Microsoft's new logo (Yawn)
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Not sure if this is better or worse than what Gap dished out just a few months ago. Microsoft's new logo is incredibly boring. Like no-butter-on-your-toast boring. Yes, I know, it does follow the design precedent the company has employed with it's "Metro" branding (i.e. plenty of squares and rectangles interspersed with liberal use of the Segoe font), but truly, no-one could ever accuse the folks over in Redmond of trying anything new. Just look at this:
Then consider that this move represents the company's first modernization (logo wise) in twenty years! Forgive us for expecting something just a little more exciting. Also remember that this, er... logo looks more like a Ludo board than the exciting products the software giant is releasing this year. Seriously, check this out: Ludo board left, Microsoft's new Surface at right:
The real problem isn't just the 4 squares. Its the combination of that plain configuration in startlingly dull primary colours (plus green), that moves the new logo firmly out of brilliantly designed simplicity territory and straight into kindergarten colour-by-numbers stuff.
Perhaps even the designers themselves at Microsoft know. I suspect they and the whole marketing department must have. Over on the Microsoft blog, the very short introductory clip of the new logo only incorporates the hideous colour selection all together in one instance - when the inclusion of the logo itself demands it.
It seems the company is in some serious design direction turmoil, with many questions about the demise and future of "Metro" itself still unanswered. Nevertheless one could almost imagine how the process ran its course, and how in typical Microsoft fashion, the slow-and-steady engineers won the day and the bold move this logo redesign could have been, was watered down into the weak offering we see today. It's just plain disappointing to see Microsoft play itself in such a predictable role and in such predictably boring style.
It will be very interesting to see whether Microsoft will face the same kind of social media backlash that forced the Gap to revert back to their old logo. Leave your feelings in the comment section. We'd love to hear your views.
