DailyTech - Microsoft First Overhaul to its Logo in 25 Years Looks Vaguely Metro

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Software Microsoft First Overhaul to its Logo in 25 Years Looks Vaguely Metro
Jason Mick (Blog) - August 23, 2012 4:41 PM

29 comment(s) - last by TSS.. on Aug 28 at 5:21 PM

This is Microsoft's first logo to feature color

Windows 8 isn't just a dramatic operating system overhaul for Microsoft Corp. (MSFT). It also marks the first time in a quarter century that Microsoft has revamped its sacred logo, one of the most recognizable symbols in the tech world.

The new logo has a vaguely Metro UI-ish (now renamed Windows 8 style due to trademark issues) look to it and will be featured prominently on Microsoft's upcoming 10.6-inch Surface tablet. Jeff Hansen, Microsoft's brand strategy manager tells The Seattle Times that the new logo is designed to "signal the heritage but also signal the future — a newness and freshness."

The "fresh" logo is actually the fifth in Microsoft's history. During its first 12 years, Microsoft went through three text logos, before finally settling with the iconic black, bold/italic text logo. The new logo is the first to feature color, though, with the inclusion of a Metro-like rendition of the iconic Windows symbol. Mr. Hansen writes, "The symbol’s squares of color are intended to express the company’s diverse portfolio of products."

_{Microsoft's logo has evolved 4 times in the company's almost four decade history. [Image Source: Microsoft via The Seattle Times]}

Microsoft logo new size

_{The new logo [Image Source: Microsoft]}

Here's a video Microsoft put out of the new logo animating in:

Microsoft's Hansen comments, "The majority of the items that people see from the company — websites, marketing, communications — people will be seeing the new logo pretty quickly."

Sources: TechNet, The Seattle Times