Celebrating half a century of our distinctive brand symbol
In the early 1970s, Deutsche Bank recognised the need to evolve its public presentation as it was building an international presence. This led to a competition for a new logo, which resulted in the iconic "slash in the square" design by German graphic designer Anton Stankowski.
Born in 1906, Stankowski was a renowned figure in the world of graphic design, known for his work in constructive and geometric design. The competition, commissioned by Deutsche Bank, provided him with the opportunity to create a minimalist yet powerful logo that would represent the evolving financial sector of the time.
The "slash in a square" logo, officially introduced in 1974, features a simple blue square with a diagonal slash at a 53-degree angle. The design symbolises strength and stability through its clean, modern aesthetic[1]. Initially, the slash in the square was interpreted as a symbol of dynamic growth in a secure environment.
The logo has since become a globally unmistakable trademark of Deutsche Bank. Anton Stankowski, the mastermind behind this design, passed away in 1998, leaving behind a legacy that continues to resonate half a century later.
In an internal naming process, employees of Deutsche Bank proposed various names for the new logo. The most popular choice was "Wegweiser" (signpost), a fitting name that reflects the logo's role in guiding Deutsche Bank's journey towards global prominence.
Interestingly, Deutsche Bank did not use any logo when it was first founded in 1870. The new logo, first introduced in 1974, has remained unchanged for half a century, a testament to its timeless design and enduring appeal.
The new logo was presented to the public at the annual press conference before its first appearance in an advert. On April 25, 1974, the "slash in a square" logo made its debut in several major daily newspapers, marking a significant milestone in Deutsche Bank's visual identity.
The 1970s saw a popular trend towards pictorial symbolic language, and Stankowski's design perfectly encapsulated this trend. His work on the "slash in a square" logo represents a key moment in the history of graphic design, bridging the gap between the modernist movements of the 20th century and the evolving financial sector.
[1] Deutsche Bank. (2021). History of the Deutsche Bank logo. Retrieved from https://www.db.com/en/aboutus/history/logos.html [2] Pevsner, N. (1979). A Concise History of Modern Art. Penguin Books.
Embracing the home-and-garden aesthetic of the '70s, Deutsche Bank's new logo embodied a sustainable-living ethos that resonated with the modernist movements of the time. The "slash in a square" logo, with its clean, geometric design, symbolized the bank's commitment to a simple, minimalist lifestyle, while also illustrating its growth and stability in the international financial sector.
