What is a logo?
A logo (abbreviation of logotype,
from Greek: λογος
romanized: logos, lit. 'word'
and Greek: τυπος,
romanized: typos, lit. 'imprint')
is a graphic mark, emblem, or
symbol used to aid and promote
public identification and recognition.
It may be of an abstract or figurative
design or include the text of
the name it represents as in a
wordmark.
In the days of hot metal typesetting,
a logotype was one word cast as
a single piece of type (e.g. "The"
in ATF Garamond), as opposed to
a ligature, which is two or more
letters joined, but not forming
a word. By extension, the term
was also used for a uniquely set
and arranged typeface or colophon.
At the level of mass communication
and in common usage, a company's
logo is today often synonymous
with its trademark or brand.*
