OBI is a European retailer of home-improvement goods, which was established in 1970 in Germany and today operates in more than ten countries through almost 700 stores. The yearly revenue of the company is almost 8 billion EUR.
Meaning and history
The OBI logo is a reflection of the company’s values of its roots and heritage, as once designed in 1970, it has never been redrawn. Specializing in various decoration and home-improvements materials and accessories, the company uses the logo, which has its own recognizable architecture, and at the same time evokes a sense of warmth and coziness.
The OBI logo is composed of massive and solid lettering in calm orange color with a thin yet visible black outline. The orange and black color palette look professional and powerful when placed on a light background, evoking a sense of quality, energy, and confidence.
The lettering itself is executed in a bold custom serif typeface with extra thick lines and geometric serifs, which feature straight cuts and right angles. The top and bottom parts of the letter “O” are flattened, which makes it look more square, and adds more architecture and brutality to the logo overall.
From the first sight, there is nothing interesting about the OBI logo, but when you look closer and notice the solidness and masculine shapes of the letters, you start seeing what the company tried to reflect with it: your home will be safe and comfortable. This minimalist yet bright logotype is a perfect reflection of the company’s values, and the main value is a customer.