Minimalissimo

Around the web we can find many minimalist versions of logos and packaging of well-known brands, and these examples are usually made by students or designers as personal work.

However in this case, Microsoft has developed a new logo, for its new operating system, Windows 8, based on the concepts of simplicity and clarity and using just a single blue colour. I think this is the most important point about the new logo. A representative explains:

It was important that the new logo carries our Metro principle of being “Authentically Digital”. By that, we mean it does not try to emulate faux-industrial design characteristics such as materiality (glass, wood, plastic, etc.). It has motion – aligning with the fast and fluid style you’ll find throughout Windows 8.

The new logo design has been made by Paula Scher at Pentagram and I really enjoyed it when seeing it for the first time.

 

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  2. Alexander

    I think this is one of the few positive reviews I have read about this logo. I personally don’t like it at all, not because of it’s design (even though that is debatable too) but because of the usage of a “window” as a symbol. Also the name Windows 8 feels like something that is being repeated over and over again. It doesn’t really suggest anything new. The whole concept of “windows” as a graphic interface has been around for too long to still use as a selling argument. Why not just call it Microsoft OS8 and skip the whole windows part?

  3. Carl MH Barenbrug

    Although I think the logo is a marked improvement from previous versions, the window icon could indeed be omitted entirely. However, the designer had to work with the brief provided, which obviously included the window icon, so considering this, I think it’s a good design in itself. I do think perhaps there could have been a bit more white space between the window panes though.

  5. A0145

    Alexander, why not take it a step further and call it Mac OS 8.

  6. Benoit MG

    I think this logo is i a great improvement over the previous logos but the angles used and the ever so thin line bothers me quite a lot.

    As for the usage of the window, they cant let it go, or rather i dont think they should.

  7. bob

    is a good start point… however is still being lousy, and more than a logo redesign it needs to be think before more “sketches” start a “re-branding” process, for they can get a good logo… “windows” is a “burned” name, product with a “black” past and present, so i like the idea of alexander “Microsoft OS8″ unfortunately that idea is not workable due apple has the “name” OS… i like the “window” but i think needs more work, i like because is a “metafora” of what it will be the new OS from microsoft.. the color awesome!…

  8. Christian Bach

    I think it´s a really nice improvement and I can definitely follow the “Authentically Digital” thought. I don’t think they should ditch the logo as it is something they can use on its own on and people will identify it with windows….which is still what windows is about…windows :-)
    Even though I love the simplicity of Macs in the way everything functions and especially the hardware I have often disliked their need to imitate materials because it is not true to the digital world it actually is. Its like veneer on a table instead of solid wood.

  9. Derek

    It’s only the perspective that bugs me. I think I would like it better as four squares making one square, but then it probably could be misinterpreted as a nation’s flag. So whatevs. Overall I think the only valid reason to be upset by the change is if Windows 8 really doesn’t change anything on the software side. If this really doesn’t revolutionize the way most of the world uses their computer I think the drastic change of the logo was in vain and probably will serve only to further tarnish Microsoft’s name. So if thought of in that light, the logo change is a really gutsy move. So I give them props mostly on that.
    We’ll see how this plays out.