Xilam Animation Logo PNG
The Xilam Animation logo symbolizes the desire to paint the world with bright colors. After all, this is exactly what the animation studio does: it fills the world with colorful cartoons, making it more interesting, kinder, and happier so that children grow up in a positive atmosphere.
Xilam Animation: Brand overview
Xilam Animation has released many programs that have become popular worldwide. These include animated series such as Oggy and the Cockroaches, Space Goofs, and Shuriken School. In addition, the collection contains animated films for children and adults. Most of the content is produced in collaboration with French TV channels and TV networks.
The history of Xilam Animation began in 1999 when French director and producer Marc du Pontavice founded the company in Paris. Before establishing the studio, du Pontavice had extensive experience in the animation industry, contributing to shows like Space Goofs and The Adventures of Tintin.
The name “Xilam” was chosen because it’s a palindrome of “Mailx,” symbolizing the company’s commitment to creativity and an unconventional approach to animation.
Initially, the company focused on creating animated television shows. Even before Xilam was formally established, the television series Oggy and the Cockroaches, launched in 1998, was one of its first major projects. The show quickly became a global hit and laid the foundation for future success.
In 2002, the studio released its first feature-length animated film, Kaena: The Prophecy. This ambitious production was the first full-length French computer-animated movie. While the film received mixed reviews, it demonstrated the studio’s technological capabilities and innovative spirit.
In 2005, the company began developing the television series Zig & Sharko, which became another international success. This project highlighted the team’s ability to create content with universal appeal.
2006, the studio released the full-length animated film Go West: A Lucky Luke Adventure, based on the popular Lucky Luke comic book. The success of this project enhanced the studio’s reputation as a capable collaborator on well-known franchises.
In 2010, the company introduced The Daltons, a spin-off of Lucky Luke, which also enjoyed international success. This project showcased the studio’s ability to build on established brands and create new stories from them.
A significant milestone came in 2011 when the studio went public on the Euronext Paris stock exchange. This allowed the company to secure additional funding to expand production and launch new projects.
In 2013, the team debuted the television series Floopaloo, Where Are You? demonstrating their ability to create original content for younger audiences.
In 2015, the studio achieved further success with the release of Oggy and the Cockroaches in India, where the animated series quickly became one of the top-rated shows.
In 2016, the studio launched Paprika, a series aimed at preschoolers. This project highlighted the company’s versatility in creating animation for various age groups and genres.
In 2017, they introduced the television series Mr. Magoo, based on the beloved American cartoon. This project showcased the studio’s ability to revitalize classic brands for a modern audience.
In 2018, the company strengthened its 3D animation capabilities and expanded its production capacity by acquiring the animation company Cube Creative.
Atlantis (Moka), released in 2019, was a hit series that received praise from critics and viewers for its unique storyline and visual style.
In 2020, the studio expanded its online presence by partnering with major streaming platforms to distribute its content.
In 2021, the company launched Oggy Oggy, a preschool-targeted spin-off of the popular Oggy and the Cockroaches series.
Throughout its history, Xilam Animation has demonstrated its ability to produce content that resonates with a wide audience across various platforms while adapting to the evolving landscape of animation and entertainment. From its origins as a small French studio, it has grown into a globally recognized provider of animated content, maintaining its position as a prominent player in the international animation industry.
Meaning and History
Few know that Xilam was named after its founder, Marc du Pontavice, and Alix’s wife. The naming person reversed the word “Alix” to make it “Xila” and added an “M” at the end. Notably, film producer Marc is now the main shareholder of the animation studio, and he owns more than 36% of the shares. The remaining assets are divided among several large organizations.
The history of Xilam Animation is closely connected with Gaumont’s activities. As far as is known, the world’s oldest film group created the division Gaumont Multimedia in the mid-1990s and appointed Marc du Pontavice as its general manager. Inspired by the creative atmosphere, Marc started his own business and founded a separate studio to produce animated films in 1999.
