What’s wrong with Microsoft’s new logos?

Poor Microsoft. The company can’t do anything whatsoever without generating criticism. Microsoft has already been recoiling from the PR disaster that has been Windows 8. A few critics are even crediting the new operating system with hastening the demise of desktop personal computers. Now critics are even targeting the logos that Microsoft has introduced to identify its programs on Windows 8. Yes, critics are actually claiming that Microsoft isn’t artistic enough.

Too Simple?

A user on the Quora knowledge-sharing site just recently gave a negative assessment to the new logos that Microsoft released with its Windows 8 and Office 2013 launches. The logos identify the programs that users can select from, everything from Internet Explorer to Microsoft Word to Microsoft Excel. The Quora user claimed that Microsoft’s graphic designers took the easiest way out with these admittedly simplified logos. Creating these images, the user suggested, must have taken Microsoft all of 5 minutes.

The argument

Quora is a site that promotes debate. And debate quickly followed . A small army of Quora users contended that Microsoft’s new logos – including ones for Internet Explorer, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Office – are actually rather stunning in their simplicity. Some others argued that just because a logo is simple doesn’t mean that it didn’t require as much thought and planning as more complex designs. In fact, the predominant theme of the counterargument is that sometimes simplicity is best. And when it comes to computer graphics, sleek, simple logos in many cases are the best.

A Growing Trend?

It’s tough to argue with this last point. Microsoft’s new logos do look sleek. And you can instantly tell which logo goes with which Microsoft program and that, of course, is the job of a logo. You can criticize Microsoft for a number of things – especially for Windows 8 – but when it comes to logos, the company remains on the cutting edge.