Kimou Meyer: The artist behind Inter Miami’s visual identity

“It was almost surreal! It’s always been my dream to design a logo for a professional football club. And that dream came true when I was approached by one of the most famous footballers of all time. But I also knew it would be a big task, a real challenge,” begins Kimou Meyer.

What were the main challenges?

“We weren’t just catering to David Beckham’s vision but also to the other investors. Alongside him were four individuals, all billionaires with very different backgrounds. We had no idea if we could get them all on the same page and convince them. Another equally significant challenge was creating a logo and identity that truly represented Miami and its people. The residents needed to see themselves and their city in the logo to build loyalty to the club. This psychological element is critical to consider seriously.”

How does the colour pink, a standout feature of the logo, meet these expectations?

“Miami is a multicultural metropolis, shaped largely by immigrants, especially from the Caribbean, Central, and South America. Vibrant colours and pastel tones are part of the city’s cultural heritage, as seen in its many Art Deco buildings. Pink also plays a key role in Miami’s natural environment—its sunsets, flora, and flamingos. Pink is almost everywhere. When we studied the existing logos of MLS clubs and analysed their colour schemes, we found red, blue, and green but no pink. This only strengthened our conviction to use it, especially since pink symbolises openness and transparency.”

Pink is a bold choice in the football world.

“Juventus and Manchester United have already proven that pink can be both commercially and athletically successful as a kit colour. As a fashion colour, pink is unbeatable. In today’s era of gender fluidity, it’s no longer solely associated with femininity. Plus, with David Beckham, we not only have a globally famous footballer but also a style icon. Pink was the only logical choice.”

What about the other symbols, such as the cranes in the logo?

“You’ve touched on an important detail: we didn’t use flamingos but two great white herons. This bird species is native only to South Florida and the Keys. Like Miami’s founders, the great white heron migrated here and became part of the region’s natural heritage. It’s the perfect symbol for Inter Miami CF, resonating with the local community, future fans, and the players themselves. The bird is agile, fast, and focused—traits that align with the spirit of the club.”

What do the sun and stars represent?

“The sun and stars reflect Miami’s 24/7 energy and are a tribute to its residents, who work tirelessly to make it one of the country’s most vibrant, inclusive, and liveable cities. The five sun rays represent the club’s five owners. The intertwined legs of the herons form an ‘M’, symbolising unity, solidarity, and, of course, Miami itself. The Roman numeral MMXX below stands for 2020—the year the club debuted.”

How do you balance such rich inspiration with keeping the design compact?

“That’s the art of compression. A good designer must visually distil the message to its essence while still creating something artistically distinctive. Despite its complexity, the logo must remain striking and iconic—a bit edgy but easily digestible. It should also be unifying, like football itself. A club’s identity must overcome social and cultural barriers, build bridges, and remain recognisable.”

How much artistic freedom did you have?

“I didn’t see the references and guidelines as constraints but rather as motivators to be more creative, innovative, and resourceful. Of course, a logo also needs to succeed commercially. As an art director, you sometimes have to make compromises. Having years of experience designing logos for apparel, I knew what to consider for shirt designs. A player is always moving—kicking, sprinting, stopping abruptly. The logo needs to remain visible and recognisable, which works best with clarity and minimalism. It also has to stand out against the green pitch without clashing.”

Want to learn more about the fascinating story behind Inter Miami CF? Check out the documentary Inside Inter Miami!