Pokemon Logo Origins: Designer Chris Maple Reveals Early Designs and Nintendo Collaboration

Nearly three decades after the Pokemon franchise made its groundbreaking debut in Western markets, the creator of the iconic Pokemon logo, Chris Maple, has publicly shared a rare look at the original design process.

This revelation, first reported by IGN, offers new insight into how Nintendo and Media Design collaborated to craft one of gaming's most recognizable logos. In the mid-90s, Chris Maple, through his studio Media Design, received an unexpected call from the office of Nintendo of America’s then-president Minoru Arakawa.

He was summoned to discuss involvement in a new game project, which was already a sensation in Japan under the title 'Pocket Monsters,' but was being localized as 'Pokemon' for international audiences. During the initial meeting at Nintendo of America, Maple was briefed on the upcoming release.

Given the switch from 'Pocket Monsters' to 'Pokemon,' there was a clear need for a fresh logo suitable for Western markets.

Nintendo provided little creative direction or reference material—apart from a handful of promotional papers and a Pikachu figurine—leaving Maple with considerable creative freedom.

He was tasked with delivering a logo within a month to meet the critical deadline for its unveiling at E3 1998, one of the year’s most important gaming industry events.

Moreover, Maple had to ensure the logo was clear and vibrant whether displayed on the Nintendo Game Boy’s color or monochrome screens, a significant technical challenge at the time. After developing several concepts, Maple returned to Nintendo to present his work.

Among the proposed designs, his favored version drew the approval of then-executive vice president of operations, Don James, who selected it for the brand’s Western debut. Reflecting on why his logo was chosen, Maple explained to IGN that the design radiated energy and encapsulated the story and brand potential that Nintendo envisioned for Pokemon.

He noted, "There’s a story in everything—the story, the brand story, what it possibly could turn into." Following the initial approval, Maple was again contacted by Nintendo with a request for minor tweaks—specifically to the interior shapes of the letters "P" and "E".

Such refinements are common in the design world, Maple told IGN.

The final adjustments led to the version of the Pokemon logo that would become a fixture across millions of games, merchandise, and pop culture references worldwide. Since its debut, the Pokemon franchise has become one of the best-selling and most beloved video game properties, launching on the original Game Boy and continuing across multiple Nintendo hardware platforms—including the Nintendo Switch and digital eShop expansions.

The franchise’s global success owes much to not only its engaging gameplay and memorable creatures, but also to its enduring visual identity, anchored by Maple’s iconic logo design.

Pokémon Nintendo Pokemon Chris Maple Media Design Nintendo of America Minoru Arakawa Don James Game Boy E3 1998 IGN