The musical style and stage image features are reflected in the Nirvana logo, an Aberdeen-based rock band founded in 1987. They are captured in the original smiling image that resides “under the wardrobe” – a state well known to both performers and fans.
Nirvana: Brand overview
Founded: | 1987–1994 |
Founder: | Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic |
Headquarters: | Aberdeen, Washington, U.S. |
Website: | nirvana.com |
Meaning and History
The band’s logo is a funny smiling face, hence the name “Smiley.” It appeared in 1991 and was first depicted on a flyer invitation to a party celebrating the release of the Nevermind album. That same year, the logo became a print on rocker T-shirts. It was combined with the band’s name and turned into an individual symbol – solely because the musicians never had other logos.
What is Nirvana?
Nirvana is the best-selling American rock band that existed from 1987 to 1994. It was formed in Aberdeen, Washington, by bassist Krist Novoselic and guitarist Kurt Cobain, who became the band’s frontman. The primary musical genres of the legendary group are rock and grunge.
Nirvana: Interesting Facts
- How They Started: Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic made the band in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1987. They had a few different names before picking Nirvana because Cobain liked how it sounded nice and not mean or rough.
- Big Album: Their second album, “Nevermind,” came out in 1991 and made them super famous, thanks to the song “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” This album helped change music by making alternative rock more popular and moving away from the big hair metal bands of that time.
- Famous Album Cover: “Nevermind” has a cover with a baby swimming towards a dollar, and it’s become well-known. The baby, Spencer Elden, was just a few months old when it was taken.
- What Influenced Cobain: Cobain’s songwriting mixed many different music he liked, from punk rock and classic rock to pop music. This mix made Nirvana’s music stand out.
- Acoustic Show: In 1993, Nirvana performed on MTV’s “Unplugged” with acoustic guitars, which showcased Cobain’s songwriting and the depth of their songs. They also played covers and lesser-known songs.
- Standing Up for What’s Right: Cobain didn’t like sexism or homophobia. He talked about women’s rights and was pro-choice. He used his fame to discuss important issues.
- Cobain’s Art: Cobain wasn’t just about music; he also made much of the artwork for Nirvana’s albums and posters.
- Rock Hall of Fame: Nirvana got into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014, showing they hugely affected music.
- Music After Cobain: Even after Cobain passed away in 1994, more Nirvana music came out, like “MTV Unplugged in New York,” bringing their songs to new fans.
- Their Legacy: Nirvana, especially through Cobain, spoke to many young people in the early ’90s. They’re remembered for changing music and for the messages they shared.
Nirvana’s time in music was short, but they shook things up, inspiring many musicians and leaving a big mark on rock music.
Font and Colors
The Nirvana trademark consists of two parts: the smiley face stretched into a slanting smile and the word. The “face” is easily recognizable by the friendly look of the crossed-out eyes, long mouth, and protruding tongue. The lines of the head and lips are slightly curved, making it seem that the little guy is a bit out of it or in high spirits.
Above the face, the rocker’s name is depicted. Unlike the graphic part, the text area is characterized by rigidity, straight lines, and right angles, except for the letter “R,” written in a round font. In addition, all letters have thickened legs or sides, which, combined with the thin lines, form an original contrast.
Why the band chose such an emblem is not precisely known, but there are several hypotheses. It is believed to be the pleasant expression on the fans’ faces during grunge rock. A more pragmatic explanation is that it’s the logo of the Lusty Lady strip club, once very popular and located just a hundred kilometers from the musicians’ city – in Seattle.
Another assumption is related to a member of the band Guns N’ Roses. Allegedly, the “drunken” smile is a “portrait” of a smiling Axl Rose. Some lean towards the idea that the Nirvana team logo was created based on The Acid House. The next version is the most practical: it’s just the face of a person who has drunk a lot or is under the influence of drugs. But others believe that such a picture was drawn under the bridge where Kurt Cobain slept.
The word Nirvana is written in Onyx font. These are elongated letters with serifs and wide lines. Lisa Orth decided to combine the smile with them. She even bought this font from Grant Alden, who released the debut album. The logo color is simple, two-component, but striking. The palette includes only black and acid-yellow. Combined, they create an incredibly bright contrast.
Nirvana color codes
Black | Hex color: | #000000 |
---|---|---|
RGB: | 0 0 0 | |
CMYK: | 0 0 0 100 | |
Pantone: | PMS Process Black C |