Between the Lines

Larry Dignan, Andrew Nusca and Rachel King
Home / News & Blogs / Between the Lines

Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way

By | February 17, 2012, 10:31am PST

Summary: The Windows 8 logo gives me a window, but I want to jump out of it.

Microsoft has a new logo for Windows 8 and I’m already missing the old ones. Maybe a world full of tiles can get tiresome.

The software giant has gone Metro happy. The new logo, unveiled in a Microsoft blog post, is designed to capture “bold flat colors and clean lines and shapes.” That’s mumbo jumbo for “hey we paid a design firm a bundle to cook up this logo that you may not like.”

OK, I get that the logo should match the Windows 8 Metro format. Microsoft is tile happy. I also get that the previous Windows logos looked more like flags than Windows. Unfortunately for me the Windows 8 logo gives me a window, but I want to jump out of it.

Related: New Windows 8 logo: It’s a window, not a flag | Apple and Microsoft - Different approaches to developing the next-generation desktop OS

It. Is. Just. Too. Much. Metro. Design. For. Me. To. Handle.

The problem here is that I can’t think of Microsoft’s Metro theme without putting a “sexual” behind it. Metrosexuals are supposed to really care about their looks and hygiene. The Windows 8 logo looks forced and the equivalent of a pink shirt you might find your friendly neighborhood metrosexual wearing. Or as forced as a Ryan Seacrest-Steve Ballmer hug.

Gallery: Ballmer, Microsoft bid CES adieu (photos)

Kick off your day with ZDNet's daily e-mail newsletter. It's the freshest tech news and opinion, served hot. Get it.

More from “Between the Lines”

Topics

Microsoft Corp., Microsoft Windows 8, Metrosexuals, Microsoft Windows, Operating Systems, Software, Larry Dignan

Larry Dignan is Editor in Chief of ZDNet and SmartPlanet as well as Editorial Director of ZDNet's sister site TechRepublic.

Disclosure

Larry Dignan

Larry Dignan has nothing to disclose. He doesn’t hold investments in the technology companies he covers.

Biography

Larry Dignan

Larry Dignan is Editor in Chief of ZDNet and SmartPlanet as well as Editorial Director of ZDNet's sister site TechRepublic. He was most recently Executive Editor of News and Blogs at ZDNet. Prior to that he was executive news editor at eWeek and news editor at Baseline. He also served as the East Coast news editor and finance editor at CNET News.com. Larry has covered the technology and financial services industry since 1995, publishing articles in WallStreetWeek.com, Inter@ctive Week, The New York Times, and Financial Planning magazine. He's a graduate of the Columbia School of Journalism and the University of Delaware.

For daily updates, follow Larry on Twitter.

71
Comments
Add Your Opinion

Join the conversation!

Just In

RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
DocuMentor (Doc) 21st Feb
Doc thinks it's time to chill out a little, Larry. It's just a logo and not a bad one at that. Microsoft has never been known for cutting edge graphic design and tends to stick with the safe basics. This example is no different ??? nothing to write home about but very clean and professional. It stands on its own very well and doesn't have to connote any particular lifestyle ??? I think that's reading a bit too much into it.
View in thread
1 Vote
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
wendellgee@... 17th Feb
Protip: Don't visit the bar before coming to work.

Logo is fine.
1 Vote
+ -
I think Larry is going a bit overboard here
William Farrel 17th Feb
@wendellgee@...
talk about taking silliness to teh extreme, he did. Though I'm sure we'll hear how "wonderfull" a plain Apple on a device is.

Larry, you're scraping the bottom here, anymore.
1 Vote
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
Those who hunt Trolls Updated - 17th Feb
@William Farrel
Sir, you're just hating. Anyone knows that the Apple logo alone is worth the $500 mark up on a device. That way, you know said device is infallible and magical.
  • Flagged
0 Votes
+ -
Corrected title: "Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro in a good way"
JohnAgain 17th Feb
@wendellgee@...
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
The Linux Geek 17th Feb
@wendellgee@...
the logo is ugly and lewd! Like all homo loving monopolists in Washington state.
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
Those who hunt Trolls 17th Feb
@The Linux Geek
You hear that? .....That is the sounds of more Windows PC's being bought.

And I happen to like Linux a lot...you're just killing people's enthusiasm for it instead of championing it.
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
tonymcs@... 17th Feb
@The Linux Geek

Luckily the others of us here are rational, So I won't be assuming that all Linux fanbois are sex obsessed, homophobic and just generally nasty.
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
Champ_Kind 17th Feb
@The Linux Geek Way to spew the venom and hate there, buddy. YEAH!

/sarcasm.
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
tonymcs@... 17th Feb
@wendellgee@...

Are you sure this isn't SJVN? Doesn't really sound like you Larry. Your parochialism is cute, but Metro usually means a train system in Australia and France rather than having a sexual connotation or an abbreviation for metropolis. Perhaps you should just change your acquaintances if metrosexual keeps popping up too often wink

As to the logo, it's Metro in one - simple, stylish and practical, just like Wp7 and then new Win 8.

