Microsoft is bringing out a brand new logo, replacing the previous one we have come to know since 1987. The new logo, which looks a lot similar to its Microsoft Store logo, is said to “signal the heritage but also signal the future — a newness and freshness,” according to Jeff Hansen, Microsoft’s general manager of brand strategy, talking to the Seattle Times.
It will also explain why the Windows logo had to be changed – because Microsoft was going to use it to represent the corporation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzkZWvAJUr0
The new logo also features the Segoe font – which is pretty much now used everywhere in its marketing now (Apple has used Myraid for its own marketing. I also should add I am a typography nerd). Also, if you look closer at the logo, the “ft” part of the logo are connected – and that was a subtle nod to its old logo.
It also incorporates the tiles, and the colours are apparently representative of the colours long associated with the company. It also ties in with its recent marketing campaigns – Blue for Windows, Red for Office, and Green for Xbox.
We probably should have seen it sooner, since Microsoft has been slowly de-emphasising the brand since the start of the year. There have been little clues that I had noticed, such as the Surface ad. The endcap logo was different. I thought it was a stylistic choice – turns out, it was their new logo. Other hints could have been their very own website, where the Microsoft logo was not displayed prominently, instead it was “Welcome to Microsoft”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpzu3HM2CIo
The new logo is being used online today, and will feature in three of its Microsoft retail stores. However, the full changeover to this new logo will take some time, according to Hansen in a blog post. “Fully implementing a change like this takes time, so there may be other instances where you will see the old logo being used for some time.”
“We’re excited about the new logo, but more importantly about this new era in which we’re reimagining how our products can help people and businesses throughout the world realize their full potential,” he added.
One thing is for sure, however. Metro has not only reinvigorated Microsoft’s capacity to innovate, but also to market. It is the start of Microsoft 2.0.