Brands occupy every corner of our lives, and affect almost every decision we make each day. Why do we choose one brand of soda over another? Why does owning one particular make of car give us a sense of pleasure or pride, while owning another satisfies less? Take a look at how Apple brand evolves over the years.

Branding is every bit as important to small business as it is to big companies. Every business has a brand. The question is whether the makeup of the brand is created intentionally or accidentally. There is little doubt in my mind that businesses that find themselves in possession of what some would call a strong brand are far more likely to achieve great things than those that simply go out there and compete.

Logo Life (BIS Publishers), a new book by Ron van der Vlugt, compiles the stories behind 100 famous logos, from Apple and Adidas to Nike and Volkswagen, providing graphic histories of some of the world’s most influential companies.