I suggest you stop taking lessons from SJVN wink
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
Champ_Kind 17th Feb
@tonymcs@... There's also MetroLink light passenger rail in STL, the Metro bus service in Kansas City, and I'm sure it just doesn't stop there.
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
rfoto 18th Feb
@tonymcs@...

Except that Metro can refer to a "look", which is what is happening here, opposed to being a noun, such as a train.
1 Vote
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
tonymcs@... 18th Feb
@tonymcs@...

I also have to get this off my chest.

I hate the ZD logo.

It's red which reminds me of Communism. The square is disturbingly off center and the worst part is the name, which makes anyone outside America call it Zed D net and in the USA Zee D net.

Aaah that makes me feel better wink
0 Votes
+ -
Ya, it might qualify as most bizarre article of all time.
Cayble 18th Feb
@wendellgee@...

I don't know about you, I'm just shocked at myself that I just took the time to read an article that sounds like its supposed to make sense if you don't like a software logo thats a real bad thing in some important way. I don't know, perhaps if you find the logo so disgusting and off putting you find it repels you some how from the products...

...I don't know, I think that would even be more maniacal then what even this article seems to be implying.
0 Votes
+ -
A Logo is supposed to represent something
WebSiteManager 17th Feb
If you're going all-Metro, why in the world would you not do it for the logo, of all things? It's supposed to represent the real thing.
0 Votes
+ -
Notice the angle of the logo
Richard Flude 18th Feb
It's the perspective of some walking past, not towards.

Represents the current state of windows competition.
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
Loverock Davidson- Updated - 17th Feb
The only thing he could come up with is complaining about the Microsoft Windows logo. Its just a logo! I like its simplistic design, it doesn't need to be complicated. You can throw all your articles about Microsoft Windows out the window since you don't like it and seem to want to go out it yourself.

The problem here is that I cant think of Microsofts Metro theme without putting a sexual behind it. Metrosexuals are supposed to really care about their looks and hygiene. The Windows 8 logo looks forced and the equivalent of a pink shirt you might find your friendly neighborhood metrosexual wearing.
That's just your skewed way of thinking. There is nothing suggestive about the metro lifestyle in Microsoft's UI or branding. Its completely on you that you are associating the two.
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
SamWilkinson 17th Feb
@Loverock Davidson- He could complain about what a colossal flop Windows 8 is going to be, but he's just waiting to see you flounder when it does.
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
Those who hunt Trolls 17th Feb
@SamWilkinson
I think Loverock Davidson is waiting to start laughing when Win8 overtakes OSX and Linux marketshare combined.
  • Flagged
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
LiquidLearner 17th Feb
@TWHT

In what? 2-3 weeks? It won't take long...
  • Flagged
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
grayknight 17th Feb
@Those who hunt Trolls, Windows 8 will overtake OSX and Linux combined a day or two after Feb 29th.
  • Flagged
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
radleym 18th Feb
@SamWilkinson You and Lovey and his ilk are the only ones who care about somehow forcing others not to get to enjoy using what they like.
You guys are the real haters around here.
Let me guess - avid Republicans, right? (And i mean WAY FAR RIGHT)
0 Votes
+ -
"I like its simplistic design, it doesn't need to be complicated."
Userama 17th Feb
@Loverock Davidson-
Wow! I don't believe those words came from the keyboard of a complexity-loving Windows user! If you would apply that statement to OSs, LD, you'd really be onto something. There might be hope for you yet!
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
Emi Cyberschreiber Updated - 18th Feb
wow your article is full of ignorance, of course specially the last part about "metrosexuals" (which made me feel annoyed)

People like it and people dislike it, accept it, only because YOU don't, it doesn't mean others cant like it or think different than you.
specially when its ONLY a logo not many people will care about it nor see it. and you know Windows should be a WINDOW, not a flag. so at least it makes sense now. and i like that, and it doesn't look bad.

but hey, if you want to jump out of a window, its your problem, I really don't care more than one less ignorant in this world.


and also now we can say, Metro you know the abbreviation of metropolitan, which includes Metro the rapid transit systems, or non rapid transit rail networks, or others like metrobus or whatever... is only for homosexuals (since some people think metro sexuals = homo) metrosexuals, and people who wear pink shirt.
maybe windows 8 is also only for metrosexuals and people with pink shirt, i don't know.
0 Votes
+ -
+1
JohnAgain 17th Feb
@Emi Cyberschreiber +1
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
vivianvein 17th Feb
@Emi Cyberschreiber
+1
0 Votes
+ -
meh
Robert Hahn 17th Feb 
assert (count(opinions) == count(noses))
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
HalfAKilo 17th Feb
facepalm

this article is a train wreck, it is painful to read
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
Those who hunt Trolls 17th Feb
@HalfAKilo Personally I love the Vista/7 blue circle logo the best but this is nice. I can understand if some people aren't a fan of it, but certainly not enough to write an flamebait article about it.
0 Votes
+ -
Agreed.....
linux for me 18th Feb
@Those who hunt Trolls

It's only a logo.....Waste of space which a better article could have been used.

