The Mastercard logo is memorable and vibrant, symbolizing progressiveness and unity. The present logo is the result of seven redesigns as the company underwent various growth stages. In this article, we will delve into the Mastercard logo history, explore the different logos, discuss what we like about them, and highlight key takeaways for brand designers.
But before we start, let’s talk about Mastercard, the brand.
Table of contents
What Is MasterCard?
Mastercard is a global payment solution that allows seamless cashless payments online. The company dates back to the 1940s when it offered a special paper that could be used as currency in local stores in the United States.
The downside would be that only designated merchants accepted this form of payment.
This practice continued for over a decade before a group of banks agreed to implement cashless payments officially. Multiple stakeholders would oversee the operations of this new service, leading to the birth of the Interbank Card Association (ICA) in 1966.
When thinking about the Mastercard logo evolution, we must tell the story of Interbank.
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MasterCard Logo History
The Interbank Logo (1966-1968)
When Interbank was founded in 1966, it came with a simple logo focusing on typography. It was characterized by a simple and bold “i” with the inscription “Interbank” below it.
We feel the designer was looking for a memorable design reflecting the brand identity. The “i” was in white bold font on a black background. In addition, the designers felt the need to include the inscription “INTERBANK” for easy identification.
It is a common trick for newly adopted logos to include the brand name. This makes it easier for consumers to relate the logo to the brand in the long run.
This logo remained for two years until 1968 when the company rebranded to “Master Charge.”
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Rebranding To Master Charge (1968-1979)
By 1968, Interbank had become a chartered payment solution. Like many brands, such significant growth prompted the company to rebrand. This time, it was a dramatic overhaul, introducing the famous red and orange Mastercard interlocking circles.
However, the company did not drop the original Interbank logo. It was a smart decision to keep it at the bottom right corner of the new logo during the transition. After all, you do not want to confuse users by using a completely new design.
The second Mastercard symbol brought more color and typography to the brand design. The inscription “Master Charge” cut across the interlocking circles, and the letters were in white, bold Sans Serif font.
Below the “master charge” inscription were “The Interbank Card” writings in upper case. Both inscription levels were in bold white San Serif font. By the mid-70s, Mastercard had expanded to other continents, including Africa and Australia.
The “Master Charge” logo lasted 11 years, emphasizing brand consistency as the company progressed.
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Dropping The InterBank Logo (1979-1990)
By now, Mastercard was focusing on the international market. Once again, the company rebranded from Master Charge to MasterCard International.
The 1979 Master Card logo was designed by Don Ervin of Siege & Gale design company.
The red and orange interlocking circles remained unchanged, this time with the inscription “Master Card” cut across the center. The designer used ITC Avant Garde bold white font.
The company continued to expand operations in Asia and Latin America throughout the ‘80s. In 1987, MasterCard became the first payment card in the People’s Republic of China. The following year, it continued its expansion throughout the Soviet Union.
You have to admire Mastercard’s consistency with different memorable logos throughout its evolution. In the Mastercard logo history, the 1979 design remained for another eleven years until it was rebranded in 1990.
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Improved Typography & Color Pallete (1990-1996)
In 1990, Mastercard became a global payment solution, and the company rebranded once again. It hired Lister Butler Design Agency to redesign the logo and modernize it with brighter colors and better typography.
The designer made the interlocking circles pop by making the red bolder and the orange circle yellow.
The yellow circle came with stripes across the intersection with the red circle. Additionally, the 1990 Master Card Logo saw the end of the bold font as the designer italicized.
This Mastercard emblem had a simpler, memorable, and minimalistic design. It is considered to be the most iconic Mastercard logo. It was also used in a 1999 Mastercard commercial.
This logo would remain unchanged until 1996 when Mastercard reviewed its logo.
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More On Aesthetics (The 1996 MasterCard Logo)
In 1996, Mastercard redesigned its logo, focusing on the visuals. A notable change was the reduced stripes at the midsection of the red and yellow circles.
The designers also improved the typography, giving the “MasterCard” inscription a drop shadow. This clever trick made the white font pop from the colorful background. The letters were also slightly larger than the 1990 logo.
Mastercard did not change its logo until 2016, 20 years later.
Fun Fact: In 2006, Mastercard released a corporate edition. The designers added an extra circle, above the 1996 logo. Additionally, the inscription changed to “ MasterCard Worldwide” in a black font set in two levels.
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The 2016 MasterCard Logo (2016-2019)
Like most brands in the 2010s, Mastercard bowed to the pressure of minimalism. It rebranded to portray its commitment, “readiness, and optimism” about the future.
The designers removed the stripes from the 1996 logo and left the two interlocking circles.
It is also notable that the company dropped the uppercase “C” in the inscription to “Mastercard.” The inscription assumed a black San Serifs font, lying below the interlocking circles.
Additionally, the midsection of the interlocking circles was now orange, resulting from a blend of red and yellow. This logo was used across all Mastercard mediums until 2019 when the inscription was removed completely.
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Mastercard Official Logo (2019-Present)
In January 2019, Mastercard dropped the inscription to embrace a simple and symbolic logo. The red and yellow circles symbolize the unity and connection that Mastercard creates.
You can pay or get paid for anything you want from anywhere in the world through Mastercard.
The 2019 Mastercard logo, designed by the Pentagram Design Company, remains active to date and is used across all media channels.
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What We Love About The MasterCard Logo History & Evolution
In a 2019 Forbes article, Mastercard claimed that 80% of its consumers could recognize the brand only through the logo. We attribute this to the bold red and yellow colors that make it memorable.
Additionally, we appreciate how the company has remained consistent with its brand identity throughout the history of Mastercard logo redesigns. The decision to drop the brand name in the current logo showcases the brand’s confidence and strong connection with its consumers.
However, this can be a risky step for smaller brands that have yet to build brand authority. On its website, Pentagram Design states that “the identity brings simplicity and clarity with an increased emphasis on the interlocking circles and is optimized for use in digital contexts, an increasingly important part of Mastercard’s business.”
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