A Century of Surrealism: How Famous Surrealists Would Reimagine Today’s Logos

Surrealism has always intrigued me, especially when I think about how it developed in Europe after the devastation of World War I and the 1918 flu pandemic — two global events that, in many ways, parallel the challenges we’re facing today. Back then, artists and thinkers were searching for new ways to make sense of a world that had been turned upside down, much like we are now.

Surrealism has captivated my imagination for as long as I can remember. I’ve always been fascinated by the way it challenges us to question reality, embrace the dreamlike, and explore the subconscious. As a designer, I constantly think about how surrealist principles could reshape modern branding. Logos, after all, are meant to be instantly recognizable symbols — but what if they also encouraged deeper reflection, curiosity, and even confusion?

In this extended exploration, I’ll dive deeper into how iconic surrealist artists like Salvador Dalí, René Magritte, Max Ernst, and others might reinterpret today’s brand logos. I’ll also look at how surrealism has already influenced design, and how this century-old movement could inspire an entirely new approach to logo creation. By the end of this journey, I hope you’ll not only see logos differently but also appreciate the power of surrealism in reshaping our visual world.