MasterCard Logo
MasterCard Incorporated is a leading American financial services corporation. Originally established in 1966 as “Interbank/Master Charge”, the company is headquartered in New York. With total assets of US$ 12.462 billion as of 2012, the company more than 7,000 people across the world.
MasterCard is widely regarded as one of the world’s most popular and widely respected credit and debit card brands.
DESIGN ELEMENTS, HISTORY AND EVOLUTION OF MASTERCARD LOGO
Shape of the MasterCard Logo
The MasterCard logo is widely regarded as one of the world’s most memorable and widely-recognized logos. The story behind its creation is equally compelling and interesting.
A group of 17 bankers laid down an organization in 1966, largely for purpose of the reciprocal acceptance of their credit cards. It was named “Interbank” and the firm’s first corporate logo was introduced in 1966. It comprised of a distinctive “i” that personified the participating members of Interbank Card Association.
The earliest version of the MasterCard (then known as “Master Charge”) logo was unveiled in 1969. It consisted of two simple intersecting circles and featured the tagline “We Honor the Interbank Card”. The name change happened a decade later in 1979.
The company changed its logo yet again in 1990. The new logo incorporated brighter colors and some 23 horizontal bars between the two intersecting circles. In 1996, a more modernistic and elegant typeface was introduced and the number of bars was also reduced. These changed notably made the MasterCard logo appear more powerful and visually appealing.
The company introduced a “failed” redesign in 1996 that consisted of blurred circles with “pesky” gradients, much to the criticism of both the press and the brand-loyal customers. The controversial logo, however, only affected some of the corporate branding and went largely unnoticed and unappreciated.
The 1996 version of the MasterCard logo still remains the main corporate identity that is being used on the credit and debit cards.
Colors of the MasterCard Logo
The use of red color in the MasterCard logo embodies passion, courage and joy, whereas the yellow color stands for optimism, richness and prosperity.
Font of the MasterCard Logo
The MasterCard logo features a uses a slight modification of the Frutiger Bold Italic typeface.
