Ensuring the recognition of Under Armour sports products, the company’s logo became a reflection of the stylized treatment of the monogram. Being the result of a mistake, the name was liked by all. The bright and noticeable emblem brought success.
Under Armour: Brand overview
Founded: | 1996 |
Founder: | Kevin Plank |
Headquarters: | Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
Website: | underarmour.com |
Meaning and History
The phrase “Under Armor” was originally embossed on the emblem. It appeared entirely by chance. Kevin Plank wanted to name his brand “Body Armor,” which he mentioned to his brother Bill. However, Bill misunderstood and thought it was Under Armor. They both liked this version, and they decided to keep it. The only change was the spelling: the abbreviated American suffix -or was replaced with the British -our in the second word. This was because the chosen name had a toll-free number available.
The company owes its success to the bright and noticeable logo. In 1996, Jeff George, a defender for the Oakland Raiders, appeared on the front page of USA Today in a trademark turtleneck with the Under Armour logo. The emblem was immediately noticed. After that, football equipment produced by Kevin Plank began to be actively ordered. Of course, the aesthetic component also has significance, but the trademark is a certain design feature.
The design of the logo has changed several times.
What is Under Armor?
Under Armour is an American company. It is known worldwide for its main products: sports clothing and equipment. Since 2006, footwear has been released under this brand.
1996 – 1997
In 1996, the lines in the logo became smoother and more elongated.
1997 – 1998
In 1997, the length of the lines was reduced as the logo was placed inside an ellipse.
1998 – 1999
In 1998, the central parts of the semicircles became narrow, and the edges noticeably thickened.
1999 – 2005
In 1999, the brand symbol remained without the borders that previously surrounded it. Under the symbol appeared the inscription “UNDER ARMOR,” and below it, a second inscription, “Performance Apparel.”
2005 – today
In 2005, the inscription “Performance Apparel” was removed. The trademark has remained in this form to this day.
Under Armour: Interesting Facts
Under Armour, which started in 1996, has quickly become a big name in sports clothes and gear thanks to its cool and helpful products.
- Starting Small: Kevin Plank, who used to play football at the University of Maryland, began Under Armour in his grandma’s basement in Washington, D.C. He wanted to make a shirt to keep athletes dry and comfortable by pulling sweat away from the skin.
- A Game-Changing Shirt: They first made a microfiber shirt that could wick away moisture. It changed the game for sports clothes by helping athletes stay cool and dry.
- Quick Growth: Under Armour grew fast and became a public company in 2005. By then, it was making over $200 million, a huge jump from selling shirts from the trunk of a car.
- More Than Just Shirts: What started with t-shirts has grown into a big range of sports gear, including shoes, hats, pants, and even protective equipment, for serious athletes and everyday people who like to stay active.
- Worldwide Reach: Under Armour products are available worldwide. The company has grown big enough to compete with other major sports brands in Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
- Tech-Savvy: Under Armour has gotten into technology, too. They’ve made apps like UA Record and bought fitness app companies to help people track their fitness in cool ways.
- Big Names Wear It: They’ve signed deals with famous athletes like Stephen Curry and Michael Phelps, making Under Armour even more popular and trusted in sports.
- Focus on Innovation: They have a special place called the UA Lighthouse, where they develop new ideas for materials and gear, keeping Under Armour ahead in making high-tech sports clothes.
- Recognizable Logo: The Under Armour logo, which looks like two U’s making an H, stands for quality and new ideas in sports gear. Their ads often talk about hard work and never giving up, which inspires athletes everywhere.
From its humble beginnings to becoming a leader in sports gear, Under Armour’s story is all about innovation, smart marketing, and making products that help athletes do their best.
Font and Colors
The brand’s graphic symbol consists of two semicircles. They are mirror-reflected and intersect at two points. The first figure points upward and denotes the letter “U.” The second looks down and shows the letter “A.” Both elements form a unique monogram, somewhat reminiscent of the inverted Chanel logo.
The font, specially designed for the company, has been used since 1997. The inscription “Under Armor” was made with this font. The inscription is located under the original brand symbol. All letters in the words are uppercase, strict, sans-serif. The typography combines both sharp angles and smoothed edges. This hints that the clothing can look aggressive, but it is comfortable to wear. The horizontal strokes of “D,” “E,” “R,” and “A” are short: on the left side, they do not reach the vertical lines.
Under Armour color codes
Black | Hex color: | #000000 |
---|---|---|
RGB: | 0 0 0 | |
CMYK: | 0 0 0 100 | |
Pantone: | PMS Process Black C |
FAQ
What is the meaning of the Under Armour logo?
The Under Armour logo represents a monogram of the letters “U” and “A.” Essentially, it represents the company itself and has no additional meaning.
Is the Under Armour logo copyrighted?
The Under Armour logo is copyrighted. The company even sued Tingfeilong Sporting Goods Co., Ltd. and won the case.
Why is Under Armour spelled with AU?
The word “Armor” in the company’s name is spelled in the British manner (with the letter “U”) because its creator decided the phone number 888-4ARMOR looked better than 888-44ARMOR. It was merely an attempt to obtain a nice toll-free number.
Has Under Armour changed its logo?
The Under Armour company changed its logo several times until it acquired its modern look in 2005.