POKÉMON — From Sketch to Global Symbol: Pokémon Logo
In February 1998, I embarked on a project that would become a memorable milestone in my career: creating the Pokémon logo. Over the course of four months, I developed two final designs that were ultimately approved by Nintendo—one released in 1998 and another in 1999.
At the time, I had been hired by Mr. Minoru Arakawa, the CEO of Nintendo of America, to design a logo for their new Pokémon game, which was set to launch on the Game Boy in its Yellow and Blue versions. The task was both exciting and challenging. One of the biggest hurdles was creating a logo versatile enough to work across a wide variety of media, especially within the limited 8-bit graphical constraints of the Game Boy. The logo needed to resonate with the emerging Pokémon market and adapt seamlessly for use in print materials, Game Boy packaging, trading cards, and TV advertising.
The second version, released in 1999, remains remarkably in use to this day. The typography, meticulously crafted by hand, and the signature blue and yellow color scheme became defining elements that contributed to its enduring success.
I am proud to have played a role in the history of such an iconic brand and to have worked alongside Gail Tilden, Don James, and Vance Barr, who were instrumental in developing the brand for Nintendo.
Today, I continue my work as a designer, illustrator, and art director in Tacoma, Washington, where I pursue my passions for creating art, teaching, and exploring the outdoors. Contributing to Pokémon’s legacy remains one of the highlights of my career.