This is how the Xilam company appeared—in fact, it is the successor to the traditions of Gaumont Multimedia. The designers played with her name in the logo, depicting a free-standing letter “X” in careless brush strokes. Subsequently, they changed the design a little: they made the lines neater and introduced a large red “X” into the gray word that used to be located at the bottom.
What is Xilam Animation?
It is a company that produces feature-length cartoons and animated series. It appeared in Paris in 1999. Its main goal is to create and distribute entertainment content in English and French.
1999
The Xilam logo, at first glance, appears simple, but it contains a wealth of symbolism and the spirit of the time it was created. The bright red “X”—as if painted with a single confident brushstroke—conveys a sense of energy and movement, reflecting the dynamism and originality of the animation projects produced by the company. This letter looks like it was drawn quickly, yet with clear confidence in every stroke, as if the creator knew exactly what they were doing. This feeling of spontaneity and creativity was characteristic of Xilam during its early days when the company was just beginning to carve out its niche in the animation industry.
The font “ilam” appears calmer and contrasts with the bold “X.” This combination highlights the company’s drive for experimentation while producing polished, well-thought-out works. During those times, Xilam boldly took risks and experimented with formats and styles, a daring approach reflected in their productions. The silver color of the font symbolizes reliability and professionalism, qualities that are crucial for a company aiming to stand out against competitors.
This logo is more than just a set of letters; it’s a visual representation of the company’s philosophy: a blend of innovative approaches with respect for animation traditions. Every detail of the emblem speaks to the company’s fearlessness in being bold, standing out, challenging conventional standards, and creating something new and memorable.
1999 – 2000
The red cross in the shape of the letter “X” became the hallmark of Xilam Animation immediately after the company’s inception in 1999. Its first version was uneven: the diagonals on the left side were connected by a jagged upward curving line that simulated a random brush stroke. The first word of the brand name was right under the cross. The artists made it gray and depicted each glyph in the style of hand-drawn Chinese characters.
2000 – today
In the modern logo, the red “X” is located to the left of the gray “i,” “l,” “a,” and “m.” Notably, the designers slightly improved its shape by removing the connection between the two diagonals. They also adapted the “X” to the rest of the glyphs, for which they reduced it and thickened it a bit. At the same time, the colors became a little lighter.
As far as we know, in the animated version of the logo, the letter “X” was drawn by a small white man. He used an artist’s brush and a can of red paint, and an empty, colorless surface served as a “canvas” for him. Based on this, the Xilam Animation graphic sign symbolizes the company’s main goal—to paint the world in bright colors, which it achieves with the help of animated series, feature-length cartoons, and other entertainment content.
2013
This logo exudes boldness and vibrancy like a talented graffiti artist spray-painted on an urban neighborhood wall. The visual mark practically screams creativity and unconventional thinking, which peaked when the company released some of its most iconic projects.
The standout feature of the emblem is the massive “Xilam” lettering, styled in graffiti fashion. Each letter is outlined in black, emphasizing the brand’s importance and significance. Inside the letters, there’s a blend of bright colors reminiscent of paint splashes on a wall. These vibrant transitions—from green to blue to red—create a sense of movement and energy as if the logo is ready to leap off the wall and charge forward. This perfectly captures the era when Xilam was in a state of constant growth and experimentation, striving to capture the attention of viewers worldwide.
The font is intentionally designed to be slightly messy and chaotic, symbolizing creative freedom and a rejection of rigid boundaries. Each letter “lives” its own life, yet together, they form a harmonious and memorable image that accurately reflects the company’s spirit.
The saturated colors, even with their neon-like, acid tones, are strongly associated with pop culture, significantly influencing animation and art at that time. These colors convey that the company isn’t afraid to stand out and be bold, drawing in a young and energetic audience.
Font and Colors
The logo creators created all the glyphs from scratch because they cannot be attributed to existing fonts. Moreover, typographers’ work resembles the art of Japanese calligraphy. The unique shape of the letters is comparable to hieroglyphs, where each line has a well-defined length and thickness.
The palette was also chosen with great care. Due to the light gray color, the designers focused on the red tint to show its brightness and optimism.
