History of Visual Identity
Visual identity began at the dawn of history as a symbol of ownership, with clay seals and distinctive designs used to establish it.
In ancient times, before Christ, Mesopotamia (Iraq) used clay seals with designs that emphasized its authenticity.
In Egypt, the pharaohs used them as seals to signify a visual identity that distinguished their heritage.
During the Middle Ages, European craftsmen’s guilds used them as a logo to guarantee the quality of their products and gain wider recognition and distribution.
Then came the Industrial Revolution in the late 19th century, where it became a trademark for competitive purposes.
The need for a unified corporate identity arose with the increase in activities, leading to the design of different and more complex visual systems.
Then, from the 1990s to the present day, identity has evolved to become more flexible and adaptable.
Stages of Evolution of Visual Identity
Based on the above, the evolution of visual identity can be divided into the following stages:
Ancient and Medieval Times: Seals and trademarks, military arrowheads, and craftsmen’s marks.
The Industrial Revolution and Commercial Marketing: Large products were distinguished by labels, and trademarks were registered in 1975.
Corporate Design in the 20th Century with Visual Identity: The Modern Era: Integrated Identity and Simplified Logos.
The Digital Age: Interactive Identity: Dynamic Evolution.
In conclusion, from this perspective, we see today that identity is not merely a visual design, but a language of communication characterized by integration, clarity, and precision, leaving no ambiguity between one organization and another.
Each organization has a unique characteristic that distinguishes it from others in form, color, symbol, and identification numbers.