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Microsoft reimagined logo for Windows 8 is official
Microsoft has revealed a redesigned logo for Windows 8 in a recent post on the company’s official Windows team blog. Redmond’s new operating system logo borrows heavily from the original Windows logo that was introduced alongside Windows 1.0 in 1985. Earlier this week we had pointed out the Windows logo was getting a Metro makeover, but the software giant just made it official today.
Sam Moreau, Principal Director of User Experience for Windows, notes that in addition to a complete reimagination of the Windows operating system, the team wanted to revise the existing Windows OS logo. Microsoft hired renowned design firm Pentagram to help with the project and it was during an early meeting with the firm that executives were presented with a very basic question.
Paula Scher from Pentagram asked the team, “your name is Windows. Why are you a flag?”
Moreau feels that users can trace the evolution of the Windows logo in parallel with advancements in computer technology used to create them. Windows logo rendering became more detailed with each major release. As such, the current generation eventually morphed into a flying or waving flag rather than the window it originally started life as.
With Windows 8, the company wanted to go back to the basics to better reflect the Metro style design principles. The new logo is indeed more window-like than flag-like, using simple lines and a straightforward concept that Microsoft describes as being “Authentically Digital.” The design itself is based on the International Typographic Style, also called the Swiss Style, which was developed in the ‘50s to emphasize cleanliness, objectivity and readability.
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User Comments (50)
Post a comment|
Artix
on February 17, 2012 4:35 PM |
Don't like it. Windows98 was decent, XP not bad and Windows 7 (W7 Proffesional) was the best imho.... This one just does not look right :S |
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Guest
on February 17, 2012 4:39 PM |
This logo needs to change color and rotate itself 90 degrees; still looks like a flag. Look at the 89 logo. |
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SNGX1275
on February 17, 2012 4:44 PM |
Like someone said in the older story on TS about this, if you just put the colors in it it looks fine. Link: [link] |
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Guest
on February 17, 2012 4:46 PM |
The looks like a case of "over think". Stay with WIN 7 logo.; |
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Guest
on February 17, 2012 4:53 PM |
Windows 1 logo is far better from that. My proposal http://i44.tinypic.com/ra6h3m.jpg |
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---agissi---
on February 17, 2012 4:58 PM |
I always thought they had a flag because it was more creative than just windows ^.^ |
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taimuraly
on February 17, 2012 5:02 PM |
I think it needs the red, green, blue and yellow back. Those colours have become part of the Microsoft Windows brand and without them it the new logo looks soulless. |
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gamerex
on February 17, 2012 5:18 PM |
It's.. It's a trapezoid. Bisected into quarters. It actually looks a little ecclesiastical. |
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mario
on February 17, 2012 5:25 PM |
Can't stand the logo, it is even "facing the wrong way" [link] or it will never face you. I know I'm being very critical but these brands should bring emotions to the viewer, like the Nike swoosh, this Windows logo feels very impersonal. |
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Artix
on February 17, 2012 5:47 PM |
taimuraly said: I think it needs the red, green, blue and yellow back. Those colours have become part of the Microsoft Windows brand and without them it the new logo looks soulless. QFT |
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LinkedKube
on February 17, 2012 5:48 PM |
Looks like those stupid blocks for icons on windows phones |
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TomSEA
on February 17, 2012 6:16 PM |
I liked the Vista one best - nice and tidy and with colors. The Windows 8 one looks like a logo you'd see for a dentist office. :p |
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tipstir
on February 17, 2012 6:27 PM |
Needs some more color to it! Time to bring back Billy Boy as the VP that running it now only going for the lighter shades of blue! |
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soldier1969
on February 17, 2012 7:01 PM |
I could have designed one better than that! Bland and boring. |
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Relic
on February 17, 2012 7:32 PM |
Not a fan, very dull especially considering the past logos. Think they could've done a much better job. |
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Chazz
on February 17, 2012 7:34 PM |
SNGX1275 said: Like someone said in the older story on TS about this, if you just put the colors in it it looks fine. Link: [link] That logo would be perfect. |
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Mindwraith
on February 17, 2012 8:37 PM |
i can't believe some people actually care about this. mankind, i am disappoint -_- |
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NTAPRO
on February 17, 2012 8:39 PM |
It was a flag? I thought they were windows LOL |
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Guest
on February 17, 2012 10:02 PM |
It looks like Sweden and Greece's flags got jiggy with it, like a Will Smith song... ... not original. I liked their first icon better. -RC |
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killeriii
on February 17, 2012 10:46 PM |
I liked the Windows 2000 logo myself. Was my most memorable OS too. (mmmmm, dual proc p3's.... |
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Guest
on February 17, 2012 11:58 PM |
It looks like a flag if you want to see it like a flag. True, it does not look like a window either but I suppose the marketing guys just need to prove they worth the money by actually doing something. Just thinking what real improvement a new logo can do to a operating system. Maybe fool you to buy it cause you will think it's something brand new ? |
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Archean
on February 18, 2012 1:09 AM |
Win7's was the most elegant amongst all these IMO, although the new proposed logo doesn't look as 'charming', but it will look alright provided they add the colors. |
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QuaZulu
on February 18, 2012 2:35 AM |
New Windows logo = "New" Coke |
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Guest
on February 18, 2012 4:24 AM |
Did they pay the designer yet? Looks like the work of 3yrs old kid. |
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Guest
on February 18, 2012 7:15 AM |
"Microsoft hired renowned design firm Pentagram to help with the project" This is the usual pile of dung in big corporations. They have to hire a whole company for a simple logo project that would take 5 minutes for any ordinary person to make. Not forgetting that they have to write a pile of crap like description and design specification for this 'great' design. The irony in what is referred to as 'professionalism', more like a pile of bull@*!t and unnecessary expense... |
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