A post by Long Zheng from istartedsomething shows that the logo for the Microsoft store has been revealed, and was filed last week by Microsoft at the United States Patent and Trademark Office.The logo, shown below, bears a strong resemblance to the Windows logo, and according to Zheng's post, it's "registered to cover a multitude of goods and services including retail store services and online retail services featuring computers, computer hardware, software, computer games, computer peripherals, portable music players and accessories, personal digital assistants, cell phones and accessories, video game consoles and accessories, webcams, books, clothing, back packs, messenger bags, computer bags and novelty items".
We've previously reported that Microsoft plans to open up their own retail stores right next to Apple's stores. Microsoft has announced that it's first locations would be in California and Arizona.
Back in late July, documents were leaked revealing possible Microsoft store layout plans. However, the company said that these plans were early prototypes and were not finalized.
















It looks like it was designed in the 70's.
I know. I've lived through that whole decade!
To be honest, it looks like something that a seven or younger year old could have made.
I can see how this was probably made. They made the color boxes, made a smaller white one with less opacity, made another smaller one with the same opacity, deleted whatever wasn't in the color, and BOOM! you have a horrible logo.
hehee selling nothing but DOS diskettes
To be honest, it looks like something that a seven or younger year old could have made.
I can see how this was probably made. They made the color boxes, made a smaller white one with less opacity, made another smaller one with the same opacity, deleted whatever wasn't in the color, and BOOM! you have a horrible logo.
Apple (Store) logos arent exactly the most innovative design in the world either, its just an Apple with a bite out of it.
I don't understand why they didn't just use their typical logo?
The point with it has to be to build brand recognazibility. Apple doesn't deviate from their apple logo from time to time, and for a good reason. *shrug*
This looks odd and unnecessary to me. I had definitely expected a stylish and pretty version of the Windows flag.
I'd buy 'em hahaha
Maybe not, but it's still the Apple logo which is well recognized. This... erm... thing means nothing to most people. Sure, it has some vague resemblance of the Windows flag that has been used over the years, but how many people outside of the tech community will actually make that association? This logo could have been used for some king of gay pride store. *shudder*
Yup. It's hideous.
they'll have to do better than that to make an impression over the apple logo. Todays society is very VERY materialistic!
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Just "some vague resemblance"?
XP's logo - http://rarepattern.com/files/category_pict...indows-logo.jpg ... is barely different.
Going back further: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Windows_3.1_start.png
Unfortunately, the example screenshot isn't very high quality - I'm sure it looks better in person, when properly branded.
In any case, your comment about gay pride is just stupid. This is the rainbow flag: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_flag
No, you are not. I like it, too.
It is simple (normal for a logo); it resembles the original MS logo, too.
It is a little bit "more sophisticated" by adding color variations. "A little bit" is enough, nobody expects them to make a 3D kinda thing for a logo. Neither are they establishing some radically new institution, so why make a terribly different logo? Yet it IS different enough to stand for something new.
So, in my opinion, it is OK.
And don't forget, the Redmond monster is spending a lot of money to keep going. So their resources are somewhat limited ;-).
XP's logo - http://rarepattern.com/files/category_pict...indows-logo.jpg ... is barely different.
Going back further: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Windows_3.1_start.png
Unfortunately, the example screenshot isn't very high quality - I'm sure it looks better in person, when properly branded.
In any case, your comment about gay pride is just stupid. This is the rainbow flag: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_flag
No no, it really is just some vague resemblence.
Just like here: http://i.zdnet.com/blogs/microsoft-office.jpg
Which also happens to be squares.
And also happens to have the gradient.
But no, continue. Really. You know so much.
Actually the design is a fairly obvious evocation of minimalistic print making.
The red and green squares are over laid with yellow, which is then lifted to increase the transparency of the YELLOW OVERLAY and not the red or green. It is then treated to a second yellow overlay.
The blue and yellow squares are treated with a white overlay.
Houses are really simple if you call them cubes right?
I for one hope they open next to an Apple store and have Windows 7 or Vista computers setup on computers that don't have any OEM junk on them.
People will truly realize just how much faster Windows is than Mac.
