Designer Manabu Sakamoto has shared early drafts he created before the original PlayStation console launched in 1994, revealing the creative process behind gaming’s most recognizable logo with different “P” and “S” layouts and color combinations.
The sketches show approximately 20 different iterations tested before the final design was chosen. Sakamoto conceptualized the logo around intertwining the base P and S letters, wanting each design to convey a sense of depth representing the console’s groundbreaking 3D capabilities.
The finished mark arrived in 1994 with the red “P” sitting over a layered yellow, blue, and green “S.” Manabu Sakamoto stated his goal was to suggest 3D depth in a simple, flat logo, symbolizing unity and convergence in gaming through the interlocked initials.
The early drafts reveal various experimental approaches, with some featuring jarring color schemes and different letter positioning before settling on the dynamic, vibrant design. The PlayStation logo has evolved since then, but some form of Sakamoto’s original design remains featured on accessories released globally, cementing its status as one of gaming’s most iconic symbols.
