The Washington Huskies, the athletic teams representing the University of Washington, have undergone a significant number of logo redesigns over the years, with the majority of their logos featuring husky imagery. However, their current emblem has removed the animalistic symbolism, signaling a shift in the team's visual identity.

Logo Evolution

The Washington Huskies’ logo history spans a series of transformations, reflecting the team's growth and changing identity.

1. 1919 – 1932: The earliest logo was completely unrelated to the husky dog and instead featured an elegant, childlike figure of a man holding an umbrella, executed in a purple and white color palette.
2. 1932 – 1936: The first husky appeared in the team's logo in 1932. This detailed, realistic depiction of a husky dog looking slightly to the right was rendered in blue and white, giving the logo a pen-drawn aesthetic.
3. 1936 – 1937: In 1936, the logo was simplified to a black-line version of the husky on a white background, but this design was used for just one year.
4. 1953 – 1958: The husky was replaced by a bold letter “W” in a custom serif typeface. The “W” was tender purple, placed on a white background for a striking contrast. This marked the beginning of a more focused and professional look for the team.
5. 1959 – 1971: The husky made a return, now wearing a jersey with the letter “W” on it. The logo featured a smiling, furry face with a solid purple jersey, evoking a more playful and approachable image.
6. 1971 – 1974: The husky's direction was adjusted to look left, maintaining the color palette of purple and white, which imparted a sense of calm and stability to the design.
7. 1974 – 1979: The “W” was reintroduced in a new style, now rendered in yellow with a white and purple outline. The bars of the letter “W” were elongated and thinner, creating a more open and airy feel.
8. 1979 – 1983: A more modern interpretation of the husky head was introduced, paired with a yellow “W” outlined in white and purple. The “W” had a serif typeface, with straight lines and square edges, reflecting a bold and stylish approach.
9. 1983 – 1995: The Huskies’ logo became more straightforward, with a blue and white color palette. The enlarged “W” was set in a double white and blue outline, and the word “Huskies” was added in a bold, sans-serif font, giving the emblem a clean and confident appearance.
10. 1995 – 2001: The color scheme was refined, keeping purple and yellow for the “W” but adjusting the husky’s color to a monochrome tone. The husky was also turned more to the left, adopting a graceful and noble stance.
11. 2001 – 2016: The logo became more minimalist, with the “W” rendered in a strict geometric style, its outline simplified to a thin double frame of yellow and white. This design marked a departure from the more intricate and playful logos of the past.
12. 2016 – Present: The current Washington Huskies logo eliminates the husky dog image entirely, opting instead for a streamlined and modern approach. The "W" is bold and clean, emphasizing simplicity and strength. The design reflects the team's commitment to tradition and progress.

Color Palette

The team's colors have been consistent, with purple and gold being their signature hues.

• Purple (Pantone PMS 2685 C): #4B2E83
• Gold (Pantone PMS 7502 C): #B7A57A
• Metallic Gold (Pantone PMS 871 C): #85754D

The shift away from the husky dog imagery to a more minimalistic, geometric “W” symbolizes the Washington Huskies’ modernized identity while still honoring its legacy. The logo's evolution reflects the team’s growing influence, the changing trends in visual design, and its broadening scope in the collegiate sports world.