Nike’s New Logo: Evaluating Changes Against the Previous Design

Before you start

You need two logo images: the new version and the previous version you want to compare. Keep them in the highest resolution you have, preferably as PNG or SVG files. The comparison is a visual task done on your device. You are not sending the files to a server, so you can use a simple image viewer, a browser, or the Logo Lab tools without an account.

Do not assume that every updated logo has changed shape, color, or wordmark. Some updates are only refinements to spacing, stroke weight, or export files. Start with the versions you can actually see, and only compare details that are visible in both files.

Step-by-step instructions

First, place both versions side by side at the same display size. Look for changes in three areas: the symbol or mark, the wordmark, and the surrounding lockup. A lockup is the fixed spatial arrangement of the symbol and wordmark.

Second, check the outline of the mark. Zoom in enough to see whether the swoosh or equivalent shape has changed at the tip, the curve, or the end cut. Look for smoother curves, a thicker or thinner stroke, a different taper, or a redrawn intersection.

Third, compare the wordmark. The new version may change letter spacing, case, weight, or the relationship between the wordmark and the symbol. Some logos remove the wordmark for certain uses without changing the main mark.

Fourth, compare color. Open the image in a tool that can sample a pixel or show a hex value. Check whether the black, white, or accent color has shifted. A new logo may keep the same geometry but move to a different palette for digital screens, packaging, or apparel.

Finally, treat different image files as different presentations, not necessarily different logos. A PNG on a white background and an SVG with transparent background show the same mark in different conditions. Compare like with like: transparent against transparent, or solid background against solid background.

Check the output

You have a useful comparison if you can name the main change or confirm that the main mark was kept. For each visible difference, ask whether the change is actual geometry, color, typography, or just a lower-resolution preview. Do not describe a detail as changed if it is only blurred or pixelated in one file.

For a logo, quality checks are visual: the edge should be clean at the size you plan to use, the contrast should be readable, and the file should open without missing parts. If a downloaded preview is small, resize it to a larger canvas only to inspect it; do not treat an upscaled image as proof of the original vector quality.

Common problems and next steps

A common problem is comparing a current web icon with an old full lockup. The cleanest fix is to collect the same type of file for both versions. If you cannot find an official vector file, say so instead of guessing that the outline has changed.

Another common issue is color sampling from a compressed image. A single pixel can be affected by antialiasing, a white edge, or compression. Sample a larger area or use the most common color in a clean region. If the exact hex value matters, look for a lossless source.

If the new logo is available only as a small preview, prepare a mockup with the Logo Lab tools to test the visual result at the intended size. This does not confirm official geometry or colors, but it helps you check readability and placement. For a final judgment, use the actual logo files from the brand owner.