You’ve probably heard what I have to say about Microsoft. In fact you’re probably bored of me mentioning problems with Internet Explorer, Word and Frontpage. Despite their dysfunctional software we still use them day in and day out and there’s no arguing that they’ve made an impact on the way we work.
They introduced Office to our world which has become the industry standard all in one business tool. 20 years on their releasing the latest version, Office 2010 with a new look.
Microsoft design has never been trend setting. Their logos, packaging and websites are always pretty standard, clean cut but nothing exceptional unlike its adversaries and colleagues such as Apple or HP.
The logo for Office XP set the brand 10 years ago symbolizing 4 pieces to a puzzle, each section in a different colour representing the office apps (word, powerpoint, excel and Outlook) as well as keeping with the windows theme. It had a slight playfulness to it which was nice but also a little cheap.
The new logo was a big improvement. Cleaner, dynamic, and modern with a small step away from the puzzle pieces. Tying into the new web tools built into office, the logo represented a new facelift that the suite went through but overall it still wasn’t mind blowing. Alongside were new icons which were nice, functional although a little cryptic in some cases.
The 2010 logo shows another step forward in the building of a brand. Moving full circle from the puzzle it’s now a dynamic unified representation of the office suite rather then one that’s separated by shape and colour. The whole design has been meshed into one symbol intended to reflect a suite
that works on multiple levels. Arrows moving from space to space (app to app) creates an energetic and streamlined approach, symbolising a cohesive func
tionality but is it an improvement?
Yes it is but is it mind blowing? Not really. It’s a nice logo and again a step in the right direction but just not there yet. Its layed out well but a small clash is still present between the font style and new icon. Throwing out the old colour scheme was a brave and admired step and the new orange which replaces it is modern and vibrant but is it a bit too orange?
Where MS take a step forward with the logo they also take a huge step back with a new icon set. More cryptic then ever we have an array of colours and letters to remember. Inconsistent typography and a mixed style of buttons. Gradient upon gradient creates mess whilst colourful yet confusing sums it up.
The ideas behind the new identity are strong. A unified, userfriendly and modern approach for the suite but overall in terms of design it’s just pretty generic and quite possibly “unprofessional.”
3/5
