The former consists of three main components arranged vertically. At the top sits an abstract symbol composed of two blue geometric shapes that loosely form a stylized letter ‘P’. A solid, slightly angled vertical bar forms the stem, while a triangular shape with a curved hypotenuse points to the right, forming the bowl of the ‘P’. Below this symbol is the company name “PerkinElmer,” presented in a sans-serif font. The “Perkin” portion is rendered in dark grey or black, and the “Elmer” portion is in a lighter grey. At the bottom, the tagline “For the Better” is displayed in the same blue color as the symbol, using an italicized serif font. The overall impression is professional, scientific, and corporate, blending modern design elements with traditional typography.
PerkinElmer, Inc. was a global corporation focused on the life sciences, diagnostics, environmental, and applied markets. It was founded in 1937 by Richard S. Perkin and Charles W. Elmer as an optical design and consulting company. Over decades, it grew into a major provider of scientific instruments, reagents, software, and services.
Current Status (Post-2023): The original PerkinElmer entity underwent a major split. The scientific instruments and enterprise solutions part is now Revvity. The life sciences and diagnostics part also adopted the Revvity name. The PerkinElmer brand, as represented by this logo, is effectively retired from primary corporate use.
Historically, PerkinElmer provided solutions aiding scientists, researchers, and clinicians. Their activities spanned several areas:
- Diagnostics:Developing instruments, reagents, and software for newborn screening, infectious disease testing, and other clinical diagnostics.
- Life Sciences:Providing instruments (like imaging systems, microplate readers), reagents, and informatics solutions for research in areas like genomics, proteomics, and drug discovery.
- Applied Markets:Offering analytical instruments (e.g., spectroscopy, chromatography) and services for environmental monitoring (water, air quality), food safety testing, and industrial applications.
- Informatics:Providing software solutions for data analysis, visualization, and management in scientific environments.
History of Logo Creation
This specific version of the PerkinElmer logo appears to have been introduced or solidified around 2009-2010 during a period when the company was refining its brand identity and market positioning, particularly emphasizing its mission through the “For the Better” tagline. The design aimed to modernize the company’s image, reflecting its technological advancements and broad scope while retaining a sense of scientific authority and heritage (honoring the founders’ names).
Crucially, the history of this logo concluded in 2023 when the company split and both resulting entities rebranded under the new name Revvity, retiring the PerkinElmer name and this associated logo from primary corporate identity use.
Logo Evolution
PerkinElmer’s logo evolved significantly over its long history:
- Early Logos:Likely featured more traditional wordmarks, possibly incorporating elements related to optics, reflecting its origins.
- Mid-to-Late 20th Century:Logos evolved with design trends, often using bolder typefaces prevalent in corporate branding of the eras.
- Circa 2009/2010 – 2023 (The Described Logo):This iteration represented a significant modernization. Key changes included the introduction of the abstract ‘P’ symbol, the two-tone wordmark treatment, and the prominent “For the Better” tagline, aiming for a more dynamic and mission-driven identity.
- Post-May 2023:The PerkinElmer brand and this logo were retired. The successor company, Revvity, introduced its own distinct logo and visual identity, marking the end of the PerkinElmer logo’s evolution line.
Design and Logo Elements
The design carefully balances modernity, professionalism, and a nod to heritage.
Color
- Blue:A medium, corporate blue is used for the symbol and the tagline. Blue is commonly associated with trust, stability, technology, intelligence, and reliability – all key attributes for a scientific company.
- Dark Grey/Black (“Perkin”):Conveys professionalism, strength, and seriousness.
- Light Grey (“Elmer”):Provides contrast within the wordmark, adds a touch of modernity and balance, and visually separates the two founding names.
- White (Implied):Often used as the background, providing clarity and contrast.
Font
- Wordmark (“PerkinElmer”):Uses a clean, modern sans-serif typeface. The characters are well-spaced and legible, projecting efficiency and clarity suitable for a tech/science company. The use of two tones adds a unique visual element.
- Tagline (“For the Better”):Employs an italicized serif typeface. The serifs add a touch of tradition, elegance, and humanism, while the italics suggest forward movement and aspiration. This contrasts intentionally with the sans-serif wordmark, giving the tagline prominence and a slightly different emotional tone.
Symbol
- Abstract ‘P’:The primary icon is a stylized representation of the letter ‘P’, directly linking to the “Perkin” part of the name.
- Composition:Formed by a solid vertical stem and a dynamic, forward-pointing triangular/curved shape.
- Meaning & Interpretation:
- Progress & Innovation:The rightward-pointing element suggests forward movement, direction, and technological advancement.
- Precision & Focus:The clean geometric shapes can imply scientific precision.
- Integration:The two parts forming the ‘P’ could symbolize the integration of different technologies or business areas.
- Brand Initial:Clearly anchors the symbol to the company name.
Stories
While official narratives are limited, some points and interpretations regarding this historical logo include:
- Honoring the Founders:The distinct coloring of “Perkin” and “Elmer” within the wordmark was a clear visual homage to the company’s founders, Richard Perkin and Charles Elmer, embedding the company’s heritage directly into the logo.
- Mission Statement Integration:The tagline “For the Better” wasn’t just tacked on; its integration in the core logo lockup (using the signature blue color and prominent placement) strongly emphasized the company’s stated mission to improve health, safety, and the environment through its scientific endeavors.
- Balance of Styles:The logo successfully combined a modern, abstract symbol and sans-serif font with a more traditional serif tagline, reflecting a company with a long history that was continually innovating.
- The End of an Era:The most significant “story” related to this logo now is its retirement in 2023. The strategic decision to split the company and rebrand entirely as Revvity marked the definitive end of the PerkinElmer visual identity, driven by a desire to create a new brand focused purely on life sciences and diagnostics with a name suggesting “revolutionizing vitality.”
