Graphic Logo Desgin Research

The logo that I choose is (seen above) The Nirvana Band logo. I decided to choose this logo for a variety of reasons that range from visual appearance, recognizability and success.

The band itself consisted of Kurt Cobain, Krist Noveselic and Dave Grohl and is one of the most famous rock bands in the late 1980’s and 90’s; the band established itself as the most important alternative rock band of their time, selling more than 75 million records worldwide, with its most popular song, “It Smells Like Teen Spirit.”

There are many different speculations and thoughts behind why and how it was created and its origins. First, lets break it down into even more simpler form and all its elements; The shape itself consists of a smiling face, that is coloured yellow, to represent joy and energy,while the black colour stands for supremacy and power and the word Nirvana itself is written in Onyx type face.

There are a few different theories on the origins and meaning of the iconic Nirvana “Smiley Face” logo with it’s crossed-out eyes and it’s drooling mouth. The following are the most current and popular beliefs of its design. Most people believe that Kurt Cobain, while under the influence of drugs, drew it of Axel Rose, from the band “Guns & Roses” (below(1)), and that he liked how it looked and kept it. However, most people believe that, yes it was drawn by Cobain as result of him getting high and drawing it on an apartment wall he lived in, but was not of Axel Rose, as their feud didn’t begin until 1992, and the ionic logo made its first appearance on this flyer in 1991. Around this time, it was also used for the front of some of their t-shirts (below (2)). The third theory is that is was influenced by the Marquee emblem of a club based in downtown Seattle, called “Lusty Lady” (Sign close-up seen below(3)). The last theory is that it used the inspiration of the “Acid House”; no one really knows what this place was, but it rumored that Cobain apparently would visit this place occasionally and used it as inspiration for the logo (below(4)). Or, is it just as simple as the logo being either a drunk person, a person on drugs. You decide what theory you believe is right…

1. The idea that it was drawn of Axel Rose as Cobain’s own interpretation of him.

2. First appearance of the iconic logo on the “Never mind” poster in 1991.

3. A close-up of the “Have An Erotic Day!” happy face logo, that was seen and inspired by the Marquee of the Club’s front sign. 

4. “The Acid House” logo seen as the inspiration for the Nirvana logo. 

I find this piece very successful and interesting in many of ways, ranging from its looks to its ability to be recognized everywhere. Firstly, the actual idea of the smiley face to me is very interesting in many ways; one way being the actual fact that it was once a simple smiley face. This, in my mind, is very unique as how someone took something already special and recognizable as the smiley face and altered it every so slightly and made it into something completely unique and special to itself. Secondly, its meaning, as listed above. I find it unique how different people all have their own thoughts and beliefs at how it came about. I find this very interesting as, just like alot of other ideas, beliefs, practices and opinions all have different views on them, and different people believe entirely different things depending on themselves as an entity.