Cartoon Network Studios, located in Burbank, California, is one of the most iconic animation studios in the United States. It is primarily responsible for creating numerous programs and animated shorts for the Cartoon Network cable television channel. Since its inception, Cartoon Network Studios has undergone several changes, refining its visual identity over the years while maintaining its core brand elements.

Evolution of the Cartoon Network Studios Logo

Cartoon Network Studios' logo has gone through numerous updates, with each version reflecting the studio's changing identity and the evolution of its content. Despite the many modifications, the logo has consistently retained key design elements that connect it to its early roots.

1994 – 1996: The Original Design

The initial version of the Cartoon Network Studios logo featured a simple, black-and-white grid with seven rows and two columns, each housing one of the letters in the company’s name. This logo used the Eagle Bold font and was often seen in the studio’s early productions, in line with the original Cartoon Network branding. The design, created by the agency Corey McPherson Nash, established a strong geometric and minimalistic visual.

1996 – 1997: The Addition of "Studios"

In 1996, the word “Studios” was added beneath the original logo. This new design was placed on a white background, but the different font used for "Studios" made it appear somewhat disconnected from the original design. The black-and-white grid also became bolder, lending the logo a more defined presence. This version was notably used during the "What a Cartoon!" shorts.

1997: Full Integration of "Studios"

By 1997, the word "Studios" was integrated into the grid itself, which gave the logo a more cohesive and balanced look. This version of the logo appeared in later episodes of Dexter’s Laboratory, but it was short-lived and was eventually replaced by a new iteration.

2000 – 2001: Introduction of New Design Elements

In the early 2000s, the studio introduced a new logo design that included a stylized depiction of its headquarters. The checkered wordmark from the earlier versions was slightly updated and placed below this new design element. This version was used in various promotional materials during this period.

2001 – 2009: More Emphasis on "Studios"

The logo from 2001 featured the word "Studios" in larger, more prominent lettering, giving it a stronger presence than the "Cartoon Network" part of the logo. The overall style remained similar to previous iterations, but with a few modifications, including more noticeable white highlights along the borders of the checkered rectangles.

2001 – 2012: Hand-Drawn Aesthetic

During this period, Cartoon Network Studios introduced a version of the logo where some of the black squares and letters had a slightly erased look. This effect gave the logo a hand-drawn appearance, evoking a sense of creativity and artistic freedom, which was in line with the studio’s animation-centric mission.

2003 – 2005, 2007 – 2008, 2010, 2014: Blurred "Studios"

The company experimented with a version where the word "Studios" appeared blurred. This logo was used intermittently throughout various years and provided a more playful and stylized look, often associated with particular programming like Adult Swim.

2006: Cleaner Minimalism

In 2006, the logo was streamlined for a more modern and minimalist look. The checkered wordmark was removed, replaced by bold sans-serif lettering (similar to Impact), and the design became more simplified. This version was featured in several Adult Swim projects, including the pilot-short Korgoth of Barbaria.

2010 – 2015: Complete Overhaul

In 2010, Cartoon Network Studios undertook another full redesign. The logo once again returned to the checkered theme, but with updated graphics and a more refined, contemporary feel. The new design was part of a broader brand overhaul for Cartoon Network during this time.

2013 – Present: The Return of the Historic Logo

In 2013, Cartoon Network Studios brought back its iconic logo, though with a few tweaks to give it a more refined and "serious" look. The updated design preserved the original checkered grid and lettering but introduced cleaner lines and a more polished aesthetic.

2022 – Today: The Current Logo

The 2022 redesign of the Cartoon Network Studios logo merges elements from both the 2001 and 2013 logos. This updated version features two levels of black and white lettering with squares behind the characters. The overall look is set on a plain black rectangular banner, and the word "Studios" is emphasized in an extra-bold sans-serif typeface. The thick, straight lines give the logo a strong, modern feel while maintaining its classic identity.

Cartoon Network Studios has a rich history of evolving logos, each version reflecting the studio's creative journey and its role as a leader in animation. From its minimalist black-and-white grid to the playful and refined logos of the 2000s and beyond, the studio's visual identity has consistently balanced modern design with the whimsical, creative spirit of its animated content.