Arrow Logos: Famous Designs & Hidden Meanings

Have you noticed that a great logo guides customers in the right direction? Well, some brands take that idea quite literally by incorporating arrows into their designs! After all, what better way to point customers in the right direction than with a symbol that’s universally understood? Besides, arrows are such versatile symbols that can be used to represent diverse interpretations, anything from speed to progress and growth. And today, we’re diving into the world of arrow logos. 

From technology to retail, automobile to entertainment, you’ll find arrow logos being used across industries. Besides, you’ll see them in all shapes and sizes. So, how does each brand that picks this one universal symbol make it its own? Some use typography. Others rely on visual styles. Some make colors do the talking. 

So let’s explore a selection of arrow logos to understand how brands can make such well-known visual cues work in their favor while also carving a niche for themselves. Ready for a dose of creativity? Let’s get started. 

8 Arrow Logos + Why They Work 

1. Amazon 

This is one of the most well-recognized arrow logos, with the arrow appearing prominently on delivery boxes, delivery trucks and other touchpoints. 

Appearing in a bright orange color, this arrow is also meant to function like the curve of a smile, to capture the happiness Amazon strives to deliver through every delivery. 

Additionally, in this case, the arrow is intentional and is meant to connect “a” to “z”. By connecting ‘A’ to ‘Z’, the arrow directly communicates that Amazon offers a vast range of products – literally everything from A to Z. This addresses a core value proposition of the company. 

To bring the elements together and keep them scalable, Amazon uses a clutter-free flat design. 

KIMP Tips: 

• Ensure that every single visual element in your logo is intentional. 
• Try and incorporate more than one message into the design to add a layered approach that makes your logo engaging. 

2. Accenture 

Accenture has an arrow logo, which, like the Amazon logo, does not put the arrow front and center but uses it as a supportive element to make the design more impactful. 

Additionally, the arrow in this logo is subtle, and the design features just the head of the arrow, more like a caret symbol. This subtly infuses a fresh vibe into the design and works in unison with the vibrant purple to represent the future-focused approach of this tech brand.

By pointing forward, the arrow in this arrow logo signals progress, which is relevant to the tech industry. Another way in which the brand makes the arrow work as a visual representation of movement and consistent progress is the positioning of the arrow. Did you notice that it is not centered to create visual balance? Instead, the arrow is slightly to the right, effectively symbolizing forward movement. 

KIMP Tips: 

• Use visual balance to your advantage. While a perfectly balanced design looks aesthetically elegant, skewing the balance in favor of a deeper meaning (as in the case of Accenture’s arrow placement) makes the design more intriguing. 
• Use colors relevant to your industry and your brand values. This helps add more meaning to the arrow (and other symbols) in your logo. 

3. FedEx

FedEx shows how you can still pack a punch when subtlety is the name of the game. Instead of the bold and visible arrows in most arrow logos, the edEx logo sneaks the arrow into the negative space between “E” and “X” seamlessly. This makes the arrow fit naturally into the design without complicating it. 

Like the other arrow logos, here as well, the symbol is intentional – it’s meant to signal movement, which is perfect for a logistics company that moves goods. 

The FedEx logo exemplifies the use of silent cues to create a logo that initiates conversations. Additionally, the logo is built on a strong color scheme that’s not common in the industry. Hence, the colors act as impactful brand identifiers, setting the brand apart in a crowded space. 

KIMP Tips: 

• Negative space can be one of the most powerful design elements when you use it creatively. 
• When pairing colors, consider contrast and harmony. Use the color wheel as your guide. 

4. AMD 

The AMD uses a contemporary style arrow logo with a minimalist appeal. As you can see, this one consists of two arrowheads forming a stylized square. The combination of upward and downward arrowheads adds a hint of balance to the design. The prominent upward and right-pointing arrow adds a touch of dynamism to the design while also symbolizing growth and progress. Evidently, these are both great traits to represent for a brand in the technology sector. 

The arrows are designed as sharp, angular shapes that complement the clean sans-serif all-caps typography of the wordmark. And the shapes here preserve the contemporary look of the design. 

One other notable detail here is the use of a monochromatic palette, which is fuss-free and easily scalable. This flat, high-contrast style ensures the logo remains legible and striking across various applications, from product labels to digital interfaces.

KIMP Tips: 

• Want to use familiar shapes but ensure that your logo is distinct from others in your segment? Consider abstract versions of the chosen shape, similar to the use of abstract arrow heads in the AMD logo. 
• If your brand operates in a technical field and more professional representations are suitable, consider using sharp angles and geometric shapes. They can effectively communicate expertise and innovation.

5. Subway 

The arrows in the Subway logo are subtle and yet they are crucial because they carry a lot of historical significance.

Reportedly, the current version of the Subway logo was inspired by the original signage of Pete’s Subway. The bespoke typeface itself was created based on this signage and was given a modern look to keep it relevant to the current era while preserving the company’s heritage. 

