BP Logo Redesign: Comparing the New and Previous Designs

Direct answer to the BP logo question

The current BP logo, often searched as the new BP logo, is the helios mark introduced in 2000. The previous design, used for decades before that, is a shield containing the letters BP in a slab-serif style with a yellow and green color scheme. The redesign replaced a contained, badge-like emblem with an open, flower-like symbol based on a sun or helios motif, paired with a lowercase wordmark in a custom sans-serif typeface. The helios mark is the primary visual identifier in the current identity; the old shield is the immediate predecessor most people mean when comparing the new and previous designs.

Meaningful differences between the designs

The most visible difference is the container. The previous shield is a closed, symmetrical form with clear edges, while the new helios mark is an open radial pattern with no outer boundary. The old design places the initials BP inside the shield, making the letters part of the emblem. The new design separates the mark and the wordmark, so the symbol can appear alone or with the company name below it in lowercase text.

Geometry and structure

The previous shield is built from simple geometric shapes: a rounded top, straight sides and a pointed base. It reads as a solid, stable object even at small sizes. The helios mark is made of individual petal-like rays arranged in concentric layers around an invisible center. Each ray tapers toward the outside, creating a sense of rotation and energy. This geometry is more complex than the shield and relies on consistent spacing between the rays to hold its shape.

Typography

The old logo uses bold, slab-serif capital letters with strong vertical strokes. The letterforms are designed to fill the upper part of the shield and feel industrial. The current wordmark uses a custom lowercase sans-serif with rounded terminals and open letter spacing. The wordmark is quieter than the shield lettering and is meant to sit under or beside the helios symbol rather than dominate it.

Color system

The previous palette centered on a yellow shield with a green border and black lettering, with white used for contrast in some applications. The current identity uses a spectrum of yellow, green and light blue across the helios rays, plus a darker green for the wordmark. The new palette is intended to suggest heat, light and nature. The old palette is simpler, with two dominant hues that separate cleanly in print.

Scalability and small-size behavior

The old shield holds up well at small sizes because its outer shape remains readable even when the letters blur or shrink. The helios mark can lose definition at very small sizes, especially the inner rays, which may merge visually. For favicon or app-icon use, the current mark often needs a simplified or larger minimum size, while the shield could be reduced further without losing its basic silhouette.

Asset editability and practical tradeoffs

In vector terms, the old shield is easier to reproduce accurately because it uses a limited set of closed paths and flat fills. The helios mark requires more paths, gradient or multi-tone handling, and careful preservation of ray spacing. If you need a logo that can be redrawn quickly or simplified for a single-color stamp, the previous shield is more forgiving. If you need a contemporary, expressive brand mark for large-format or digital display, the helios mark offers more flexibility and visual interest. The recommendation depends on use: choose the old design for maximum legibility and technical simplicity; choose the new design for brand continuity and modern visual identity.

This comparison is based on observable design features. No performance tests for the logos were supplied, so statements about scalability are qualitative judgments from their geometry, not measured results. Ownership and permission to use either logo are separate from the availability of vector files and are not covered by the design comparison itself.