Mastercard developed a system of core design ingredients that, when put together, reflect the brand personality attributes in ways that are built for purpose. They built a parametric system out of the simple principles (simplicity, clarity and balance) already present inside the brand’s iconic logo. The system is flexible enough to communicate appropriately to every audience and in every context. Ultimately, the design system expresses the human centered, forward-thinking technology company that Mastercard is today.

The new Mastercard logo was simplified to modernize its signature interlocking circles and to separate the placement of text so that the circle symbol could live more independently in the future.

Using the circles, Mastercard built a series of configurations that could be infinitely expendable and permeate the whole system. The circles play into the idea of connections and partnerships, and are intended to be instantaneously recognized as Mastercard.

Mastercard built a color palette with the intent to make it feel light, modern, and warm. The typography was another continuation of the circular form, designed to make communications more focused and less complicated.

The design system also includes iconography, illustration and animation, bringing cohesion to every type of communication.

The collaboration of these design ingredients create a harmonized look and feel across everything Mastercard does – from sales presentations and marketing communications to digital experiences and events – across

The global rollout of Mastercard’s new brand design signaled Mastercard’s readiness for a digital-first world and positioned it as a modern, human-centric technology company that is advancing a world beyond cash. This is the first time Mastercard has systematically implemented a new design system at a global scale.

Press coverage was positive, no easy feat in the recent history of logo launches. In 2016, Mastercard rose to the top 20 of BrandZ’s Top 100 Most Powerful brands and were listed in Forbes’ “The World’s Most Innovative Companies”