They say that everyone is a critic. You can observe this firsthand at the Quora knowledge-sharing Web site. A short time ago, a Quora user took Microsoft to task. This user wasn’t upset that Windows 8 was clunky and counter-intuitive. The user wasn’t upset, either, that Internet Explorer didn’t return the best search results. No, this user took Microsoft to task for its shortage of artistic ambition. Yes, you heard right.
Too Simple?
This user believes that Microsoft isn’t putting sufficient time into designing artistic, eye appealing logos. Instead, the user writes, Microsoft is dashing off simplistic, minimalist logos. These logos, the assertion goes, look as though graphics pros dashed them off in five minutes. The user adds that Microsoft has been dumbing down their logos since introducing Windows 8 and Office 2013.
The argument
Quora is a website that promotes debate. And debate quickly followed . A small army of Quora users argued that Microsoft’s new logos – including ones for Internet Explorer, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Office – are in fact rather stunning in their simpleness. Others argued that just because a logo is simple doesn’t mean it didn’t demand as much thought and planning as more complicated designs. Indeed, the prevailing theme of the counterargument is that from time to time simplicity is best. And when it comes to computer graphics, sleek, simple logos are often the best.
The Trend
It’s tough to argue with this last point. Microsoft’s new logos do look sleek. And you can immediately tell which logo matches which Microsoft program and that, naturally, is the job of a logo. You may criticize Microsoft for a lot of things – especially for Windows 8 – but when it comes to logos, the company remains on the cutting edge.