So it was true … the Windows logo has been redesigned! The re-imagination of Windows 8 is now complete! Nothing has been left unexplored, including the Windows logo!
Microsoft today announced that the old familiar and popular Windows flag logo would be dropped in favor of a new re-imagined logo, in Windows 8.
The Windows logo is a strong and widely recognized mark but when we stepped back and analyzed it, we realized an evolution of our logo would better reflect our Metro style design principles and we also felt there was an opportunity to reconnect with some of the powerful characteristics of previous incarnations, said Microsoft.
With Windows 8, Microsoft approached the logo redesign with a few key goals on mind.
- They wanted the new logo to be both modern and classic by echoing the International Typographic Style (or Swiss design) that has been a great influence on our Metro style design philosophy. Using bold flat colors and clean lines and shapes, the new logo has the characteristics of way-finding design systems seen in airports and subways.
- It was important that the new logo carried Microsoft’s Metro principle of being “Authentically Digital”.
- And the final goal for the new logo was to be humble, yet confident…welcoming the Windows user with a slight tilt in perspective.
The logo has been designed by a US agency, Pentagram, who were apparently confused as to why it was called Windows when the earlier logo was a flag! And so they came up with this new concept of Windows having a logo which looks more like a windows, than a flag! For the font, Microsoft is using the International Typographic Style that has been influencing the Metro design philosophy.
And the end-result? Here it is! The new Windows 8 logo!
Microsoft has in all its wisdom decided to drop one of the most recognised symbols for a new identity. You can read more about the rationale behind the new logo design here.
So, what do you think of this decision? And do you like the new logo?
