Pega, the enterprise software brand of Pegasystems Inc., uses a logo built around the Pegasus symbol paired with the PEGA wordmark. The company’s founder, Alan Trefler, chose the name Pegasystems in 1983, drawn to Pegasus in part because the winged horse is also a chess piece, a nod to his background as a chess player. He also appreciated the mythological story of Pegasus, which he connected to the company’s founding narrative.[1]
Design and History
Pega’s official trademark guidelines describe the logo as comprising the Pegasus symbol used in connection with the PEGA wordmark, available in both vertical and horizontal configurations.[2] The guidelines also prohibit modifying the logo or the likeness of the Pegasus, indicating the symbol remains a central, protected element of the brand identity.[2]
In 2021, Pega published a behind-the-scenes account of its brand evolution. A senior graphic designer at the company noted that when they arrived in 2014, Pega “didn’t have much of a brand identity,” only a logo and inconsistent templated collateral.[3] The same article states that the brand’s visual system was, until the prior year, anchored by four colors and a set of four geometric shapes, which were described as rigid.[3]
An award submission for a MUSE award, credited to Pegasystems, describes a project titled “Transforming a 37-year old tech brand.” It notes that while Pega’s technology was redefining the industry, its brand had a reputation for being “corporate, outdated, and stodgy.”[4] The submission states the result kept “the original logo and type” while evolving the system to be more modern and customizable, using one typeface (Open Sans), four shapes (circle, square, diamond, triangle), and four colors (teal, navy, and two others).[4] This indicates that the core logo mark itself was retained during this brand refresh, even as the broader visual system around it was overhauled.
Meaning and Symbolism
The Pegasus symbol carries documented meaning tied to the company’s founding. Trefler explained that he liked the name Pegasystems for two reasons: it contained a horse, which allowed a chess piece (the knight) to be “a critical part of the logo,” and he was drawn to the Pegasus myth itself.[1] He recounted that Pegasus sprang from the blood of Medusa after she was slain by Perseus, a story he connected to his own decision to leave a company he felt had “sold out” its staff.[1]
Typography and Design
According to the MUSE award submission, the brand system introduced during the 37-year rebrand used Open Sans as its typeface.[4] The same source confirms that the original logo and type were kept intact during this evolution, meaning the wordmark’s typography predates the refresh.[4] The visual system also incorporated four geometric shapes (circle, square, diamond, triangle) and a four-color palette including teal and navy.[4]
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