Banco Central do Brasil – What's the concept?
A look at the concept behind Aloísio Magalhães' 1975 logo for Banco Central do Brasil.
To coincide with the construction of a new headquarters, which would centralise the activities of 12 different sites throughout the capital, Banco Central do Brasil also sought out a new logo, engaging renowned designer Aloísio Magalhães to undertake the work.
Although, at the time of designing the logo, the building was just a model, Magalhães was inspired by the aerial view and the distinctive shadow that was created by the building’s form. This referenced the Dobrão, Brazil’s first currency, which was circulated between 1707 and 1750.
Architect Hélio Ferreira Pinto modified the ends of the Cruz de Cristo, which was engraved on the Dobrão and gave it a more squared finish, and from there came the footprint of the building which the extended upwards. This can also been seen in the logo.
As a final reference, a subtle plus sign can be seen within the logo. This was a subtle expression of wealth accumulation on the part of the bank’s clients. This connection between ancient currency, wealth accumulation and architecture saw the logo endure over time, and is currently still in use today.
Figurative Logos
Unlike abstract art, figurative art is grounded in visible reality, clearly derived from real object sources. Similarly, figurative logos find their origins in the real world. However, due to the necessities of ownership and recognition, the designer goes one step further, offering an interpretation of the real world but as a flat and simplified form.
The benefit of such a logo is the immediate visual connection with the familiar, opening the door, so to speak, in which to then incept an idea and form an association with a brand. The skill is in maintaining a tension between the familiar and unique, the ubiquitous and the distinctive.
You can find hundreds more figurative logos to learn from on LogoArchive. Search “figurative”.
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What a truly fascinating story behind this logo you've talked about. I've never heard of this logo, but reading this story on it makes me glad that I've discovered it when I did.