Building on the arrows that add an element of focus to the Subway logo, they also introduced the “Choice Mark,” a shorthand symbol to represent the brand across digital and print channels. This includes establishing the brand’s identity on their packaging and differentiating it from the other contenders in the fast-food segment. It consists of the arrows pointing right and left and seamlessly forming the letter “S” as well. 

Finally, there is also the wise use of colors, which makes the Subway logo a head-turner. Because a combination of yellow and green is not just unique in the segment but also relevant. Yellow communicates excitement and evokes hunger, while green hints at the choice of fresh ingredients used by Subway. 

KIMP Tips: 

• Shapes and symbols in your logo gain extra weight when you tie them back to a crucial brand milestone or your brand’s origin stories. 
• Create logos that tell a story rather than focusing on a design that merely looks good. 

6. Volvo 

Several large brands recently made the switch to ditch complicated details and choose a clean flat design, and Volvo is one of them. While flat, the design still looks a lot like the previous logo and therefore remains recognizable. The 3D version of the logo appears on the cars, whereas the flat design appears on the digital spaces, demonstrating how a clutter-free, sleek design makes a logo adaptable. 

Notably, the arrow in the Volvo logo conveys a hidden meaning. It’s derived from the alchemical symbol of iron. Arrow logos like this one that carry an inherent meaning are more engaging and help strengthen the brand’s identity. 

In this case, the visual style of the logo is strong, industrial, and classic, perfect for an automobile company. Besides, there is also a subtle use of shape psychology at play here since circles are known to evoke a sense of community and belonging. And Volvo cars are particularly designed for families looking for a safe ride. 

KIMP Tips: 

• When designing for a brand with a rich history, explore historic symbols with an intriguing story to tell. 
• Use the right typeface to represent what makes your brand special. In this case, Volvo is known to be a trustworthy name in the family car segment. Therefore, a strong serif font and the use of all-caps letters work. 

7. Skoda 

We have another arrow logo from the auto industry and this one belongs to Skoda. One of the strongest traits of the Skoda logo is its longevity. The winged arrow logo used by the brand has remained more or less similar and without drastic changes since 1926. By adding wings to the arrow, the brand expands the significance of using arrows in logos to denote speed and movement by adding an extra element to reinforce these traits. 

The brand also highlights that the design looks like “the stylised head of an Indian wearing a five-feathered headdress”. Such layered interpretations and intriguing details are what you get with carefully drafted abstract logos like the Skoda logo. 

This is one of the few logos that still retain their skeuomorphic details even in the digital age. The design uses chrome ring details that fit perfectly into the cars and the brand’s digital representation as well. 

KIMP Tips: 

• Choose logo colors with caution and intention. In this case, the color green has been part of Skoda’s identity since 1999 when they made a move toward environmentally-friendly production processes. 
• Combine shapes for maximum impact. In this case, Skoda combines the freedom and sense of movement that are communicated by a wing and an arrow by blending them into one design. 

8. Avengers 

This is undoubtedly one of the most well-recognized arrow logos, one of the most popular ones in the media and entertainment segment. The Avengers logo consists of a right-pointing arrow embedded seamlessly into the horizontal crossbar of “A”. 

The logo appears in the form of a monogram or with the letter “A” appearing within a partial circle as a part of the wordmark. In both these cases, the first stroke of “A” extends outward slightly to add a dynamic touch. 

While the base design itself is minimal, each movie uses a different version of the logo to suit the core aesthetics of that particular installment in the series. 

The arrow here seamlessly fits into the sans-serif modern typeface used and indicates action and progress without cluttering the design. But that’s not all – there is also the circle representing the team’s unity and strength. 

In the realm of superhero logos, the Avengers logo stands out with its simplicity and depth of symbolism. While many superhero logos are character-specific, the Avengers logo is designed to represent a collective identity, emphasizing the power of unity. 

KIMP Tips: 

• Like the Skoda logo, the Avengers logo also strengthens the value of arrows in logos by combining them with the right shape. That’s a brilliant reminder to start taking shape psychology more seriously when designing logos. 
• Keep it simple to keep it versatile. While the textures and gradients in the logo are all altered to suit the particular movie, all versions of the Avengers logos to date are built on the same version. 

Arrow Logos & More – Get KIMP to Transform Your Branding

So, arrows and other such familiar symbols can be used to give any brand’s logo a unique twist. It all boils down to how you combine the various visual elements of your logo, like colors, type, and visual styles, to create something that’s truly yours. A professional design team makes that so much simpler. When you have to combine symbols like the Skoda logo or add symbols like arrows to a sleek monogram like the Avengers logo, or create something subtle like the FedEx logo, the expertise of a team of experienced designers makes a big difference.

So sign up for a KIMP Graphics subscription and take your branding process to the next level. 

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