history. The color scheme of red, black, and white conveys a sense of prestige, tradition, and scholarly integrity. The university’s name is written in a classic serif typeface, reinforcing its reputation for academic excellence.
Villanova University
The logo of Villanova University is an elegant representation of the institution’s Augustinian values and academic excellence. The emblem features a shield with a cross and a heart at the center, symbolizing the core principles of faith, love, and unity. Surrounding the shield is a laurel wreath, representing achievement and honor. Below the shield, the university’s name is written in a sophisticated serif typeface, with “VILLANOVA” in larger letters to emphasize its prominence. The color scheme of blue and white conveys a sense of trust, loyalty, and academic distinction, encapsulating the spirit and mission of Villanova University.
Johns Hopkins University
The logo of Johns Hopkins University is a distinguished symbol of the institution’s dedication to research and education. The emblem features a shield divided into three sections: the upper left with a globe, representing global reach and influence; the upper right with a book, symbolizing knowledge and learning; and the lower section with the Maryland state flag, highlighting the university’s location. The shield is topped with a crest depicting an open book and the university’s motto, “Veritas vos liberabit,” meaning “The truth will set you free.” The logo’s blue and white color scheme conveys trust, integrity, and academic excellence, reflecting the university’s prestigious reputation.
University of Notre Dame
The logo of the University of Notre Dame is a powerful representation of the institution’s Catholic heritage and commitment to excellence. The emblem features a shield with a cross and a star at the top, symbolizing faith and guidance, and a wave pattern at the bottom, representing the nearby St. Joseph River. The shield includes a Latin motto, “Vita, Dulcedo, Spes,” which means “Life, Sweetness, Hope.” Encircling the shield is the university’s name in a bold, serif typeface, reinforcing its identity and tradition. The navy and gold color scheme conveys a sense of prestige, honor, and academic distinction, encapsulating the spirit of Notre Dame.
Northwestern University
The logo of Northwestern University is a refined emblem that captures the essence of academic rigor and tradition. At the center of the emblem is an open book, a symbol of knowledge and learning, surrounded by rays that represent the spread of enlightenment. The book is inscribed with Greek text, highlighting the university’s classical roots. Encircling the book is a circular frame with the Latin phrase “Quaecumque sunt vera,” meaning “Whatsoever things are true,” and the founding year, 1851. The use of a purple color palette conveys a sense of prestige, creativity, and academic excellence, while the serif typeface of the university’s name reinforces its esteemed reputation.
Harvard University
The logo of Harvard University is an iconic representation of the institution’s profound legacy and academic authority. The emblem features a crimson shield with three open books, each inscribed with a letter to spell “VERITAS,” which means “truth” in Latin, reflecting the university’s dedication to truth and knowledge. The shield is adorned with a laurel wreath, symbolizing victory and achievement, and is complemented by a banner that bears the university’s name. The color scheme of crimson and white is both bold and traditional, conveying a sense of prestige, excellence, and historical significance that is synonymous with Harvard University.
Princeton University
The logo of Princeton University is a distinguished emblem that encapsulates the institution’s commitment to academic excellence and tradition. The emblem features a black and orange shield, divided by a chevron, symbolizing protection and continuity. At the top of the shield is an open book with the Latin words “Vet Nov Testamentum,” representing the Old and New Testaments, emphasizing the university’s historical and intellectual foundations. The use of orange and black, Princeton’s official colors, conveys a sense of vibrancy, energy, and tradition. The university’s name, written in a classic serif typeface, reinforces its esteemed status and scholarly distinction.
Library of Congress
The logo of the Library of Congress is a modern and symbolic representation of the institution’s role as a repository of knowledge. The emblem features a stylized open book with wave-like pages, symbolizing the flow of information and the vastness of the library’s collection. The use of blue in the logo conveys a sense of trust, stability, and intellectual depth. The name “Library of Congress” is written in a refined serif typeface, highlighting the institution’s historical significance and commitment to preserving and providing access to knowledge. This logo effectively captures the essence of the Library of Congress as a cornerstone of research and learning.
HarperKids
The logo of HarperKids is a vibrant and playful representation of the brand’s commitment to children’s literature and education. The emblem features four colorful book spines, each in a different bright color (red, green, pink, and blue), spelling out the word “KIDS” in a bold, white typeface. Above the books, the word “HARPER” is displayed in a clean, modern font, emphasizing the brand’s identity. The use of bright colors and playful design elements conveys a sense of fun, creativity, and approachability, making it appealing to children and parents alike. This logo effectively captures the essence of HarperKids as a brand dedicated to inspiring young readers.
Scholastic
The logo of Scholastic is a simple yet powerful emblem that represents the brand’s dedication to education and literacy. The logo features an open book icon to the left of the brand name, symbolizing knowledge and learning. The word “SCHOLASTIC” is written in a bold, uppercase serif typeface, emphasizing the brand’s authority and commitment to quality education. The use of a bright red background and white lettering creates a striking contrast, making the logo easily recognizable and memorable. This design effectively captures the essence of Scholastic as a leading publisher and advocate for children’s books and educational materials.
Chronicle Books
The logo of Chronicle Books is a sleek and modern representation of the brand’s dedication to innovative publishing. The emblem features a stylized stack of books forming the letter “C,” symbolizing creativity and the wealth of knowledge contained within books. The brand name “CHRONICLE BOOKS” is written in a bold, sans-serif typeface, conveying a sense of modernity and forward-thinking. The use of black and white in the logo adds a touch of sophistication and timelessness, making it easily recognizable and versatile. This logo effectively captures the spirit of Chronicle Books as a publisher committed to unique and creative content.
Conclusion
As you have probably noticed, most of the logos from our Book Logos list, are based on classical inscriptions, written against a transparent background. Some of them have graphical components, which include different depictions of books — in traditional and heraldic styles, as well as modern and colorful images. Yet what distinguishes these logos from others is the feeling of excellence and expertise. Once you take a look at one of these insignias, you start trusting and believing the source of information, and this is what matters most in this business.
