Chicago Sun Times Logo
The Chicago Times logo reflects the publication’s history, which has seen changes and mergers while preserving the spirit of journalism. The newspaper has accompanied the city’s life, documenting key events, political upheavals, and epochs of growth, remaining the voice of its time through its reports and columns.
Chicago Sun Times: Brand overview
James W. Sheahan, Daniel Cameron, and William Storey founded the Chicago Times in 1854, launching a newspaper that quickly became influential. During the American Civil War, it developed a reputation for its democratic views and strong criticism of President Abraham Lincoln’s policies. When William Storey took sole control, this opposition grew even stronger, leading General Ambrose Burnside to suspend its publication briefly—though Lincoln reversed that decision soon afterward. Over time, the paper gained fame across the Midwest and became known for bold, dramatic journalism. After Storey passed away, his son briefly ran the newspaper before selling it to a group led by Chicago Mayor Carter Harrison Sr., maintaining its democratic roots. Eventually, the Chicago Times merged with the Chicago Herald, becoming the Times-Herald, reflecting broader changes in Chicago’s newspaper market. A few years later, another merger formed the Record-Herald, ending the Times as an independent newspaper. Throughout history, the paper significantly influenced public opinion, reflecting journalism’s rapid expansion and growing importance in American society.
Meaning and History
What is Chicago Sun Times?
It is one of the leading print publications in the Midwest, covering key events, politics, and urban life. The newspaper is known for detailed journalistic investigations, analytical materials, and relevant reports. Increased attention is paid to crime and corruption, making the publication an important source of information and a significant voice in shaping public opinion.
1952 – 1969
The Chicago Sun-Times was born after several newspaper mergers and consolidations. For example, in 1895, the old Chicago Times merged with the Herald, and later, in the 20th century, it underwent further transformations, officially becoming the Sun-Times by 1948. Its name and style reflected this rich history of changes: calm, confident, and clear separation of words and meaning.
The 1952 Chicago Sun-Times emblem was minimalist and text-only. It was simple and serious, typical for newspapers of that era. The name was split into two lines: on top, a small inscription “CHICAGO” was written in strict, clean capital letters. The letter spacing was fairly loose, as if emphasizing the regional scope of the newspaper.
The bottom row, “SUN-TIMES,” was massive and bold, indicating the publication’s solidity. The letters were solid, with pronounced thickening, especially at the serifs on the ends, characteristic of classic newspaper typography. The black color was an entirely natural choice—a classic for print media.
1970 – 1979
In the 1970s, the Chicago Sun-Times adopted a different logo, distinct from its stricter predecessors. The publication decided to add a touch of antiquity and uniqueness to its style. The letters appeared as if printed on an old press—ink seemed unevenly applied in some places, creating a rough, textured effect.
The name was divided into two parts: on top, “CHICAGO” was written in simple, even letters. It was neat and small, placed above the main newspaper title. The main part, “Sun-Times,” was larger and livelier. Here, the letters had interesting curves and decorative serifs, with thin lines contrasting with thickened elements reminiscent of early 20th-century book or magazine fonts.
The change in style was also connected to the era. The 1970s in the U.S. were a time of significant change when even traditional publications aimed to connect more with the people and refresh their format. The newspaper always focused on city life, urban news, social issues, and political events, so it made sense that its design became more dynamic, with nods to vintage typography.
The serifs on the letters were pointed and slightly elongated, adding a sense of movement to the logo, though it still looked traditional and balanced. The newspaper subtly signaled to readers that it remained true to its history and regional character but could also slightly adjust its tone and mood.
1980 – 1984
In the 1980s, the Sun-Times logo became simpler and even warmer. The “Chicago” inscription disappeared, leaving only the clean “Sun-Times” name. The font was heavy and bold, with letters sitting firmly in place, creating the impression of a serious publication without embellishments. The serifs were large, distinct, and slightly angular, yet softly rounded at the edges.
An interesting design choice was the color—dark brown. This departed from the usual black-and-white strictness of newspaper headlines and was more reminiscent of the shades of old paper and newspaper pages from past centuries.
1984 – 1987
In the mid-1980s, the publication returned to its full name. The word “Chicago” reappeared in the visual identity, reminding readers who the newspaper was intended for. The design was as simple and strict as possible, resembling classic newspaper headlines of that time.
