RELX Logo PNG
A researcher seeks new materials, a lawyer reviews case law, and an analyst gathers data for a report; in all cases, quick access to verified information is essential. The RELX logo is associated with this task, indicating the ability to structure a large flow of information and bring order to complex datasets. For professionals across various fields, the logo serves as a trusted resource when the accuracy of information directly impacts the outcome of their work.
RELX: Brand overview
The history of RELX begins in 1880 in London. Lawyer Reynald Elsevier founded the publishing house of the same name, focused on legal literature. The name is associated with the Dutch publishing dynasty, the Elzeviers. By the beginning of the 20th century, the company had secured a strong position in the British market for professional publications.
In 1901, Elsevier began cooperation with Oxford and the University of London. In 1923, the publishing house signed an agreement with the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences. A year later, an office was opened in Amsterdam. By the end of the 1960s, Elsevier was publishing more than three hundred scientific journals and had reached an international level.
In 1973, the company introduced the EMBASE database. It was one of the first electronic systems for scientific abstracts. In 1981, Elsevier acquired Pergamon Press, significantly expanding its journal catalog. In 1991, the TULIP online platform was launched, becoming a prototype for future digital solutions.
In 1995, Elsevier merged with the British company Reed International. The corporation Reed Elsevier was formed. In 1996, the ScienceDirect platform was launched. In 1997, the acquisition of LexisNexis strengthened the group’s position in legal and analytical information.
Since the early 2000s, the company has focused on digital technologies. The Scopus database was created, and the company Harcourt General was acquired. In 2014, the organization rebranded as RELX Group.
In 2017, RELX entered the cybersecurity market and acquired ThreatMetrix. After that, it began developing artificial intelligence solutions. By 2024, it owned a portfolio of more than 2,500 scientific journals.
The company served eighteen million users and remained one of the largest global providers of scientific information.
Meaning and History
What is RELX?
An international information and analytics holding company from the United Kingdom headquartered in London. It operates across four sectors: risk assessment, scientific and medical publishing, legal analytics, and event organization. In risk management, LexisNexis Risk Solutions and ICIS process data related to cybersecurity and insurance. The scientific segment includes the publisher Elsevier and the platforms ScienceDirect, Scopus, and ClinicalKey. LexisNexis represents the legal segment, and the exhibition business is handled by RX, one of the largest professional event operators.
1993 – 2004
The visual identity of the new Reed Elsevier brand, formed following the merger of the British publishing house Reed International and the Dutch company Elsevier, was embodied in a logo that combined the traditions of both companies.
A stylized combination of the letters R and E, symbolizing the first letters of the company’s name, serves as the brand’s central symbol. The logo’s contours are smooth, and its line thickness is uneven, lending the design a sense of liveliness and softness. The letter R is highlighted in orange, while the letter E is rendered in a shade of gray. The color combination emphasizes the equality and complementarity of the two publishing houses.
Below the symbol is the full company name, “REED ELSEVIER.” It is set in uppercase, gray, serif letters, similar to Garamond or Caslon. The subdued gray color of the text adds a formal, authoritative tone.
Below the name, separated by a dotted line, is the slogan “a world-leading provider of information-driven services and solutions.” The slogan is written in vibrant orange italics, slanted to the right, emphasizing the company’s dynamism and focus on information technology and services.
2004 – 2015
The new version of the Reed Elsevier logo took a step toward minimalism, emphasizing simplicity. The company eliminated complex details to create a clear and memorable symbol.
On the left, a single-line orange symbol remained, resembling a combination of the handwritten letters “R” and “E.” The symbol’s color was limited to a single warm orange shade.
The name Reed Elsevier is positioned on the right and written in a sans-serif font. The first letters of each word, “R” and “E,” are capitalized, while the remaining characters are lowercase. The font resembles Neo Sans or Myriad Pro. Dark gray is used for the text, creating a stark and understated contrast with the orange symbol.
The updated logo conveys the company’s style in a businesslike, soft, and lively manner. Reed Elsevier has prioritized simplicity, avoiding excessive detail.
2015 – today
February 2015 marked a turning point for Reed Elsevier. The company rebranded, changing its name to RELX Group plc and updating its stock ticker to RELX. The visual identity also transformed, maintaining a connection to the previous phase of development while becoming more compact and concise.
The new RELX logo is based on the previous symbol, which had become the company’s hallmark. The symbol consists of smooth, soft lines forming an interlacing pattern reminiscent of the handwritten letters “R” and “E.” It remains orange, though the color has become calmer, softer, and less vibrant than before.
To the right of the symbol is the company’s new name, “RELX,” rendered in large, dark gray uppercase letters. The font is clean and sans-serif, visually similar to the classic Helvetica Neue Bold or DIN Condensed.
RELX developed its brand identity and rebranding strategy in collaboration with the international agency Interbrand. As a result, the updated logo reflects the current phase of RELX Group’s operations, which offers a wide range of world-class information and analytical services.
