Uno is a shedding-type card game that uses a printed deck, falling under the category of Crazy Eights-type card games. The game was invented in 1971 by Merle Robbins from Reading, Ohio, who initially played it with his family and friends. The game became so popular that Robbins created 5,000 copies and began selling them from his barbershop. Eventually, he sold the rights to the game to a group of friends, and in 1992, Mattel, the toy manufacturing company, acquired the brand.

Uno Logo History

The Uno logo has undergone multiple iterations since its inception, with key changes reflecting evolving trends in design.

• 1971 – 1992: The original Uno logo was minimalistic and monochromatic, with bold uppercase lettering in black against a white background. The letters were red with white shades, set on a black background, creating a simple yet recognizable design.
• 1992 – 1997: In 1992, the logo was updated with a new color palette. The wordmark was set diagonally over a solid red background, with the lettering in gradient yellow with a purple shadow. This logo had a glossy, vibrant look that remained in use for five years.
• 1997 – 2010: When Mattel acquired Uno, they refined the logo with a slightly bolder sans-serif font and introduced a red background in the shape of an ellipse. The letters were white and light yellow, enhanced by a gradient effect that gave a 3D appearance.
• 2010 – 2016: The logo was simplified to match contemporary design trends. The yellow color was replaced by a gold shade, making the letters look metallic with a gradient that added depth. The red oval background was also used in some versions.
• 2016 – Today: The logo returned to its roots, with a red oval around the wordmark. The gold color was replaced by a flat yellow, with black sides and white trim around the letters, giving a clean and modern appearance.
• 2020: In 2020, Uno introduced a new logo design that featured diagonally-oriented yellow sans-serif lettering against a black background, enclosed in a red oval. This version was short-lived and did not resonate with the playful vibe the brand typically evokes.

Color Palette

Red has been a constant in the Uno logo throughout its history, with yellow making appearances since 1992. In the 2010 version, the red background became more subtle, and the yellow transitioned to gold.

Font

The logo's sans-serif typeface ensures high legibility, with the letters appearing bolder and more dimensional in recent versions compared to the original lighter design.