The letters were bold, dense, and firmly aligned in a single row. The font featured strong serifs—neat, slightly angular details at the ends of the letters that gave the emblem a sense of solidity and composure. The letter lines were smooth, without any texture or visual effects.
The logo was black, with no color experiments, which was appropriate for a serious daily newspaper focused on political news, city life, and its residents.
1987 – 2003
The late 1980s logo sharply differed from previous versions: an unexpectedly bright color and a modern style appeared. Instead of strict black, a vibrant blue was used, with a black shadow behind the letters. The shadow created a three-dimensional effect, making the letters appear slightly raised, giving them a lively and energetic look.
The font became simple, sans-serif, looking completely different from before. The corners were rounded, making the entire name appear less formal, more friendly, and open. The newspaper was evolving at this time, striving to reach a broader audience—covering everything from serious political reports to light human-interest stories and sports.
The visual mark felt positive and bright, matching the publication’s style in those years—openness and a desire to be closer to the people.
2003 – 2007
In the early 2000s, an interesting change in design took place. The newspaper’s full name was again printed in large, solid letters with classic serifs. The font was strict and official, with an outline stroke, making the letters appear more three-dimensional and slightly raised.
The most interesting part of the logo was a small American flag symbol neatly placed on the “S” on the right side. The flag was colorful and vibrant, appearing dynamic as if waving in the wind. This was the first appearance of a color symbol in the newspaper’s name in a long time. Through this small element, the newspaper emphasized its status as an American publication and its connection to national affairs.
2007 – 2013
Starting in 2007, the newspaper introduced a completely different approach to its design. The name was split into two parts. The upper part, the word “CHICAGO,” was written in an elegant serif font in a calm gray color. The lower part, “SUN-TIMES,” was placed in a rectangle on a bright red background, with the letters turning white and more expressive.
The font was strict and classic, in line with the traditional press. The red background with white letters looked fresh and dynamic, making the name’s main part stand out sharply. The result was a balance: the city “CHICAGO” looked restrained, while the newspaper “SUN-TIMES” appeared emotional and contrasting.
The two-tone logo, combining the calmness of gray and the energy of red, reflected the newspaper’s character—a mix of serious journalism with a desire to be approachable and understandable to ordinary readers.
2013 – 2015
By 2013, the newspaper confidently transitioned to an online format, and its logo reflected these changes. The newspaper’s full name was written in capital letters, in white, on a bright red background. The font was classic and strict, with serifs. However, the main feature was the small addition of “.com” on the right, set in italics and slightly smaller. This indicated the newspaper was available online and could be read from home.
Next to “.com” was a small blue star, resembling one of the stars from the Chicago city flag. It appeared neat and subtle, serving as a reminder of the newspaper’s roots and strong connection to local news and events.
The red background became a key element, making the design bright and dynamic. This period was one of active experimentation for the newspaper: The Sun-Times became digital, fast-paced, and aimed to deliver news quickly while staying in sync with the city’s rhythm. The name took on a more modern look without losing the seriousness of a traditional publication.
2015 – 2018
The emblem took on a different look, standing out from previous versions. It appeared bolder, with a massive, sans-serif font featuring strict, even lines. The word “CHICAGO” was placed vertically on the left side, making it appear taller and thinner, complementing the main title—an interesting design choice.
One unique feature was the replacement of the standard hyphen with a yellow circle containing several black concentric rings inside. This symbol harmonized with the newspaper’s name, providing a clear visual reference. The yellow circle contrasts with the black letters, making the overall design lively and energetic.
Like the newspaper, the new logo was strict yet vibrant, urban, and dynamic.
2018 – today
The current version of the visual mark is simple and clear. The newspaper’s name is now written in bold, dense, sans-serif letters, making it look as confident and stable as possible. The letters are aligned evenly, with slight spacing, ensuring clarity and readability.
However, an interesting detail appeared between the words “SUN” and “TIMES.” Instead of a standard hyphen, there is a bright red eight-pointed star—a reference to the famous symbol of the Chicago city flag. This subtle yet meaningful element reinforces the newspaper’s connection to the city in a refined and understated way.
The logo has become modern and simple, yet at the same time stable and precise—just as a daily city newspaper with a long history should be.
chivcago times logo