Behold the genesis of Aphex Twin’s iconic logo straight from the original designer’s 1991 sketchbook

A few weeks ago we celebrated the 25th anniversary of Selected Ambient Works 85-92, the groundbreaking Aphex Twin debut record often credited with the invention of IDM.

We weren’t the only ones celebrating. Paul Nicholson aka Number 3, who originally designed the Aphex Twin logo which ran on the cover of SAW 85-92, has been releasing scans from his notebook from the time of the record’s release. The sketches reveal the beginnings of what became a symbol forever associated with the music of Aphex Twin.

How did the Aphex Twin logo come to be? The original designer has revealed sketches detailing the thought process behind the simple yet iconic symbol.

Here are some of the designs Nicholson originally posted two weeks ago:

NUMBER 3 presents APHEX TWIN LOGOTYPE CONSTRUCTION It is exactly 25 years since the release of Selected Ambient Works – February 12th 1992. The lettering that reads Aphex Twin, the logotype, was drawn by hand using circle templates and rulers in late 1991. With there being many incorrect versions of this lettering floating about, I thought it about time to release the definitive logo construction. Enjoy. Designed by Paul Nicholson, 1991. Number 3 – www.number3.co #Aphex #AphexTwin #SelectedAmbientWorks #R&S #Logo #LogoDesign #Logotype #Branding #GraphicArt #GraphicDesign #CreativeConsultant #Number3 #3 #III

A post shared by Paul Nicholson (@number3__) on Feb 17, 2017 at 2:58am PST

NUMBER 3 presents APHEX TWIN LOGO CONSTRUCTION It is exactly 25 years since the release of Selected Ambient Works – February 12th 1992. The original Aphex Twin logo was drawn by hand using circle templates and rulers in late 1991. With there being many incorrect versions of this logo floating about, I thought it about time to release the definitive logo construction. Enjoy. Designed by Paul Nicholson, 1991. Number 3 – www.number3.co #Aphex #AphexTwin #SelectedAmbientWorks #R&S #Logo #LogoDesign #GraphicArt #GraphicDesign #CreativeConsultant #Number3 #3 #III

A post shared by Paul Nicholson (@number3__) on Feb 15, 2017 at 3:10am PST

While these were obviously taken from when the design was being finalised, the more recent posts from Nicholson show some actual sketchbook scans from what was a more proto-logo:

APHEX-SKHEX – Preliminary and Developmental Sketches for the APHEX TWIN Logo. All sketches have been taken from my workbook and span November 1991 to October 1993. I will be posting further scans, including the thought process behind the sleeve artwork to Selected Ambient Works Vol 2… Keep it locked. Everything presented here has never been published before and unseen since worked on with Richard. A continuance of the 25th Anniversary of the release of Selected Ambient Works 85-92. #Aphex #AphexTwin #AphexLogo #Sketches #Sketchbook #Drawings #SelectedAmbientWorks #R&S #Warp #WarpRecords #Logo #LogoDesign #Logotype #GraphicArt #GraphicDesign #Number3 #3 #III

A post shared by Paul Nicholson (@number3__) on Mar 6, 2017 at 2:06am PST

A-SKHEX – Preliminary and Developmental Sketches for the APHEX TWIN Logo. The cover to my ideas workbook – 1991 to 1993. And, we are the dreamers of the dreams. #Aphex #AphexTwin #AphexLogo #Sketches #Sketchbook #Drawings #SelectedAmbientWorks #R&S #Warp #WarpRecords #Logo #LogoDesign #Logotype #GraphicArt #GraphicDesign #Number3 #3 #III

A post shared by Paul Nicholson (@number3__) on Mar 3, 2017 at 4:32am PST

Find more Aphex-related designs on Number 3’s Instagram.

Read our feature: What was the crown jewel of Aphex Twin’s Selected Ambient Works 85-92?