Great Clips, one of North America’s most recognized hair salon franchises, operates over 4,400 locations across the U.S. and Canada (as of 2021). Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this chain provides accessible, affordable haircare services, catering to busy lifestyles with evening and weekend availability.

A Look into the Logo’s Meaning and Evolution

Great Clips’ logo history demonstrates a consistent commitment to clarity and professionalism. Its straightforward design mirrors the brand's focus on delivering convenient, no-frills haircuts while emphasizing a polished, reliable image.

What is Great Clips?
Established in 1982, Great Clips began with a single salon near the University of Minnesota. Over the decades, it has expanded into a trusted brand for quick, quality haircuts, now serving millions across North America.

1982 – 2005: The Original Identity
The first Great Clips logo, created when the franchise was still called Super Clips, was a minimalist design featuring a straightforward sans-serif typeface in purple.

• Font Style: The simple, uniform strokes of the typeface reflected the brand’s utilitarian approach to haircare—affordable, efficient, and no-nonsense.
• Color Choice: The purple hue subtly suggested creativity, style, and individuality, aligning with the beauty industry’s aesthetic values.
• Brand Message: This design perfectly encapsulated Great Clips’ early mission—offering fast, low-cost haircuts for those with busy schedules.

2005 – Present: A Modern Redesign
In 2005, Great Clips introduced an updated logo, enhancing the original design with more sophistication and versatility.

• Typography:
  • The sans-serif wordmark remains, but the letters are sleeker, with subtle variations in stroke thickness.
  • Unique proportions, particularly in the “G” and “C,” make the logo distinctive while maintaining readability.
  • This shift from a standard typeface to a customized one reflects a more refined and professional image.
• Functionality: The new design avoids reliance on a single color, making it adaptable across various media and backgrounds.
• Improved Elegance: While the previous logo relied on color to convey elegance, the redesign achieves this through typography, showcasing the brand’s maturity and attention to detail.

Colors and Fonts

• Font Inspiration: The 2005 logo's font resembles the Gill Sans family by Eric Gill, customized for Great Clips with flatter proportions. The tagline uses a simpler typeface similar to Basic Commercial Roman by Linotype.
• Color Variations: Alongside the classic black-and-white scheme, Great Clips incorporates a white logo on a unique green background, adding freshness and vibrancy to its visual identity.

Great Clips’ branding evolution highlights its dedication to delivering accessible, stylish, and reliable haircare services while maintaining a logo design that communicates trust, professionalism, and adaptability.