Google at 27: The Untold Story of Ruth Kedar, the Woman Behind the Iconic Logo

Published: 27 September 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

As the world celebrates Google’s 27th birthday, millions of users once again turn their gaze to the most familiar yet often overlooked symbol of the internet age—the Google logo. Simple, colorful, and instantly recognizable, the logo has become one of the most powerful pieces of visual branding in history. Yet few people know the story of the woman who designed it—Ruth Kedar, a Brazilian-born architect-turned-designer, whose vision shaped not only Google’s image but also how billions interact with technology daily.

Ruth Kedar’s journey to becoming the designer of the Google logo is as remarkable as the success of the search engine itself. Born in Brazil, she began her professional life as an architect. For five years, she worked in the field, only to discover that her curiosity and passion for creativity extended beyond the structures she was designing. Determined to expand her horizons, she moved to the United States, where her academic and artistic journey would lead her to Stanford University, an institution destined to become central to her story.

At Stanford, Kedar pursued an interdisciplinary Master’s program in Design. Her thesis project was both imaginative and unconventional: the design of playing cards. This academic exploration into visual communication and symbolism soon caught the attention of Adobe Systems, one of the most influential design software companies in the world. Adobe commissioned her to help create the Adobe Deck, a promotional set of playing cards designed to showcase the potential of Adobe Illustrator. Her work on this project did not just demonstrate her artistic talent; it also highlighted her unique ability to balance simplicity with depth, a skill that would later define her most famous work.

Recognizing her creativity and vision, Adobe offered Kedar the position of Art Director. She accepted and honed her craft in the fast-paced world of digital design. But academia also called her back, and Stanford invited her to return as a Visiting Art Professor. It was during this period that two ambitious PhD students approached her with a request that would change the trajectory of her career and play a pivotal role in shaping modern digital culture.

Those two students were Larry Page and Sergey Brin, the co-founders of Google. In the late 1990s, the duo were working on a search engine project that was rapidly gaining traction but still lacked a clear visual identity. They wanted a logo—something simple yet memorable, something that would stand out but not overwhelm. They turned to Kedar, whose reputation for thoughtful, symbolic design made her the ideal candidate for the task.

Kedar accepted the challenge and immersed herself in the project. Her design process revolved around a deep understanding of what Google represented: access to information, a sense of discovery, and an infinite potential for growth. She drew inspiration from the building blocks of childhood—primary colors. These colors, often found in toys, were not only visually appealing but also psychologically resonant, evoking curiosity and playfulness. At the same time, they held a deeper symbolic meaning. As Kedar herself later explained, “Primary colours, the basis from which infinite colours are created, is also analogous to search.”

The logo she designed struck the perfect balance between playfulness and professionalism. The use of the color sequence was deliberate: while the letters followed a pattern of primary colors, one letter broke the sequence with a secondary color, signaling Google’s willingness to challenge conventions and think differently. This subtle disruption became a visual metaphor for innovation, a theme that would define Google’s corporate philosophy in the years to come.

The impact of Kedar’s design was immediate and lasting. It became the foundation of Google’s brand identity, remaining largely intact even as the company grew into one of the largest and most influential technology giants in the world. Every redesign of the Google logo since then has retained the core principles she introduced—simplicity, primary colors, and a spirit of creativity.

Beyond the static logo, her design also inspired one of Google’s most beloved traditions: the Google Doodle. What began as a playful variation of the logo to mark holidays or special events evolved into a global cultural phenomenon. Today, Google Doodles celebrate everything from scientific achievements to social milestones, and they continue to engage millions of users worldwide. The seed for this idea, however, lay in the adaptability and openness of the original design, created by Ruth Kedar.

Kedar’s story is not merely about the creation of a logo but about the intersection of art, technology, and culture. At a time when the internet was still in its infancy, she recognized the need for a design that was timeless, universal, and approachable. In doing so, she helped shape the identity of a company that would come to define the digital age. Her journey also reflects the story of countless immigrants who brought their skills, creativity, and vision to the United States, contributing immeasurably to innovation and progress.

As Google marks its 27th year, it is fitting that the world not only celebrates the achievements of the company but also acknowledges the creative mind behind its most enduring symbol. The logo designed by Ruth Kedar continues to connect billions of people across languages, borders, and cultures. In its simplicity lies its power, and in its colors lies the spirit of endless possibility.

Today, when we type a query into the search bar and glance at those six familiar letters, few pause to consider the artistry and thought behind them. Yet without Ruth Kedar’s vision, Google’s identity might have looked very different, and the story of the internet age might not carry the same vibrant, playful face we now take for granted. Her work is a reminder that behind every iconic symbol is a human story—of creativity, migration, opportunity, and the quiet determination to leave a mark on the world.