Adidas Logo: Unraveling the Stripes of Style

In the world of sports apparel, Adidas is one of the top dogs. Their shoes, fashion and apparel live at the intersection of style and performance which is why athletes and fashion lovers have loved them for decades.
Today we are here to explore the Adidas logo and find out why it’s such a great logo.
We will break it down bit by bit so you can learn how to create a logo that’s just as memorable as the Adidas logo.

Adidas Logo – Three Stripes Of Success
The Adidas brand hasn’t always used the three stripes logo. But we’ll get to that later. For now let’s take a moment to appreciate why the three stripes logo is such a big design. So let’s take a closer look at the actual design elements that make this a great logo.
Simplicity Over Complexity
First of all the Adidas logo is super simple and features three vertical stripes. No intricate design patterns or flourishes. So it’s easy to see and remember in the future. Plus it also fits the minimalist style of the brand itself. So it’s a clean and visually appealing logo that’s on brand.
Tip
When designing your own logo try to aim for a simple yet visually striking design. You don’t have to think too hard to come up with designs that are fancy and complex. Sometimes simple logo design has the most impact for brands.
Symbolizing Performance
The modern logo is also a great symbol that represents the core values of the brand which are performance, endurance and the actual structure of their shoes. So it’s not just a simple and memorable logo. It’s also a symbol that’s become a badge of honour for athletes around the world to wear on and off the court.
Tip
Just like Adidas look for ways to incorporate your brand’s values into your design.This isn’t just a cool design trick. Showcasing brand values in your logo makes it easier to build deeper connections with the people who buy your products.

The Adidas Logo & Brand Evolution
As mentioned the Adidas logo wasn’t always what we see today. And if there’s one important lesson to take from all this is that modern brands need to refresh their logos from time to time to stay relevant.
So let’s take a look at some of the design variations Adidas has used over the years.
- The Trefoil logo – This logo was introduced in 1971 and is one of the most well known versions of the logo. The design is a stylized flower shape with three leaves which just like the modern logo represents the three core pillars of the business.
- The Three Stripes – In the 90s the brand introduced the more modern three stripes logo. It was a totally different design. But Adidas made sure to keep the three pillar idea alive even in its new design.
- The Modern Logos – Adidas has also released several newer versions of its logo. But they have never strayed far from their three pillars concept.
Tip
It’s normal for businesses to redesign their logos. However as you can see from Adidas’ logo history you should always keep some aspects of your branding the same. By keeping branded elements the same you ensure that your logo remains recognizable even when releasing a new design.
The Deeper Meaning Of The Adidas Logo
Whether we’re talking about the design as a symbol for athletic prowess or a symbol with a much deeper meaning the Adidas logo truly represents not only the business but the world of sports itself.
- High octane sports – Performance. Endurance. And athletic prowess. These are just a few meanings hidden in the logo. But they all represent the company’s commitment to athletic excellence.
- Fashion – Yes Adidas is mostly thought of as a sports brand. But they also keep a close focus on fashion which is why it’s not only athletes that wear their apparel. Musicians, artists and everyday consumers also love Adidas because of their style and attention to detail.
- Brand recognition – Because of its deeper meaning and the brand’s fashion choices the Adidas logo has become a powerful branding and marketing tool. This just goes to show you how a simple logo design can establish your brand as a leader in its industry.
Tip
As you can see from the Adidas story you need to design a logo that’s stylish, eye catching and meaningful. But above all you also need to come up with a design that’s versatile. Like the Adidas logo any great logo needs to look good anywhere, whether it’s on sneakers, jerseys, t-shirts, sweaters, websites, social profiles or anywhere else.
Adidas – A Legacy Of Innovation
The Adidas Company was founded by Adolf Dassler just after the end of World War II. He didn’t know it then. But he kickstarted a footwear brand that would take the world by storm.
But what makes the company and its history so special?
Let’s find out!
Vision And Leadership
The company has always been about innovation and leadership. Whether it was the first shoes they put on the market or the new clothing lines they release every year Adidas products are built on new ideas that keep the brand at the top of its industry.
Sponsoring The World Of Sports
Whether it’s partnering with famous hip hop artists like Run DMC or sponsoring athletes around the world the company has always been present in the lives of its customers. This shows that good brands don’t just sell products. They get into the world where their customers live and thrive.
Sustainable Brand Practices
To be loved and accepted by modern consumers today’s brands need to focus on sustainable practices. And that’s something Adidas has been doing for decades. For this company it means using recycled materials and reducing carbon footprints.
Tip
We encourage you to look at the Adidas story and think about how your brand can go above and beyond the ordinary. Adidas for example doesn’t just sell shoes and fashion. They partner with athletes, sponsor sports teams and get into the real world where their target audience spends its time.

How To Build A Brand Like Adidas
Hope you learned something new about building a world class brand like Adidas. But we should remind you that consistency is key when building a brand.
You need to use brand colours, fonts, logos and design across all the platforms where you interact with your customers and clients.
And here at GraphicSprings we have all the knowledge and tools you need to design a world class brand for your own business.
Look around our blog for ideas and inspiration, check out our logo templates and go to our logo design page to get started with your brand logo today!
Lukas is part of the content writing team at GraphicSprings, bringing his marketing expertise to the forefront. With a degree in Marketing, he crafts informative articles on social media, branding, and logo design.