Microsoft Shows Off Its New Windows 8 Logo

Microsoft hired design firm, Pentagram to create the brand new Windows 8 logo. The result is more “window-y” than ever before. Pentagram posed the following question to Microsoft, “your name is Windows. Why are you a flag?” — an excellent question indeed.

The new logo plays off the Metro UI style that Microsoft introduced with Windows Phone 7 and will also be integrated into Windows 8 set for release later this year. The design is definitely more simplistic than previous Windows logos, but I think the simplicity adds an elegance to it.

According to Microsoft, it approached the logo redesign with a few key goals on mind:

1. We wanted the new logo to be both modern and classic by echoing the International Typographic Style (or Swiss design) that has been a great influence on our Metro style design philosophy. Using bold flat colors and clean lines and shapes, the new logo has the characteristics of way-finding design systems seen in airports and subways.

2. 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.

3. Our final goal was for the new logo to be humble, yet confident. Welcoming you in with a slight tilt in perspective and when you change your color, the logo changes to reflect you. It is a “Personal” Computer after all.

You can see the evolution of the Windows logo over the years below. What do you think?