The Iconic CN Logo

Allan Fleming (1929–1977), a Canadian graphic designer, created the iconic Canadian National Railway (CN) logo in 1960. Sketched on a napkin, the minimalist design merged “C” and “N” into a flowing line symbolizing motion, replacing an outdated maple-leaf logo. Bilingual and versatile, it suited CN’s rail and non-rail ventures. Hailed as modernist brilliance, the logo has endured over 60 years. Fleming also redesigned Maclean’s and logos for Ontario Hydro and others, shaping Canadian design.