Back in 2011, Snapchat started its journey as "Picabo," the brainchild of Evan Spiegel, Bobby Murphy, and Reggie Brown. The app's first logo? A cheerful ghost set against a vivid yellow backdrop. It was playful, a bit naughty, and fit perfectly with Snapchat's original vibe of quick, disappearing photos.
2012 brought a new name - Snapchat - and a new look for the logo. The friendly ghost stayed, but it got a more understated makeover. The yellow background shifted to a softer hue, reflecting the app's growing appeal and its aim to reach more people.
2013 was a bit of a hiccup. Snapchat found itself in a legal tangle with Ghostface Chillah over logo similarities. To resolve this, Snapchat tweaked its logo, adding a bolder outline and slightly altering the ghost's face.
Snapchat's rise continued, and so did its logo's evolution. The ghost was simplified to a basic white outline on a striking yellow background. This minimalist approach was in line with Snapchat's goal of making communication straightforward and fun.
Fast forward to 2019, and the logo got a 3D touch-up. The ghost gained depth and shading, adding a modern twist that kept up with the ever-changing social media landscape.
Today's Snapchat logo keeps the 3D ghost but tweaks it to be bolder and more eye-catching. The familiar yellow is still there, making the logo pop on your phone screen. It's become a symbol synonymous with fun, fleeting conversations.