The news: Mastercard rolled out the AI Card Design Studio, which lets consumers and small businesses at participating banks personalize the front of their card, including with AI-generated images and designs.

The value proposition: Looks matter for credit cards. Customers are more likely to pick up cards that drive a specific type of emotional reaction by their visual story. 

Blue cards emit a sense of trustworthiness and calm. Minimalistic designs tap into sleek chic trends popular with Gen Zers. Gold and black cards typically signal prestige. Businesses can engineer psychological reactions in their cardholders through thoughtful design choices—while also letting customers overlay a layer of uniqueness through the AI studio.

Personalization trends: While Mastercard is the first network to offer AI design tools, other payment players have jumped in the personalization arena.

• Cash App launched design-your-own debit cards for teens.
• Venmo started letting Big 12 alumni pick cards with their school’s emblem on the card for its Venmo Debit Mastercard.

Personalization is especially compelling to Gen Z cardholders, who expect custom products that reflect their values or personal aesthetic. 

Our take: Mastercard offering a free, AI-based design feature lets businesses and customers maximize their design flexibility and the emotional impact of their products. (Remember customized checks with family photos?) 

With visual cues having the power to drive consumer behavior, what likely was a low-cost investment for Mastercard could reap dividends down the line in consumer loyalty.

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