The North Face Logo
The North Face is one of the world’s top brands for mountaineering gear and outdoor clothing and equipment. The logo is classic, simple and with hidden meaning. It may also be one of the most counterfeited logos in history along with sportswear brands Nike and Adidas!
Since North Face branched out into consumer fashion, you can see the famous logo every day on clothing items such as outerwear, jackets, hoodies and much more. Worn by Men and Women, children and even babies, the brand is synonymous with quality and outdoor adventure.
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The North Face logo design was inspired by the ‘Half Dome’ peak in the Yosemite National Park, California. The Half Dome, reaching 2694m, is the southernmost summit of Indian Ridge and is named for its distinctive shape. One side is a sheer granite face while the other 3 sides are smooth and round, making it appear like a dome cut in half.
The North Face Logo
The North Face logo was created by the Californian graphic designer David Alcorn in 1971. David is a now a partner at Zartists.com specialising in upmarket book design.
The logo features a slightly slanted quarter-circle, representing The Half Dome, with two lines marked inside it. The typeface used for the lettering is the classic Helvetica Bold.
The Use of Type
The Typeface used in the classic logo is Helvetica Bold, a simple and clean font style…
Notable features of Helvetica as originally designed include a high x-height, the termination of strokes on horizontal or vertical lines and unusually tight spacing between letters, which combine to give it a dense, solid appearance.
Designers Miedinger and Hoffmann set out to create a neutral typeface that had great clarity, no intrinsic meaning in its form, and could be used on a wide variety of signage. Originally named Neue Haas Grotesk (New Haas Grotesque), it was rapidly licensed by Linotype and renamed Helvetica in 1960, which in Latin means “Swiss” (from Helvetia), capitalising on Switzerland’s reputation as a centre of ultra-modern graphic design.
The Use of Colour
The red is symbolic of passion and courage and combines with black, which denotes supremacy, elegance and dominance, to create an iconic brand.
Simplicity
Simple colours and shapes make The North Face Logo stand out in print, on signage and on equipment and clothing designs. A simple design such as this lends itself well to all forms of print, sportswear gear embroidery, engraving and more.
Inspired By Mountaineers
In 1964, Douglas and Susie Tompkins started The North Face, Inc. as a mail-order and retail company, selling rock climbing and camping equipment. The early years set the design standard of good quality sleeping bags, backpacks, and mountaineering tents. The Tompkins designs of tents were some of the first to avoid a pole in the middle, by using bendable rods threaded through exterior sleeves instead.
This design also increased the strength of the tent because the domed shape allowed the wind to roll over it. These tents have been widely copied throughout the world. In 1966, the first The North Face store was opened; the band The Grateful Dead played at the grand opening. A second store followed in the Old barn at Stanford.
In 1968, Tompkins sold out his stake to Kenneth “Hap” Klopp for $50,000, using the profit to join his wife in co-founding Esprit, a fashion designs house. Tompkins was driven to selling The North Face with the intention of a focus on adventure filmmaking and became a notable conservationist.
Hap Klopp served as President and CEO of The North Face for 20 years. During his time, The North Face was honoured with many awards for being the best-managed company in its industry, including being lauded by Business Week magazine for providing one of the highest quality sportswear products of any company in the USA.
Hap Klopp led The North Face to its position as the largest and most successful company in its industry and one of the largest privately held companies in the San Francisco East Bay.
Adventurer and executive, Klopp has run numerous companies and spoken around the world on adventuring, leadership, selling, entrepreneurship, and the human side of management.
Through the development of The North Face, he established the mountaineering and backpacking industry and along the way was highlighted on national television and in such publications as BusinessWeek, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Inc., Success, and San Francisco Focus magazine.
The North Face has become a worldwide outdoor gear and sportswear brand trusted by skiers, snowboarders, surfers and campers to mention just a few types of outdoors enthusiasts. Venture up to The Lake District in England and you will spot many hikers, climbers and campers resplendent in their North Face gear.
After selling The North Face, he began an international management consulting firm with offices in Berkeley, CA and Tokyo. He has simultaneously participated in a number of entrepreneurial ventures and orchestrated the takeover of the world’s leading rugby company, Canterbury of New Zealand (based in New Zealand). Concurrently, he has written the highly acclaimed book on leadership called: The Adventure of Leadership: An Unorthodox Business Guide from the Man who Conquered the North Face. He combines all of this with his ongoing sporting and adventuring activities.
Klopp holds an AB in political science and executive management and a MBA from Stanford University.
Bought Out By VF Corporation
In 2000, The North Face was acquired by VF Corporation in a deal worth $25.4 million and became a wholly-owned subsidiary. The company was headquartered in Alameda, California, co-located with its corporate sibling, JanSport. In 2020, the company’s headquarters relocated to Denver, Colorado.
An Inspiration to Designers Everywhere
At SEO Blackpool, we love simple, classic logo designs. The North Face Logo has all this and more, especially with its almost-hidden meaning. Great brand, great products and a great logo.
