Although I thought Microsoft’s new logo had been officially released already, this video shows it off in it’s final form.

To me, the logo designed by Pentagram (below) was so dull and lifeless, the backlash in the design community was deserved. I mean, simplicity is great, and removing the dated stylisation that plagued the earlier iterations is obviously a good move. But is that it? Where’s the personality?

It was only midway through watching the short video did I get a glimpse of what I would have suggested to have been a fair compromise between what existed previously and a level of simplicity that the new Metro interface deserved. The ‘alternative’ version of Microsoft’s new logo (Below) I feel would better suit the company – how can you argue with the ultimate simplification and appropriately beautiful colour scheme?

Even the typeface shows effort with the ft ligature – and I kinda like it! But why bother with the white logo on the blue background – am I wrong or are they not going with that anymore?

Is this another feedback debacle a la Gap?

Microsoft’s website adorns the version I like, so that would suggest they are using it over the Pentagram version, at least primarily. It really ties all the other products together nicely, with a much-needed simplicity that runs throughout the brand.

Okay so, the typeface has the feel of the blue Pentagram version so what is going on? The typeface that they are using in the primary logo should be the same that is used on the full-product suite – consistency is key!

What do you think? Am I mistaken with what Microsoft are doing with their new logo design? Only time will tell.

logo, news, re-brand, review, video