Qantas Logo Evolution: Before-and-After Evaluation
A practical assessment of Qantas logo vector artwork, comparing the original winged kangaroo with the 2007 redesign and explaining what the changes mean for editable logo files.
Contents
Direct answer: which artwork is under discussion
The essential subject is the Qantas logo, specifically the change from the 1984 'winged kangaroo' mark designed by Tony Lunn to the 2007 'New Roo' redesign by Houston Group. The most commonly circulated vector files represent the 2007 version: a simplified, more angular kangaroo silhouette with a reduced wing, paired with a cleaner wordmark. When readers ask about 'Qantas logo evolution,' the practical vector question is usually whether an EPS, AI or SVG file contains true editable paths for the current mark, and how the 2007 redraw affects that artwork.
What the before-and-after comparison shows
The 1984 mark is a detailed, stylised kangaroo in side profile with a visible wing, a curved tail and shaded areas suggesting volume. The 2007 mark removes much of that detail. The body becomes a bolder, flatter silhouette; the wing is reduced to a geometric accent near the shoulder; the legs and tail are drawn with sharper, simpler curves. From a vector construction standpoint, the later mark is easier to reproduce at small sizes and across digital surfaces, because it uses fewer anchor points and less fine internal detail.
This is a visual interpretation based on the published difference between the two marks. Documented design intent consistently describes the 2007 update as an attempt to modernise the identity for application on digital screens and aircraft livery, while retaining the kangaroo as the central symbol. The wordmark also shifted: the letters became more compact and the spacing tighter, which affects how the text portion behaves when a logo file is scaled.
Practical implications for vector logo files
Do not assume that a file labelled 'Qantas logo vector' contains editable artwork. A raster preview embedded inside an EPS or AI file is not the same as actual vector paths, and a PDF can include a flattened or outlined logo that is not practically editable. The relevant distinction is between the mathematical curves that define the kangaroo and wordmark, and a bitmap image merely wrapped in a vector container.
The 2007 redraw is also relevant to file preparation. Because the newer mark is flatter and more geometric, it is generally simpler to convert to a clean single-colour version, a reversed version, or a true outline. The older 1984 mark requires more work to achieve the same result, and low-quality conversions often break the wing or tail details. If a supplied vector file preserves those finer elements correctly, it is likely produced from a higher-quality master.
Usage limits that vector format does not solve
Having a downloadable vector file does not grant permission to modify or reuse the Qantas artwork in a commercial or public context. The vector paths define the shape, but the company name, kangaroo symbol and overall identity are protected by trademark. The file format proves only that the artwork has been saved in a scalable form; it does not prove that the person supplying the file has authority to license it.
The same caution applies to fonts. If the Qantas wordmark appears as editable text, the typeface may be a custom or proprietary font. Converting the logo to outlines removes the font dependency and makes the file easier to share, but it does not change the underlying permissions. For practical evaluation, a true before-and-after vector assessment should confirm whether the kangaroo mark is an embedded raster, whether the wordmark is outlined, and whether the version matches the 2007 redraw or an earlier or later variation.