Bulgarian logo archive

ABVA is a digital archive of the Bulgarian visual arts.

A self-funded project, the team behind ABVA “documents, stores, studies, and popularises examples of different visual arts from Bulgaria.” The collection of Bulgarian logos was particularly interesting, with some lovely examples of clean, minimal, distinctive symbols.

“We want to describe that elusive daily aesthetic presence in the life of previous generations. Often ignored, forgotten, or mostly unknown, it is to a great degree an example of the culture of a nation.”

Favourites from the collection are this design for Zagore Vermicelli & Pasta Factory, by Lyuben Orozov in 1958.

Zagore Vermicelli & Pasta Factory, 1958

And this for the Bulgarian Air Transport Ground Service, by Anton Mechkuev in 1968.

Bulgarian Air Transport Ground Service, 1968

The featured logos date from the 1920s to 1970s, by designers such as Dimitar Petev, Kancho Kanev, Vasil Dokev, Lyuben Orozov, and Yanko Krastev. Other Bulgarian designers include Vasil Petleshkov, known for his modernist approach to design, Nikola Petrov, known for his iconic logos and posters, many of which have become symbols of Bulgarian cultural heritage, and Svilen Petrov, known for his use of bold colours, simple shapes, and cultural references.

As well as logos, the ABVA collection includes examples of vintage Bulgarian typography, postcards, maps, brochures, vinyl covers, flyers, drawings, book covers, and more. Definitely worth a look. https://archive.abva.bg/en

Via LogoArchive.

For more classic Bulgarian logos, here’s the previously featured Stefan Kanchev (1915–2001), who, in 1971, was honoured by the Bulgarian state with the title of “national artist.”

February 8, 2023