We will explore the meaning and other \u201chidden meanings\u201d of the Airbnb logo along with looking at some of its controversies. But first, let\u2019s look at the company\u2019s history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Brief History of Airbnb<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Airbnb is an online marketplace where people looking for accommodations are connected to people renting out their property. The online platform is a favorite for those looking out for a homestay over hotels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The idea for the online marketplace came up when friends Joe Gebbia and Brian Chesky turned their living room into a bed and breakfast by putting an air mattress there. In 2008, Nathan Blecharczyk joined Joe and Brian as the third founder and called their new venture AirBed & Breakfast (Airbnb).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Founded in 2008, the San Francisco-based online marketplace covers more than 190 countries in the world today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meaning of Airbnb Logo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Airbnb\u2019s unique approach towards changing traditional lodging arrangements and integrating it with the current wave of \u201csharing economy\u201d has been the bedrock of their success. However, the company\u2019s logo has had a hand in the company\u2019s success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For any brand to thrive, creating awareness is critical, especially if it is a new industry. Airbnb successfully created the new industry by raising awareness among people through aggressive digital advertising. The Airbnb emblem served as the foundation of their digital marketing efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Airbnb symbol has fascinated people in many ways. Some even think that there are some hidden meanings in the symbol. We will discuss the hidden meanings later, but first, let me tell you about its \u201csurface\u201d meaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The interesting-looking Airbnb emblem is made up of various symbols. The teardrop in the middle portrays a person\u2019s head, signifying that Airbnb is a people-oriented brand. The same is associated with the location icon, symbolizing travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Airbnb Logo History<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"History](\"https:\/\/designbro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Airbnb-Logo-History.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAirbnb revamped its visual identity only once in its history, changing the original blue icon in 2014. The first official Airbnb logo was the blue one; however, they used the following logo when they initially started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Initial](\"https:\/\/designbro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Airbnb-Initial-Logo.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n2008 \u2013 2014<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The original Airbnb emblem was a blue and white wordmark. The interesting cursive inscription was visually divided into two parts: Air and bnb. The \u201cAir\u201d was placed slightly above \u201cbnb,\u201d giving the entire logo a fun vibe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lowercase wordmark appeared welcoming along with evoking a sense of reliability and professionalism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2014 \u2013 Now<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Airbnb overhauled its visual identity in 2014. Created by the London-based design studio Belong Together, the logo seemed simple at first glance. The visually appealing logo comprises an abstract symbol and the wordmark placed towards its left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The logo has drawn a considerable amount of controversy over the years, along with facing harsh criticism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Color Palette of Airbnb Logo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Airbnb uses a pink and white color palette to represent itself as a friendly company. The choice of colors reflects the brand as warm, kind, and concerned. Pink and white together in the logo portray love, protection, and feelings of tenderness. The soft colors have helped the brand stand apart from the crowd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Airbnb Logo Typeface<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The lowercase Airbnb wordmark has been executed using a conventional sans serif typeface. The typeface appears very close to LL Brown: a geometric sans serif font.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Controversy Around Airbnb Logo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The 2014 edition of the logo has been a subject of various controversies. The first controversy surrounding the B\u00e9lo (the name of the symbol) is in the way it looks. People have compared the symbol to the female genitalia! However, CTO Nathan Blecharczyk felt that people didn\u2019t really stop to think about what the B\u00e9lo really represented. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
An article published on Vox<\/a> mentions: \u201cIt\u2019s just like: Go ahead, laugh all you want, guys,\u2019 he said. \u2018We wouldn\u2019t want to design a logo that caters to the lowest common denominator. This was a yearlong undertaking for dozens of people, it\u2019s something meaningful, and no one really pauses to understand that\u2026 The symbol is not supposed to be a symbol; it\u2019s supposed to be something with meaning. The B\u00e9lo is a vehicle for rich, deep, emotional, human stories.<\/em>“<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nThe symbol has also drawn significant criticism due to its likeness to Automation Anywhere\u2019s logo. According to a BBC article<\/a>, the likeness appears to be \u201cmisplaced.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nAs per the article, Airbnb and Automation Anywhere \u201cbegan the use of new logos\u201d in early 2014 and the similarity in designs are a mere \u201ccoincidence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAirbnb and Automation Anywhere are working cooperatively to address this issue, and Automation Anywhere is in the process of transitioning to a new logo design that is not similar to the Airbnb logo.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nHidden Meanings of Airbnb Logo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Not one, not two, well not even three, but the B\u00e9lo has four meanings! The interesting symbol is more than an infinity loop. Wow! Did I just come up with a fifth one? Well, it does resemble the infinity loop, maybe a bit!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAirbnb revamped its visual identity only once in its history, changing the original blue icon in 2014. The first official Airbnb logo was the blue one; however, they used the following logo when they initially started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The original Airbnb emblem was a blue and white wordmark. The interesting cursive inscription was visually divided into two parts: Air and bnb. The \u201cAir\u201d was placed slightly above \u201cbnb,\u201d giving the entire logo a fun vibe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The lowercase wordmark appeared welcoming along with evoking a sense of reliability and professionalism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Airbnb overhauled its visual identity in 2014. Created by the London-based design studio Belong Together, the logo seemed simple at first glance. The visually appealing logo comprises an abstract symbol and the wordmark placed towards its left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The logo has drawn a considerable amount of controversy over the years, along with facing harsh criticism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Airbnb uses a pink and white color palette to represent itself as a friendly company. The choice of colors reflects the brand as warm, kind, and concerned. Pink and white together in the logo portray love, protection, and feelings of tenderness. The soft colors have helped the brand stand apart from the crowd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The lowercase Airbnb wordmark has been executed using a conventional sans serif typeface. The typeface appears very close to LL Brown: a geometric sans serif font.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2014 edition of the logo has been a subject of various controversies. The first controversy surrounding the B\u00e9lo (the name of the symbol) is in the way it looks. People have compared the symbol to the female genitalia! However, CTO Nathan Blecharczyk felt that people didn\u2019t really stop to think about what the B\u00e9lo really represented. <\/p>\n\n\n\n An article published on Vox<\/a> mentions: \u201cIt\u2019s just like: Go ahead, laugh all you want, guys,\u2019 he said. \u2018We wouldn\u2019t want to design a logo that caters to the lowest common denominator. This was a yearlong undertaking for dozens of people, it\u2019s something meaningful, and no one really pauses to understand that\u2026 The symbol is not supposed to be a symbol; it\u2019s supposed to be something with meaning. The B\u00e9lo is a vehicle for rich, deep, emotional, human stories.<\/em>“<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n The symbol has also drawn significant criticism due to its likeness to Automation Anywhere\u2019s logo. According to a BBC article<\/a>, the likeness appears to be \u201cmisplaced.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n As per the article, Airbnb and Automation Anywhere \u201cbegan the use of new logos\u201d in early 2014 and the similarity in designs are a mere \u201ccoincidence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAirbnb and Automation Anywhere are working cooperatively to address this issue, and Automation Anywhere is in the process of transitioning to a new logo design that is not similar to the Airbnb logo.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Not one, not two, well not even three, but the B\u00e9lo has four meanings! The interesting symbol is more than an infinity loop. Wow! Did I just come up with a fifth one? Well, it does resemble the infinity loop, maybe a bit!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n2008 \u2013 2014<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2014 \u2013 Now<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Color Palette of Airbnb Logo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Airbnb Logo Typeface<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Controversy Around Airbnb Logo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Hidden Meanings of Airbnb Logo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Hidden](\"https:\/\/designbro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Airbnb-Logo-Meaning.png\"){kind=logo}
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/designbro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/conclusion-cta.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"