Vans is a popular producer of shoes based in America that was founded in March 16, 1966 by Paul Van Doren. The company started at a small scale with a single shoe store in Anaheim, California, but over the years it has expanded its business to several distinct ranges of unique footwear. These include BMX shoes, snowboarding boots, skateboarding and other shoe types, catering mainly to the skateboarder/surfer/snowboarder youth market. Besides shoes, they also offer clothes and accessories for the same youth market.
During the 1980’s, the company became known for creating shoes for a number of sports from baseball, basketball and wrestling to skydiving in an effort to compete with large athletic shoe companies. Although its core shoes were selling well, the vast range of products that the company now offered had drained the companies’ resources, and as a result Vans was unable to overcome its debt and filed for bankruptcy in 1983.
After 3 years the company successfully emerged from bankruptcy; however its original owner sold out the business in 1988. The company has been sold many times since then. The recent owners are Greensboro, N.C.-based VF Corp who bought the company in 2004.
Vans produces shoes that have a very casual style. Some of the top-picks at Van shoes include: “Authentic’ Core Classics”, ‘Chukka Low’, “Classic Slip-ons” and “Mesa” After-Surf Shoes. These shoes appeal to the masses and have brought the brand immense success.
DESIGN ELEMENTS OF THE VANS LOGO:
The Vans logo serves as a strong base for the company’s business as it is instantly recognized and evokes feelings of trustworthiness and reliability.
Shape of the Vans logo:
The Vans logo features the brands name with the “V” taking a distinct shape. The right side of the “V” is extended eastwards giving shelter to the remaining letters in the logo.
Color of the Vans logo:
The black in the logo signifies the brand’s elegance and sophistication.
Font of the Vans logo:
The font of Vans logo is overly simple, and to some degree, generic.
Thanks for this great information about this brand. I had no idea that Vans was sold so many times. I agree that the logo is a little generic. I do know that it is instantly recognizable though. Just like a BMW logo, it is easy to recognize and identify with. Companies have to make their logo fancy, but not too fancy, so that people remember it easily.