The real deal will be how the OS does when it's released, the logo has no bearing on that at all.
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
jrusinek 17th Feb
Meh, I love it.
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
rwalrond 17th Feb
"The Windows 8 logo gives me a window, but I want to jump out of it.

Let me know if you need someone to hold the window open or to give you a little push. Your readers are here for you.
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
sharkboyjohn 17th Feb
It is a damn ugly logo. The really awkward Ballmer / Seacrest hug is a genius analogy.
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
ScorpioBlack 17th Feb
I thought Ballmer was getting ready to do the gorilla arm monkey-boy metro on Seacrest.

Pretty bad
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
Joel-r 17th Feb
@ScorpioBlack from the picture it looks like Monkey-boy either want to kiss Seacrest, or eat him.
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
kris_stapley@... 17th Feb
What a terrible article. I clicked because I was interested in what logo they have, not some hacks opinion on it.
0 Votes
+ -
Seem to be some polar extreme views here
Heidimoose 17th Feb
I'm not a fan of the angled window at the side, but I do like that they have gone simplistic. They shouldn't feel they need to compete with Apple by copying though. Apple is Apple - they do what they do well: simplicity, beauty, intuitive design. Unix/Linux is a no frills engine - stripped back, bare, but strong and reliable. Windows is a train: strong engine, bells and whistles, and gets you where you need to go.

I love the iPad2 and it has filled a great void in the market place. The Android and iPhone mobiles have filled the void left by the limited Nokia and AWFUL Windows Mobile 7.

I am personally really excited about Windows 8 and it potential and if Microsoft can twin that with a pocket sized mobile with standardised hardware (recently purchased from Nokia no doubt), then they really could succeed in a comeback.

My money is on them pulling the rabbit out of the hat and the crowd cheering.
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
grayknight 17th Feb
@heidimoose, uh, your reference to Windows Mobile, means you don't know Windows Phone and it isn't even remotely like Windows Mobile 5/6. Windows Phone fits beautifully between iPhone and Android, giving us the best of both mobile platforms
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
phayzor 17th Feb
@grayknight agreed
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
DannyO_0x98 Updated - 17th Feb
I like it.

If I were to critique it, I think it's too wide for its height, but the only solution is to abbreviate or eliminate "Windows" and I'd bet that was a non-starter from the client's point of view.

I do like the color, the monochromatic approach (which is a major break), and its cleanliness.
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
Cylon Centurion 17th Feb
Nothing to make a big deal of. A logo is a logo, but personally, I think it would look better with the window facing inward toward the text.
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
mytake4this 17th Feb
Greek flag.
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
spaulagain 17th Feb
For the Record, I love Metro but not this new logo. sad
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
phayzor 17th Feb
Nauseating article....
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
MoeFugger 17th Feb
Kinda ugly but I don't buy software because of how the logo looks.
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
rgcustomer@... 17th Feb
I don't like the logo. Why is the window trying to avoid me? Do I smell?
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
Gotheallblacks 17th Feb
It's nearly the same blue as Android's Ice Cream Sandwich blue, which is also characterized by flat blue icons and text. Weird.
0 Votes
+ -
I'll send you a job link.
alsw 17th Feb
If the new Windows logo is too much for you to handle, you need a new line of work. I don't think too many people care that much.
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
Raju Das 18th Feb
Ok, they simplified the windows logo to make it more metro-ish. But I don't understand why they replaced four primary colors for four windows to just one color?
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
DJK2 18th Feb
@Raju Das
Hmm you do know, there are only 3 primary colors right happy
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
Raju Das 18th Feb
@DJK2 Yes.
In light projection, the primary colors are red, blue & green. In combining colors, they are red, blue & yellow. That makes it four, used by Google and Microsoft in their logos. happy
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way
DocuMentor (Doc) 21st Feb
Doc thinks it's time to chill out a little, Larry. It's just a logo and not a bad one at that. Microsoft has never been known for cutting edge graphic design and tends to stick with the safe basics. This example is no different ??? nothing to write home about but very clean and professional. It stands on its own very well and doesn't have to connote any particular lifestyle ??? I think that's reading a bit too much into it.

Join the conversation!

Formatting +
BB Codes - Note: HTML is not supported in forums
  • [b] Bold [/b]
  • [i] Italic [/i]
  • [u] Underline [/u]
  • [s] Strikethrough [/s]
  • [q] "Quote" [/q]
  • [ol][*] 1. Ordered List [/ol]
  • [ul][*] · Unordered List [/ul]
  • [pre] Preformat [/pre]
  • [quote] "Blockquote" [/quote]
ie8 fix

The best of ZDNet, delivered

ZDNet Newsletters

Get the best of ZDNet delivered straight to your inbox

Facebook Activity

Blog Roll

Blog Archive

White Papers, Webcasts, & Resources
ie8 fix