Chris Giles is the owner of CGain Web Design & SEO and has been involved in the internet industry since the early 1990’s. He has been the marketing manager of several multi-million turnover companies. He is a Fellow of The Chartered Institute of Marketing (FCIM) and a Fellow of The Institute of Data and Marketing (F IDM).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The North Face mean?
‘The North Face’ refers to the famous ‘Half Dome’ Granite peak in Yosemite, California.
Who Designed The North Face Logo?
The logo was designed by the Californian graphic designer David Alcorn in 1971, who went on to become a notable designer of upmarket books.
What font is The North Face Logo?
The logo uses the typeface Helvetica Bold, designed in 1957 by Swiss typeface designer Max Miedinger with input from Eduard Hoffmann
Who founded The North Face?
The company was founded in 1964 by outdoor enthusiast (and later conservationist) Douglas Tomkins and his wife Susie.
Who is The North Face owned by?
The North Face is owned by The VF Corporation, they purchased the brand from Hap Klopp.
What inspired the North Face logo design?
The North Face logo design was inspired by Half Dome, a granite dome in Yosemite National Park in California. Half Dome is one of the most iconic landmarks in the United States and is a popular destination for hikers and climbers alike. The logo is a simplified version of Half Dome, with the two curved lines representing the dome’s shape and the two straight lines representing the face of the mountain.
How did the North Face come up with the idea for the logo?
The North Face was founded in 1966 by two hiking enthusiasts, Douglas Tompkins and his wife Susie, who wanted to create a brand that could provide high-quality outdoor apparel and equipment for serious mountaineers. They wanted to create a brand that was inspired by the ruggedness of the outdoors and the spirit of exploration. The North Face logo was designed by David Alcorn, a graphic designer from San Francisco.
How has the North Face logo evolved over time?
The North Face logo has changed significantly over the years, and its evolution reflects the growth and success of the brand. The original logo was designed in 1966, and featured a simple, red-and-black design with the words “The North Face” in white lettering. This logo was used until the late 1970s, when the company decided to update its look.
What do the different elements of the North Face logo represent?
The North Face logo is an iconic symbol of outdoor exploration and adventure. It consists of two overlapping half-circles, each with a different colour and a unique design. The two circles represent the two hemispheres of the Earth, while the colors represent the sky and the land. The design of the logo is meant to evoke a sense of exploration and discovery, as the overlapping circles symbolize the journey of exploration and the unknown.
How did the North Face decide on the colours for the logo?
The North Face has used the same logo since the company’s founding in 1968, and the iconic half-dome logo has become synonymous with the brand. The logo was designed by David Alcorn, who was a graphic designer for the company at the time. Alcorn was inspired by the Half Dome rock formation in Yosemite National Park, which is a popular destination for North Face customers.
How did the North Face come up with the tagline "Never Stop Exploring"?
The North Face is an outdoor apparel and equipment company that has been around since 1966. The company was founded by two outdoor enthusiasts, who wanted to create high-quality outdoor clothing and equipment for outdoor adventurers. The company has become well-known for its tagline “Never Stop Exploring”, which was first used in a print ad in 1988.
How do people react to the North Face logo?
People tend to have a very positive reaction to the North Face logo. The iconic logo, which features a half-dome shape with two peaks, is instantly recognizable and has become a symbol of quality and adventure. The North Face logo is often seen as a symbol of exploration and adventure. It is often associated with outdoor activities such as hiking, climbing, skiing, and camping. People who are passionate about the outdoors often see the logo as a sign of quality and reliability.
Facts About The North Face Logo
1. The North Face logo was designed by David Alcorn in 1971.
2. The logo is a half-dome shape, which is a reference to the Half Dome rock formation in Yosemite National Park.
3. The North Face logo is made up of two colours.
4. The logo is often referred to as the “Half Dome” logo.
5. The North Face logo is one of the most recognisable logos in the outdoor industry.
6. The North Face logo has been used in various forms since its inception in 1971.
7. The North Face logo is featured on all of the company’s clothing apparel, footwear, and equipment.
8. The North Face logo is also featured on the company’s website, social media accounts, and advertising campaigns.
9. The North Face logo is often seen on the backpacks of hikers and climbers.
Statistics About The North Face Logo
1. The North Face logo has been in use since the company was founded.
2. The logo is a half-dome graphic with the words “The North Face” written in bold, block letters.
3. The North Face logo is used on all of the company’s products, including clothing, footwear, and outdoor equipment.
4. The logo is recognised by over 90% of outdoor enthusiasts in the United States.
5. The logo has been featured in over 1,000 magazine and newspaper articles.
6. The North Face logo has been featured in over 500 television commercials.
7. The logo has been featured in over 200 movies and television shows.
8. The North Face logo has been seen by over 1 billion people worldwide.
9. The logo has been featured in over 100 video games.
10. A favourite brand of sportswear gear for campers, hikers, mountain lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
