Windows 8 logo released by Microsoft: Revealing the source of innovative regression (figure)

Windows 8 icon

Icon evolution in Windows

Windows 1.0 icon

Windows 3.1 icon

Windows XP icon

Windows Vista icon

Sina technology news Beijing Time on February 18 Morning News, Microsoft (microblogging) recently released a Windows 8 mark, this shows that Microsoft intends to break the boat, highlighting the determination of innovation, at the same time, it has returned to the source of windows. Since Windows 8, Microsoft has abandoned the four-cell windows icon, which has been in use for 20 years and has a far-reaching influence-a slightly wavy red, yellow, and blue-green window. This icon has been enabled since Windows 3.1, PC users will always be accompanied at the startup of the computer or at the corner of the desktop.

Now Microsoft has not only abandoned the color and shape scheme of the Windows logo, but even the start button has changed. The new logo is streamlined in a single color, which makes people feel a little strange. Microsoft's move is also trying to emphasize their complete innovation in the operating system concept. Some people are very interested in this new design, while others do not catch a cold. However, Microsoft is no longer the same as Microsoft. They are also undergoing major changes.

In fact, the icon was circulated from a Chinese website for various reasons earlier this week, but the outside world still had doubts about its authenticity. However, Microsoft's official windows blog has officially confirmed that this icon is the official icon.

The full text of Microsoft Windows official blog is as follows:

We once said that Windows 8 will completely reshape the Windows operating system. All designs have been reexplored, including windows icons, to better adapt them to the modern PC concept. Windows icons have a strong sense of identity. when we review the past and start analysis, we will find that with the evolution of icons, we will be able to better reflect the design concept of Metro. This is an opportunity to link the outstanding features of the previous icons.

We specially invited a group of agents to design the new map. We were very excited when design consulting firm pentagram agreed to join the project. Pentagram has a brilliant history, and the company's classic graphic design is very fascinating, so it is very suitable for the design concept of Metro.

At the early stage of Windows 8 development, we used to design Paula Scher, Michael Beirut, and Daniel weIl) we are invited to a meeting in the Microsoft headquarters meeting room. A small number of designers and Marketing directors from windows and Microsoft attended the meeting. The team held a one-day meeting to share some of the design philosophy of Metro, including the history, values, graphic design, and technological industry trends of the Windows brand.

The famous novelist George Orwell once said: "We need to constantly work hard to see the way forward ."

We felt the same when Schell showed us the new windows icon.

This is a window, not a flag

Xue Bolan once asked us a simple question: "This product is named Windows (including the 'windows'). Why is the icon like a flag ?"

You can see the history of the Windows icon, including the technological progress when the icon is displayed. Windows 1.0 adopts a simple two-color version. The design on Vista and Windows 7 is more complex, and the rendering effect is more specific. Every change is more meaningful as the display icon technology environment is different. With the increase in computing power, we can use greater computing power to render more colors, display better fonts, and highlight more specific 3D virtual senses, including depth, shadows, and material. It has evolved from low-resolution images to today's rich high-resolution systems. It evolved from a simple "window" to a flying flag.

Review the icon's origins. It really only represents a window. For computing, "window" is an excellent metaphor. In the new icons, we also emphasize the concept of "window. Microsoft and windows have always been committed to putting technology in the hands of people, so that everyone can have more powerful capabilities to pursue their vision. This is exactly the intention of the new icon design. We have not re-designed many times, but returned to the source, brought windows back to the start point, and briefly redesigned the Windows icon as a "window ".

The following shows the Windows icons in the past:

Windows 1.0

Few people still remember the original windows icons. during the design of the metro style, we found that the original icons were refreshing and inspiring. It uses simple lines and clear concepts. This icon makes us deeply aware of the excellence of "Windows.

Windows 3.1

When we review the previous windows icons, most people remember this figure. It is a classic window with four colors and has been a Windows brand for many years. With the "wave" effect, the icon looks dynamic. This icon became the basis for the design of Windows icons, which lasted until the 1990s S.

Windows XP

When Windows XP was launched, the icon has a new appearance, that is, the well-known "Windows flag", which is simpler and more mature than in the past. Place the icon on the left side, close to the "Start" menu, with a material sense, rich gradient and shadow, more 3D effect.

Windows Vista

After Vista was launched, it represented the beginning of Windows aero Design Aesthetics and became an element of the interface. There is no green "start" button, and a glass button is replaced to embed a flat Windows XP flag. The icon is called a "Pearl ". You can see the complex light and shade effects from the glass. This proves from many aspects that the rendering engine of PC is very powerful. On Windows 7, this icon remains unchanged.

Windows 8

In Windows 8, we hope to achieve several key goals for the new icon design.

1. We hope to make the new icon more modern and classic, and achieve it through the International graphic design style (Swiss Design). It has a significant impact on our Metro style philosophy. Using bold and flat color blocks, concise lines and shapes, the new icons have the characteristics of the road sign design system. We often see similar designs at airports and subways.

2. Metro's philosophy is "authentically digital" (real digitalization). The new icon is the practice of this principle. That is to say, the new icon does not need to simulate rich industrial design features, such as material (such as glass, wood, plastic, etc.). It is dynamic and similar to the high-speed and stream-linear style in Windows 8.

3. Our ultimate goal is to make the new icon both humble and confident. Therefore, a tilted perspective is used. When you adjust the selected color, the icon color also changes. Make it a user's "personalized" computer.

I hope you will like the new icon.

Sam Moreau)

Microsoft head of user experience (Lin Jing)

Ref: http://tech.sina.com.cn/it/2012-02-18/09136740049.shtml