Casio Computer Co., Ltd. (カシオ計算機) is a Japanese multinational electronics manufacturer known for calculators, watches, and digital instruments. The company’s visual identity consists of two distinct elements: a corporate emblem featuring four interlocking Ks, and the familiar blue “CASIO” wordmark used across its products.
Design and History
Casio’s company emblem incorporates a design that combines four Ks, the first letter in “Kashio,” to highlight the CASIO trademark. It symbolizes the strong unity between the four Kashio brothers that allowed them to expand their business. Toshio Kashio, who invented the Casio calculator, based the design on his feelings at the time of the company’s founding.[1]
The reason “K” was not used in “CASIO” was the brothers’ desire to expand into international markets. They believed people would immediately associate this label with the CASSIOPEIA constellation, which was fitting for a cutting-edge machine like their calculator.[1]
The company was founded as Kashio Seisakujo in Mitaka, Tokyo in April 1946, and Casio Computer Co., Ltd. was established in June 1957 following the completion of the 14-A, the world’s first compact all-electric calculator.[2]
The familiar blue CASIO wordmark that is recognized worldwide today was adopted by the brand in the early 1970s and has remained unchanged for over 40 years. It was the company’s second logo, following an earlier mark executed in a dark gray and white palette with bold lettering on a dark carbon background.[3]
Meaning and Symbolism
Casio’s corporate color, known as “Casio Blue,” expresses the company’s corporate philosophy and culture of “creativity and contribution” in opening up the future.[4]
The four-K emblem continues to serve as the company’s official corporate symbol, representing the four Kashio brothers’ strong commitment to their calculator business.[5]
Typography and Design
The CASIO wordmark uses a square sans-serif typeface similar to Eurostile Bold Extended, though the letter “a” differs slightly, more closely resembling the “a” from the Microgramma typeface. This suggests the wordmark lettering may actually be based on Microgramma rather than Eurostile.[3]
On the Casio F-91W digital watch, the Casio logo is set in Eurostile Extended Regular and Medium, demonstrating the typeface’s long association with the brand’s product design.[6]
Logo Index is an independent educational archive covering logos, visual identities and graphic design history. All trademarks and brand assets remain the property of their respective owners.
