Eurovision Song Contest 2024 is fast approaching. Now let’s remember that it’s not just about music. Over its 65-year history, the competition has had a vibrant legacy in visual design in the form of the annual Eurovision logo.
Since 1956, each host station has had to come up with a new logo design. Eurovision logos may depict national symbols or landmarks, or they may have a more figurative meaning. Other times, you may not be putting in much effort. Below, we look back at some of the highlights with a completely subjective roundup of the best and worst Eurovision logos to date (we asked Graham Norton, but he was busy). If you want to get one, see our selection of the best band logos).
The best Eurovision logo ever
We’ll start with the best Eurovision Song Contest logos, then move on to the logos that deserve points. The top-ranked designs range from the iconic to the brave and unique.
01. 1974 Eurovision logo
Topping the list is the logo design for the 1974 Brighton event. It symbolizes everything Eurovision stands for (as you probably know: spreading world peace through the beauty of song) in a simple, universal symbol. This was during the Cold War, when doves were not only a common symbol of peace, but also associated with movements against nuclear arms. This year’s winning song was a catchy number that revolved around a metaphorical reference to the great battles in Europe that left thousands of people dead. Good for you, Ava.
02. 1985 Eurovision Logo
The 1980s were a period rich in Eurovision logos. Check out this beauty that looks like it came straight out of a vintage video game box. Sure, the “G” in “Song” isn’t very obvious, but the neon light typography in “Contest” is really something. This was Eurovision’s best graphic design. 12 points, Sweden.
03. 2023 Eurovision Logo
Perhaps the best recent Eurovision logo is the 2023 design by Design Bridge & Partners and Starlight Creative, which is hosting the event on behalf of Ukraine and from Liverpool. Many recent Eurovision logos aim to convey themes of unity and diversity, but few have succeeded with such classy concept and execution.
The logo design was inspired by the idea of “160 million hearts beating as one”, reflecting their “united in music” and Eurovision’s huge global audience. . Read our interview with the team behind branding to learn more.
Daily design news, reviews, how-tos, and more, chosen by our editors.
04. 2020 Eurovision Logo
Another recent design success is the Eurovision 2020 logo inspired by the Rotterdam infographic. Created by data visualization company CLEVER°FRANKE, it displays the colors of each country’s flag in the order in which they first participated. Going for a data-driven approach may feel a bit cold to the camp and a bit of a crazy Eurovision delight, but the result is a bold logo design that’s a break from the clichéd cheesiness of the past two years. did.
The design also reportedly has a cheeky hidden reference. The five rays of light on the right side are said to represent the previous five times the Netherlands had won the contest. I’m not sure if such boasts fit into the sporting spirit of the competition, but Easter eggs are not often used in Eurovision logos. The design was so successful that Rotterdam adopted the same data-driven approach when hosting Eurovision 2021 the following year.
05. Eurovision 2000 logo
Sweden also did this in 2000. The minimalist approach and lack of color may not exactly capture the campy fun of the pageant, but the motif is reminiscent of The Rocky Horror Picture Picture Show. It is also a clear reference to songs and speeches. Stockholm deserves all the credit for bucking the trend.
06 / 07. Eurovision logos of 1994 and 1995
Credit must also be given to Dublin for having two of the wildest logo designs Eurovision has ever seen. The 1994 logo depicts the Castle of Dublin’s coat of arms and his 12 stars of the European flag. Participation in the contest is not limited to European Union member states, but don’t worry about that. I don’t know what’s going on with the 1995 design, maybe it has an E for European or Yale, but it has character. No, it doesn’t work on small sizes, but hey, this was (almost) before the internet.
08. 1968 Eurovision logo
Simple and to the point, this 1968 design was the first Eurovision logo to really look like a logo. The shape is based on a design that BBC stage designer Timothy O’Brien is believed to have created for the Eurovision stage set several years ago. This shape was used for his 1965 Naples logo, but the Eurovision name was added for the 1968 London Games. Madrid chose a similar design for the following year’s event.
09. 2017 Eurovision Logo
The Kiev Eurovision 2017 logo was an interesting design that you can actually learn something from. The logo is inspired by the traditional Ukrainian necklace, or namist, which is considered a talisman and a symbol of beauty and health. This ball was chosen because it consists of different balls, each with its own design, celebrating both diversity and individuality.
Worst Eurovision logo ever
Sadly, some Eurovision Song Contest logos don’t create as much design ‘euphoria’. Here’s a selection of people who should have left “before the party was over.”
01. 2014 Eurovision Logo
There is a place for hashtags, and that place is not in the middle of your logo design, but at the end of your X or Instagram post. The diamonds, which look like something you have to collect in a video game, add to the unpleasant atmosphere. Sorry, Copenhagen.
02. 2004 Eurovision logo
In 2004, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) introduced a new universal logo that is still used today (the script was cleaned up a bit in 2015). As the reaction to the recent Super Bowl logo in the United States shows, imposing a generic brand on a big event creates a more consistent brand identity, but is often disappointed by fans. At least in the EBU, each organizer still has the ability to design their own complementary icon, but for this first appearance, Istanbul just went with a generic logotype, which in retrospect seems like a lackluster effort. It looks like it was.
03. 2024 Eurovision Logo
No, it’s Malmö. It’s not logo design. This is a generic Eurovision logotype overlaid on a gradient background.
04. 1957 Eurovision Logo
It’s a bit unfair to criticize early Eurovision designs. Branding wasn’t what it is today, and the first few events didn’t have a proper logo, just the name of the contest written in French. But this design, from the second year of the competition held in Frankfurt, looks more like a crudely handmade wedding invitation. I would like to be able to say that the number of stars represents the number of participating countries, or the number of stars on the European flag. But that’s not the case.
05. 1973 Eurovision Logo
Throughout the 1960s, Eurovision began adopting a more stylized visual identity, with authentic logo designs for each event. This proposal, offered by Luxembourg in 1973, was a step backward.
06. Eurovision 1998 logo
Some designs never really get old, but the logo for the Eurovision Song Contest in Birmingham feels like it’s from a few years earlier than 1998. The blue shape is taken from the European Broadcasting Union logo and is the one that many people are familiar with. Eurovision viewers are unlikely to know or care.
07. 1986 Eurovision Logo
Did you see what they did there? It’s overdone, making the “G” and “C” look like “86” while making the whole thing look like a musical score. That year, the “Sonon Test” was held in Bergen.
08. Eurovision 1991 logo
From the clipart microphone to the random placement of the 36 to the font choice, this design was anything but phoenix-like.
09. 2003 Eurovision logo
Latvia considered hosting a MICE tourism conference in 2003.
10. 2016 Eurovision Logo
And in 2016, Stockholm thought it was hosting an intergalactic biotechnology conference. Either that or someone spiked the drink.
11. Eurovision 2001 logo
Listen, Copenhagen. The Eurovision Song Contest is an event given to Dana International and tATu, not Autechre. Sure, the design embraced Danish minimalism and reflected the event’s stage design, but it was far too abstract and pretentious for Eurovision, resembling only vaguely a heart. And the all lowercase title is just so infuriating.
Looking for more logo design inspiration? Check out our selection of the best World Cup logos and Euro 2024 logos.