The Dallas Cowboys have had a simple yet familiar logo for 61 years.
It's a lone five-point star that hasn't changed much. In 1964, the designer added a white outline to balance its personality. The navy star has since become one of the most recognizable trademarks in the sports industry. It's unique, powerful, and memorable.
But let's find out how it came to be
History of the Dallas Cowboys logo
The Dallas Cowboys team once updated their first logo, designed in 1960. However, the transformation did not result in significant changes, as the artists took a conservative approach and retained the original drawing, adding only two contours. This was done in 1964, after which the club's owners considered the redesign complete and did not return to the issue of modernizing the style. The club has only used two logos since its inception. Both symbols feature a blue five-pointed star, a nod to Texas‘ past as the “Lone Star State,” and a symbol of Texas’ fight for independence from Mexico and the country.
1960 - 1963
For three years, the Dallas Cowboys wore helmets with a five-pointed star. It looked like the white five-pointed star of the state flag, which stood for all of Texas and the unity of God, state, and country. The only difference was the color. The dark blue star for the Dallas Cowboys was supposed to stand out from the other colors.
1964 – Today
In 1964, Outfitting Manager Jack Eskridge ensured that the logo had a white and dark blue outline. This was because the players had recently started wearing blue helmets, and the team management needed to highlight their graphic symbol, which had blended with the plain background. The Dallas Cowboys‘ unique symbol is no longer just a star but a star with an unusual double frame. The scale and overall proportions of the figure have not been changed. The Dallas Cowboys logo is becoming increasingly iconic and recognizable.
Font and colors of the emblem
The developers carefully chose the central motif for the logo. The blue five-pointed star depicted by the artists reflects the historical heritage of Texas – the so-called Lone Star State. It is most likely a copy of the Texas flag, representing the unity of the United States, the state, and God. Today, the star represents the entire state of Texas and symbolizes the whole country. This iconic design mirrors the boldness and legacy of the Cowboys, much like how the fast-paced world of online casinos has its iconic symbols, such as the popular Crusino Casino, which is recognized for offering a variety of gaming experiences that draw on rich traditions and modern design.
Besides the main element, there are no other graphics or inscriptions on the Dallas Cowboys logo. The designers chose the five-pointed star of the state flag as the central element. However, while it was initially white, here it was dark blue to play on the contrast. White was not used at all until 1964. It was added after the redesign as a broad line along the inner contour, symbolizing the evolution and growth of the team, much like the development of casino branding, which continuously adapts to appeal to a broader audience.
Alternative symbols
In addition to the star logo, the team also had a symbol of a polo player. The blue and white version from 1960 showed a cowboy riding a horse while carrying a football. The 1966 symbol used a more colorful palette, including light blue, black, red, and white. Besides a few details and the direction, the player and his horse didn't change much (now looking to the right).
Anniversary Symbols
Dallas Cowboys logos commemorating their 25th and 40th anniversaries
Designers often create special versions of the logo that look more complicated than the normal one to mark the team's anniversary. For example, the Dallas Cowboys logo, designed to commemorate the team's 25th anniversary, featured three stars and new visual effects. Instead of just ‘Cowboys,’ there was also the club's full name and the words ‘Silver Season.’
Another logo was created for the team's 40th anniversary. A ribbon was tied around the star, and multiple inscriptions in different fonts were made.
Elements of the Cowboys logo design
Design elements are essential components when creating branding assets. However, if you don't choose carefully, you risk damaging your brand's identity. Fortunately, the artist who made the Dallas Cowboys' trademark selected the best graphics for the team. Let's look at the colors and symbols the designer used to create this familiar yet simple logo.
Cowboys Symbols and Logo Shape
A Texas Star
1960 - 1964
Colors of the Cowboys Logo
Blue
The Dallas Cowboys' unique color is blue, which you will recognize as navy blue. Blue represents trust, wisdom, and freedom. It can also evoke feelings of stability, self-confidence, and serenity. According to psychologists, blue is associated with intuition, heaven, and inspiration.
White
White is the next official club color. It denotes the outline of the star and usually triggers positive feelings. Experts say white is associated with light, kindness, and purity. This neutral color also represents faith, protection, humility, and simplicity.
Why does the Cowboys logo work?
The logo is simple
Because it is simple, the Dallas Cowboys logo is influential and successful. Minimal graphic elements are used in modest logos, making them instantly recognizable and memorable. It is no secret that the Cowboys' logo has just one symbol in two colors.
The logo is unique
Once again, the Dallas Cowboys logo is helpful because it is exceptional. Similar visual identities are hard to come by in the football industry. This sets it apart from competing clubs and makes it easier for fans to identify. The brand avoids confusion by maintaining this level of quality.
The logo is retrievable
Great logos are memorable in every industry. Most powerful logos have fewer design elements, which allows them to stand out. Fortunately for us, the Dallas Cowboys logo is also in the hall of fame. Its cleanliness makes it easy for fans to connect with and remember the brand's personality.
The logo is versatile
Today's advertising platform is vast and ever-expanding, offering a variety of mediums for brand promotion. Surprisingly, the Cowboys' owners are well aware of the advantages of these channels. As a result, they have a logo that can be scaled across multiple platforms.
The logo is eternal
The Dallas Cowboys logo does not feature fads or trendy graphical elements. Instead, the club is represented by a single star. When designing the emblem, the designer focused on the brand's core ideas and values, which is why the brand has been dominant for almost six decades.
Which artist designed the Dallas Cowboys logo?
The Cowboys' logo, the navy blue star, was designed by Jack Eskridge. Jack was a former professional basketball player who played for the Chicago Stags and the Indianapolis Jets. Tom Landry hired him in 1959 as the club's equipment manager. He had been a member of the club for 13 years.
Is the Cowboys logo trademarked?
The Dallas Cowboys have registered several trademarks, including their famous blue and white star logo. On 30 May 2006, attorney Bonnie Jarrett registered the Cowboys' visual identity. The Dallas Cowboys Football Club, LTD, owns the logo.
What is the meaning of Cowboys?
The club's original name was Dallas Steers, but it was later renamed the Dallas Rangers. In 1960, the franchise's owners adopted the Cowboys name to distinguish the team from the Dallas Rangers of the American Association.
What does the Cowboys logo look like?
The Dallas Cowboys logo is in the shape of a star. It is a five-pointed star that sparkles in navy blue and white. The iconic symbol is a nod to Texas' nickname, The Lone Star State.
Why are the Dallas Cowboys always dressed in white?
The Dallas Cowboys' official colors are blue and white (or silver). In 1960, Tex Schramm, then president of the club, decided that white would be the official uniform for home games. The aim was to make the Dallas Cowboys stand out from visiting teams.
In 1968, the team lost to the Browns in the playoffs and to the Colts in Super Bowl V. Unfortunately, these two historic defeats occurred while wearing the blue jersey. Believing the blue uniform to be a curse, the fans preferred the white uniform over the blue one.
However, this sentiment has shifted since the iconic blue has led to results.
What colors does the Dallas Cowboys logo have?
The Dallas Cowboys play in two distinct colors: blue and white. Most people associate blue with either navy or royal, and some people mistake white for silver.
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