MOTHER (Package and Logo design)
Date
Credits
- Shigesato Itoi (糸井重里) Game Designer
- Masaharu Takata (高田正治) Designer
Format
- Packaging 463
- Video Game 112
Clients
Typefaces
Locations Made
- Japan 689
MOTHER, a role-playing game for the Famicom released in 1989, was the first installment in a series for which Shigesato Itoi 糸井重里 handled supervision, planning, and the entire script. The game’s packaging and logo were designed by Masaharu Takata 高田正治.
Rather than depicting the game’s content directly, the design features only the golden "MOTHER" logo with a simple red background, creating a powerful impression of the title itself. By transforming the letter "O" into an image of the Earth, Masaharu mentioned that the design evokes key themes such as "mother" and "mothership." The design is intended to make people feel curious even in those unfamiliar with the game, prompting them to pick it up based solely on the packaging (「ジャケ買い」or "buy it for the cover" as we do in records/CDs, borrowing the words from Masaharu's interview.)
The typeface used in MOTHER logo is based on a standard font called "Bank Gothic," which appeared in a type specimen book called Monsen (MONSEN TYPOGRAPHIC STANDARDS BOOK). According to Masaharu, the original font was horizontally condensed, therefore he adjusted the stroke weight and proportions, and refined the overall balance.
For more detailed intentions and episodes could be able to read from below's interview article in Japanese: https://www.1101.com/n/s/mother_project/takata_masaharu/index.html
