Puma is a renowned sportswear brand, established in 1948 in Herzogenaurach, Germany by Rudolf Dassler. Its inception is closely tied to Adidas, another sports brand founded by Rudolf’s brother, Adolf Dassler. The division between the brothers led to the creation of these two distinct and now famous brands.
Meaning and History
Gaining initial popularity for its soccer shoes, Puma has diversified into various sports categories, producing athletic and casual footwear, clothing, and accessories. The brand has been a significant presence in sports like running, basketball, and motorsports, and is celebrated for its innovative collaborations with high-profile designers and athletes.
Puma’s identity is encapsulated in its iconic logo, a leaping puma, symbolizing agility, strength, and speed. This imagery reflects the brand’s commitment to blending performance with style. Continuously adapting to the evolving market, Puma has cemented its status in both the sports and lifestyle sectors, known for its dedication to quality and cutting-edge design.
What is Puma?
Puma is a footwear brand that focuses on the sports sector. They provide everyday sneakers, as well as those for sprinters, footballers, and other athletes. The Puma-branded boots are known for their impressive quality and innovative design that looks unlike any other footwears.
1948 – 1951
The initial Puma logo features a pouncing puma in a dynamic, forward-moving pose, suggesting speed and agility. The animal is integrated into a solid rectangular background, emphasizing strength and stability.
1951 – 1958
This era introduces a diamond-shaped logo with the puma leaping upward, framed by the brand name and the word ‘SCHUHFABRIK,’ which means ‘shoe factory’ in German. This emblem highlights the brand’s origins and specialty in footwear.
1958 – 1968
A departure from the previous designs, this logo focuses on the product with a detailed illustration of a spiked running shoe, accompanied by the Puma name and the term ‘Formstrip,’ referring to the distinctive, functional feature on the shoe.
1968 – 1970
The logo simplifies to a silhouette of the puma, streamlined and horizontal, conveying motion and speed, encapsulating the brand’s essence without any text.
1970 – 1974
This iteration returns to a more detailed depiction of the puma, captured mid-leap with an outline drawing that adds a sense of refinement and elegance.
1974 – 1976
A bold era for the brand, the logo features the Puma name in a heavy, sans-serif typeface alongside the puma silhouette, now a well-recognized symbol of the brand, set within a rectangle.
1976 – 1978
The typeface becomes more stylized with italicized lettering, suggesting movement and energy, while the puma remains a prominent part of the logo.
1978 – 1980
The logo retains the italicized font but introduces a new element of depth with the puma leaping over the brand name, creating a layered effect.
1980 – 1988
A return to simplicity, the logo features the Puma name in a bold, sans-serif font with the puma silhouette leaping above, maintaining a clean and easily recognizable brand image.
1980 – today
This period marks the introduction of the now-iconic Puma logo, where the puma silhouette is captured in a powerful, poised leap, symbolizing the pinnacle of athletic performance.
1988 – today
In tandem with the previous logo, this version features the puma in a less arched leap, which has become synonymous with the brand’s identity, reflecting its commitment to combining athletic function with fashion.
Font
The Puma wordmark comes in a thick script with the letters’ vertical bars much bolder than the horizontal ones. There are no serifs, but due to the tight spacing the brand nameplate seems to be quite solid and eye-catching without them.
Color
Most Puma brand logos do not have multicolored details. The only non-black logos are the 1974-1976 version, with a green and white palette, and the recent iteration of 2003, with a white logo on a red background.
