How did Twitter’s famous bird come about?

Twitter’s famous bird logo, known as Larry the Bird, has become an iconic symbol of the social media platform. The story behind the creation of this beloved mascot is an interesting one.

The origins of Larry the Bird can be traced back to the early days of Twitter. In 2006, Twitter was a small startup with a handful of employees. The company was looking for a logo that would represent its brand and capture its essence. The task of creating this logo was given to a designer named Simon Oxley.

Oxley, a British artist living in Japan at the time, was known for his unique and distinctive style. He was tasked with creating a logo that would be simple, recognizable, and convey the idea of “tweeting” or sharing short messages. Oxley drew inspiration from various sources, including the shape of a bird and the simplicity of Japanese art.

After several iterations, Oxley came up with a design that would eventually become the Twitter bird. The bird was a simple, stylized representation of a small bluebird. It had a rounded body, a tuft of feathers on its head, and a beak pointing upwards. The bird was depicted in a way that suggested movement and chirping, capturing the essence of Twitter’s fast-paced and dynamic nature.

The bird was initially named “Larry” after basketball player Larry Bird, who played for the Boston Celtics. The name was chosen as a nod to the bird’s blue color, which resembled the team’s colors. However, the name Larry didn’t stick, and the bird eventually became known simply as the Twitter bird.

When Twitter launched in July 2006, the bird logo was prominently displayed on the website and in marketing materials. It quickly became associated with the brand and was recognized by users around the world. The bird’s simplicity and versatility made it easy to incorporate into various designs and formats, further solidifying its status as the face of Twitter.

Over the years, the Twitter bird has undergone a few minor changes. In 2009, the bird was given a slight makeover, with a more streamlined and simplified design. The tuft of feathers on its head was removed, and the beak was made slightly shorter. These changes were made to make the bird more versatile and easier to reproduce in different sizes and formats.

In 2012, Twitter introduced a new version of the bird logo, known as the “Twitter Bird Refresh.” This version featured a more upright posture and a sleeker, more modern design. The bird’s wings were angled upwards, suggesting upward movement and growth. This redesign was aimed at reflecting Twitter’s evolution as a platform and its commitment to innovation.

Despite these changes, the Twitter bird has remained true to its original concept and design. It continues to be a recognizable symbol of Twitter and is widely used in various contexts, from the platform’s mobile app icon to its official branding.

In conclusion, the creation of Twitter’s famous bird logo, Larry the Bird, was the result of a collaboration between designer Simon Oxley and the Twitter team. Oxley’s unique style and inspiration from birds and Japanese art led to the creation of a simple, recognizable, and dynamic logo that captured the essence of Twitter. Over the years, the bird has undergone minor changes, but its core design and symbolism have remained intact. Today, Larry the Bird is an iconic symbol of Twitter and represents the platform’s fast-paced and dynamic nature.