Kik Messenger Logo PNG
The Kik Messenger logo conveys the sound of pressing the keys of a phone or computer when writing a message—submitted and waiting for a response. The emblem demonstrates the establishment of connections between people and the growth and strengthening of relationships.
Kik Messenger: Brand overview
Meaning and History
Kik Interactive Corporation was founded by a group of young guys from the University of Waterloo. They wanted to create a smartphone messenger similar to the Chinese WeChat. They succeeded: in 2010, the world saw a new messaging application. Even then, its technical potential provided for the ability to use internal web applications freely.
Investors doubted the project’s success for a long time, so Ted Livingston convinced them of the opposite for about six months. He was the author of the concept and previously worked at BlackBerry, so he was well-versed in the specifics of mobile programs.
At first, the messenger was called KIK Chat, but then it was renamed, so there was no obvious analogy with WeChat. Over time, the application gained a built-in browser, custom spam control, the ability to send videos and create emojis independently, and many other features.
What is Kik Messenger?
Kik Messenger is a Canadian instant messaging app with free distribution. It is designed for mobile devices and runs on two systems – iOS and Android. The program allows you to anonymously send and receive text, video, photos, for which it uses a Wi-Fi network or a smartphone tariff plan. The debut launch of the utility took place in 2010.
2010 – 2017
The interface design improves after each update. The only thing that remains static is the logo, which contains green “Kik” lettering with a blue dot at the end. Even after the MediaLab holding bought the messenger, it did not change and experimented with it. We can say that the new owner saved the application from closing because Ted Livingston would eliminate the troubled startup that led to the proceedings with the SEC. The lawsuit is related to the sale of cryptocurrency in 2017.
2017 – today
After the application was sold, the new owner made all the color changes to the visual identity. Green became the main color of the brand lettering and the dot at the end.
All versions of Kik are designed for different operating systems (Amazon, Windows Phone, Android, iOS) and share a common, recognizable logo. This is a wordmark with nothing extra: the inscription focuses on the program’s name, and the dot at the end makes the design clear and concise. The Kik Messenger badge aligns with minimalism, which has become fashionable recently. It has no additional graphic elements – just a short word and a dot on the background of a white square with rounded corners. But even that was enough to make the app recognizable. Now, the logo is associated with the main functions of an online chat, such as registration, in which you do not need to provide a phone number. Realizing its importance in the identity system, MediaLab did not change the design because it wanted to preserve the good graces of old users and emphasize the platform’s stability.
Kik Messenger: Interesting Facts
Kik Messenger, often just called Kik, is a free messaging app created by Canadian company Kik Interactive and launched in October 2010. It’s known for letting users chat anonymously and has become especially popular with younger people.
- Start and Growth: A group of University of Waterloo students founded Kik in 2009 and launched in 2010. It quickly became popular, hitting 1 million users in just 15 days.
- Anonymity: Kik users can sign up with only an email; no phone number is needed. This privacy feature sets it apart from many messaging apps that require a phone number.
- Kik Codes: Kik introduced Kik Codes, making adding friends and joining groups easy by scanning a QR code.
- Built-In Browser: Kik is one of the first messaging apps with a built-in browser. It lets users surf the web and share content without leaving their chat.
- Bot Shop: In 2016, Kik opened a Bot Shop for chatbots, putting it at the forefront of AI and bot technology use in messaging apps.
- Cryptocurrency Venture: In 2017, Kik started its cryptocurrency, Kin, aiming to build an ecosystem where users could earn and spend Kin within Kik and partner apps.
- Privacy and Safety Issues: Kik has faced criticism over privacy and the safety of minors due to its anonymity features. The company has worked to improve safety with better moderation and features.
- Ownership Change: In 2019, Kik Interactive planned to shut down the app to focus on Kin but later sold it to MediaLab, which kept Kik running.
- Open Source: In 2021, Kik made its client software open source, which is unusual for a messaging service. This helped with development and improved transparency around privacy and security.
- Popularity with Youth: Kik remains popular among teens and young adults thanks to its features that support anonymity, social interaction, and media sharing.
From its beginnings at a university to becoming a mainstay in messaging, Kik’s story reflects the fast-paced and evolving tech industry, highlighting digital communication and social media trends.
Font and Colors
The most important thing about the Kik Messenger wordmark is the font, which predetermined the appearance of the lettering. It is similar to RM Playtime, although it differs in small details. The first thing that catches your eye is the different arrangement of the strokes in the letter “k.” In addition, the logo uses a lowercase “i” without a dot. The second similar font is Chevin ExtraBold. He also has several differences; first, he changed angles and proportions. The inscription’s main color remained Atlantis green (# 61CB2B). It is also used for a small circle at the end.
FAQ
What happened to Kik Messenger?
The brand became popular for its privacy features and easy setup that doesn’t require a phone number. Despite its early success, the app has faced challenges, including competition from larger social networks and security concerns. It announced it would shut down its messaging app to focus on its cryptocurrency, Kin.
The focus on Kin, introduced in 2017 through an initial coin offering, marks a significant shift for the brand. Cryptocurrency is central to the brand’s plans to create an ecosystem of digital communications and commerce. This focus has led to legal problems. The success of this strategy will depend on how well the brand can overcome these challenges and position itself in the competitive cryptocurrency market.
Do people still use Kik Messenger?
Yes, it is still used by many people and remains popular, especially among young users. It is part of a growing global trend in messaging app usage, with about 3.5 billion people expected to use messaging apps by 2025, and Kik will have a solid market share.
Kik allows users to register without a phone number, ensuring privacy, which appeals to its users. Today, it has more than 300 million registered users. Despite issues with user security and harmful content that have impacted its reputation, the brand remains a preferred option for those seeking an alternative to larger apps such as WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger.
What do the symbols mean on Kik Messenger?
Kik Messenger uses multiple symbols and letters to let users know the status of their messages:
- S (Sent): Your message has been sent from your device.
- D (Delivered): Displayed when the message has reached the recipient’s device but has not yet been read.
- R (Read): Shows when the recipient has opened and read your message.
- ASL: This is not about the status of the message but a question. When someone sends “ASL,” they want to know your age, sex, and location.
There are punctuation marks as well:
- The exclamation point (!): This means there was an error when sending your message.
- Ellipsis (…): Appears when another person is typing a response.
What is the font of the Kik Messenger logo?
The logo is in Chevin ExtraBold font, slightly modified to match the brand’s look and feel. It is similar to the RM Playtime font, known for its sleek and rounded style. This gives the logo a friendly and welcoming appearance that fits well with the brand’s goal of being approachable and easy to use for messaging.
What does the Kik Messenger logo mean?
The logo reflects the brand’s modern and user-friendly messaging service. It features the brand name in a simple and bold style, consisting of three rounded letters: “k” and “i” written in lowercase. The entire logo uses green tones, which are associated with growth and vitality, aligning with the youthful energy of the brand. The brightness of the letters emphasizes the reliability of the service. A large dot at the end of the logo adds a playful element and suggests a conversation starter, similar to punctuation in writing. It is designed to attract the attention of a young audience and stand out in the competitive landscape of instant messaging applications.
