Who designed the multicolored Google logo introduced in 1999?

Ruth Kedar designed the multicolored Google logo introduced in 1999.

Kedar, a graphic designer and Stanford University lecturer, developed the logo while working with Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin. Her design used a simple wordmark with primary colors, plus a green letter l to create an intentional break from a strict color pattern.

The logo evolved from earlier versions used during Google’s startup years. Before Kedar’s final design, Google used several informal wordmarks, including one created with the graphics program GIMP. The familiar logo became an important part of Google’s visual identity as the search engine expanded.

People sometimes confuse Kedar with the creators of other famous technology logos. Susan Kare designed many early Apple interface icons, while Rob Janoff designed Apple’s bitten-apple logo. Google’s later logo redesigns changed the typeface and simplified the styling, but Kedar is associated with the landmark 1999 design.