Kartografie PRAHA, a.s., is a Czech map and atlas publisher whose roots go back to the Kartografický a reprodukční ústav v Praze, established in 1954. The company introduced a redesigned logo in spring 2020, prepared by Jakub Novák of the agency Mevia.cz. The redesign was described by the publisher as connecting a new, modern visual style with an older logo that references the company’s long history. [1] [2]
Design and History
The 2020 update was characterized by design commentary as more of a facelift than a completely new logo. The globe symbol and the color scheme were retained, while the main change was a switch from a serif typeface to a modern sans-serif. The previous mark was described by the same commentary as somewhat archaic, belonging more to the era of compasses and protractors. [2]
According to the design agency’s explanation, the company had previously used its logo in two different variants. The goal of the redesign was to unify these into a coherent system with multiple versions, including an icon, a short form, and a long form. The logo was designed in two main versions: one with the full company name, Kartografie PRAHA, a.s., and a shortened single-word variant for general use and marketing. [2]
Meaning and Symbolism
The globe symbol, which was preserved from the earlier logo, is the central graphic element of the identity. The agency’s explanation notes that an angle of 23 degrees appears in the logo at several places, representing the tilt of the Earth’s axis. This angle also informs other graphic elements of the visual style. [2]
Typography and Design
The primary color of the logo is dark blue. For the corporate typeface, Red Hat Display was chosen for main headings in two basic cuts, while Nunito Sans was selected for general use. [2]
Logo Index is an independent educational archive covering logos, visual identities and graphic design history. All trademarks and brand assets remain the property of their respective owners.
