Who created the McDonald's Golden Arches “M” logo by joining two arches together?

Jim Schindler created the McDonald’s Golden Arches “M” logo by joining two arches together.

Schindler’s work converted the separate architectural arches into a single graphic emblem. This change allowed McDonald’s to reproduce the symbol consistently across signs, packaging, advertisements, and other brand materials as the company expanded.

The visual mark drew on the buildings designed by Stanley Meston, so the two names are connected but refer to different contributions. Meston designed the early physical arches, while Schindler developed the combined logo form that resembled an “M.”

The logo’s success came partly from its simplicity. It could be recognized at a distance, reproduced in a single strong color, and used without a detailed illustration. That flexibility helped the Golden Arches become a global corporate symbol rather than merely a feature of mid-century restaurant architecture.