02/23/2020, 02:28 a.m.
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As expected Microsoft introduced the new icons for Windows 10. They supplement the existing Fluent design pictograms with the more difficult cases.
Since 2017 Microsoft’s design teams are working on a new design language, the Fluent design, Among other things, this new design system is to provide all of the manufacturer’s apps, services and applications with a homogeneous iconography. It does not matter which platform and which operating system is used. Microsoft wants to see a recognizable, agnostic design language implemented in every respect.
Fluent Design: Microsoft has been working on the new design system for 3 years
In recent years, the designers have initially used the Fluent design in narrow, limited and therefore easier to handle scenarios, such as when changing the office pictograms. These are relatively few programs with a common theme. This makes finding a comprehensive design concept less difficult.
A selection of the new icons. (Graphic: Microsoft)
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In the past few months, on the other hand, all the design teams of the Redmond company had been looking for ways to create optical homogeneity across all the company’s products. The introduction of a homogeneous icon set for Windows 10 was particularly challenging, because there is no clear parenthesis here, but a clear archetype.
Windows beta users should already see new icons
Now Microsoft’s Windows design boss Christina Koehn announces the availability of the Windows 10 symbols. In a detailed post on medium, it presents basic assumptions, procedures and challenges that the teams encountered during implementation.
Microsoft is rethinking design. (Graphic: Microsoft)
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Registered beta users, the so-called Windows Insiders, should already see parts of the new pictograms, according to Koehn’s statement. Others are now being rolled out on an ongoing basis. Koehn does not comment on the general availability. It had already been speculated earlier that the new Windows 10 icons would be distributed over the next major Windows update in spring 2020. This assumption seems to be confirmed.
Fluent Design: Redmond listens to customers
Microsoft has listened closely to its customers for the new design system, says office chief designer Jon Friedman. They could have seen what customers dislike, including flat design and faint colors. On the other hand, it also showed what customers prefer instead, namely the impression of depth, gradients, strong colors and movement.
Microsoft has derived the logos from 3D models. (Source: Microsoft)
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In fact, Fluent Design is characterized by the use of strong colors. Microsoft has always assigned a specific color spectrum, maximally supplemented by an adjacent color, to an app or group of apps, so that the icon color shows which app the icon will belong to.
In addition, the pictograms should not appear in the classic flat look. Microsoft opted for an isometric display that favors the impression of depth and plasticity.
Fluent Design: Isometric icons give an impression of depth
In order to give the symbols the distinctive 3D look, the designers actually first constructed the icons in 3D and then simplified them step by step. The goal of being able to use the pictograms consistently via smartphones, computers and VR equipment without showing optical breaks should not be lost sight of.
The mail icon over the years. (Graphic: Microsoft)
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The archetype of Windows also had to be kept in mind for the operating system icons. There could be no radical solutions here. After all, the symbols should have an integrating effect as evolution and should not represent foreign objects in the familiar design.
Windows 10 brings neumorphism to life
According to Koehn, this resulted in a mixture of real and abstract elements for the Windows 10 icons, which should nevertheless be subject to a common design DNA. This shows a gradual return to the skeuomorphism of the 2010s, which is, however, less oriented towards reality. The term Neumorphismus has meanwhile prevailed for this type of real-abstract design in UX design and describes one of the mega trends in web design in 2020.
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