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The new logo for Windows 8

Microsoft’s Blogging Windows blog wrote about the evolving Windows logo that has changed with most major version changes. Part of the change comes from the technology available but other times it just comes from that weird Marketing department. So, without further ado, your Windows 8 logo:

The rest of the blog entry goes into the history of the Windows logo and its different incarnations. You may recall them with a slight reminder from the timeline.

Although the Windows 8 logo really looks like something that could have been whipped up in the 5 minutes before class because you totally forgot there was an assignment due until your buddy mentioned it in the hallway, here is Microsoft’s description of what they were going for:

With Windows 8, we 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.

For some entertainment, read the comments on that blog entry to find graphics designers, amongt others, either love, hate, or meh, the new design.