Skype Logo PNG
The concise style of the free text, voice, and video communication software matches the style of its owner – vivid and memorable. The Skype logo reflects the essence of the brand and the services provided – virtual proximity of communication.
Skype: Brand overview
| Founded: | 2003 |
| Founder: | Skype Technologies |
| Headquarters: | Luxembourg |
| Website: | skype.com |
Meaning and History
To compete with traditional telecommunication networks, the Skype platform had to attract attention. For this, it needed a bright and memorable logo, which the developers took care of in the year the program was released.
What is Skype?
Skype is a telecommunication application designed for voice calls and instant messaging. Released in 2003, it is based on the VoIP protocol. It was developed by Swiss entrepreneur Niklas Zennström, Dane Janus Friis, and Estonians Toivo Annus, Jaan Tallinn, Priit Kasesalu, and Ahti Heinla. The software is now owned by a Microsoft subsidiary – Skype Technologies.
2003 – 2004
When the new service combining video chat and messenger appeared, it had an unusual emblem with the word “skype” in merged circles. The designers used dark red for the graphic part and white for the word. To arouse interest, they added a gradient to the palette.
2004 – 2005
In 2004, artists outlined the logo with a clear contour, shifted the gradient, and reduced the intensity of the red color, replacing it with a scarlet shade.
2005 – 2006
Another redesign led to a change in the palette. The background became light blue, and the inscription – blue.
2006 – 2012
In 2006, Skype got an emblem similar to the 2003-2004 version. The only difference was that instead of red, the designers used blue.
2012 – 2017
Microsoft, which bought Skype in 2011, ordered a change in the logo. A year later, a version without a gradient and a thin contour line was presented.
2017 – 2019
In 2017, the program received a new logo to better match Microsoft’s branding. It consisted of two elements: a round geometric shape with the letter “S” (left) and the inscription “Skype” (right).
2019 – today
The modern icon was introduced on August 16, 2019. It does not include the program’s name – only the letter “S” inside merged blue circles.
Skype: Interesting Facts
Skype is an app that lets people video chat and make voice calls on different devices. It’s changed the way people talk to each other all over the world.
- Who Made It? Skype was created in 2003 by Niklas Zennström from Sweden and Janus Friis from Denmark. They had help from Ahti Heinla, Priit Kasesalu, and Jaan Tallinn from Estonia.
- How It Works: At first, Skype used peer-to-peer technology to connect people, which means it worked well without needing expensive equipment.
- Sold to eBay: In 2005, eBay bought Skype for a lot of money because they wanted to use it on their auction website. But things didn’t work out as they hoped, and they sold most of it in 2009.
- Then Came Microsoft. In 2011, Microsoft bought Skype for even more money. They wanted to add Skype to their other products, such as Outlook and Xbox.
- Skype for Work: In 2015, Microsoft changed its business tool, Lync, to Skype for Business. This has helped more companies to use Skype with services like Office 365.
- Lots of Users: By 2013, Skype had 300 million people using it every month. It’s a big deal for work meetings, talking to family, and even job interviews.
- Cool Stuff You Can Do: Skype lets you make video calls, share files, chat instantly, and share your screen. You can also use it to call real phones cheaply if you buy some Skype Credit.
- Use It Anywhere: Skype is available on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and web browsers. This means pretty much anyone can use it on their device.
- Talking Across Languages: In 2014, Skype let people translate their calls in real-time. It started with English and Spanish, and now it has more languages.
- Changing Calls: Skype has helped change how we make phone calls. Instead of traditional phone services, we can now use the Internet to call people anywhere worldwide for less money.
Skype started small but became a big deal in calls and chats. It shows how new ideas in technology can help us stay connected, no matter where we are.
Font and Colors
Becoming the new owner of Skype, Microsoft tried to preserve the brand’s original image. However, it made several changes so that the new logo harmoniously looked against the backdrop of other Microsoft corporate symbols. It had to change the proportions and remove the inscription. At the same time, it kept the blue and white palette and the cloud shape.
In the old Skype emblems, the Arial Rounded MT Bold font was used. After the extensive redesign conducted under Microsoft’s guidance, the letters looked different. The developers focused on thin lines and got rid of the rounded ends.
Until 2005, the main color was red. Then, the program became associated only with shades of blue, diluted with light blue and white.
Skype color codes
| Spanish Sky Blue | Hex color: | #009edc |
|---|---|---|
| RGB: | 0 158 220 | |
| CMYK: | 100 28 0 14 | |
| Pantone: | PMS 801 C |