I am running my 2.2GHZ 6GB RAM Macbook /w Windows 7 x64 RC1
Sorry to sound like a fanboy but, doesn't the fact that you're running Windows on your Mac negate your statement?
You have to use HP computers to say Windows 7 is good? Bear in mind Microsoft does not make hardware.
What I was stating is that a lot of the bloat OEMs put on their computers either causes the computers to run more slowly and or makes them more unstable. If you perform a clean install with just the drivers and the OS you definitely see just how fast the computer really is.
I couldn't use Leopard as my main OS due to how slow it really is. I am not trying to stir-up anything either. This is from my experience.
I couldn't use Leopard as my main OS due to how slow it really is. I am not trying to stir-up anything either. This is from my experience.
I understand that. I use Leopard and Win 7 myself, however I must say my Mac is faster (based on my experience), which only has a 2.16 GHz Core 2 Duo processor with 2 GB of RAM. I built my PC with a 2.4 GHz Athlon X2 and 6 GB of ram and it is far slower.
As for doing a clean install, I love it on both Leopard and Windows. They both boot incredibly fast, however as with any operating system, as soon as software comes in, it gets slow.
Of course the Mac is faster the processor in it is way better. Just because it is a higher GHz doesn't mean squat. The Core 2 duo kicks the ass of the X2. RAM may help a bit but not a noticeable amount.
I couldn't use Leopard as my main OS due to how slow it really is. I am not trying to stir-up anything either. This is from my experience.
Leopard was slower, than Windows??? Wow.
I installed Leopard on my PC (used the iAtkos installer, don't tell anybody!) and it was really fast! Faster than any Windows anyway. Maybe your Mac has hardware defects?
I couldn't use Leopard as my main OS due to how slow it really is. I am not trying to stir-up anything either. This is from my experience.
I understand that. I use Leopard and Win 7 myself, however I must say my Mac is faster (based on my experience), which only has a 2.16 GHz Core 2 Duo processor with 2 GB of RAM. I built my PC with a 2.4 GHz Athlon X2 and 6 GB of ram and it is far slower.
As for doing a clean install, I love it on both Leopard and Windows. They both boot incredibly fast, however as with any operating system, as soon as software comes in, it gets slow.
Bad comparison with the processors
Then you will love this, this is the new jingle for Bing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9DBynJUCS4
More Microsoft marketing money well spent.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9DBynJUCS4
More Microsoft marketing money well spent.
Catchy. But I like this one better:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-0ujaGDUSw&NR=1
Warwagon, is he family...? :-P
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9DBynJUCS4
More Microsoft marketing money well spent.
They didn't make it.
In any case, there's much more to creative design than people realise, or want to think. No, it's not just a case of a guy sitting there with MS Paint.
Why certainly dear sir, he was merely posturing on the simple fact that the firm in question should have retained the first design they produced, and not this monstrosity, which is sure to scare children and the women folk.
Good day to you sir!
Good day to you sir!
Your verbosity is quaint, if woefully inadequate.
The gentlemen above was summarizing his musings of the portrayed emblem, and discerned that the hallmark presented incipiently gave a greater impression of an organization whose commission bore superlative consummation.
Now I implore you to occupy the remaining hours of the day attending to whichever tasks that you find the most enjoyable.
Good day to you sir!
Your verbosity is quaint, if woefully inadequate.
The gentlemen above was summarizing his musings of the portrayed emblem, and discerned that the hallmark presented incipiently gave a greater impression of an organization whose commission bore superlative consummation.
Now I implore you to occupy the remaining hours of the day attending to whichever tasks that you find the most enjoyable.
freaks :p
Good day to you sir!
Your verbosity is quaint, if woefully inadequate.
The gentlemen above was summarizing his musings of the portrayed emblem, and discerned that the hallmark presented incipiently gave a greater impression of an organization whose commission bore superlative consummation.
Now I implore you to occupy the remaining hours of the day attending to whichever tasks that you find the most enjoyable.
freaks :p
They are freaks for speaking English, I'm pretty sure that reading this forum and those comments, ensures you can at least understand BASIC ENGLISH??? Just because you don't have the cranial capacity to understand what either of the esteemed gentleman above have said, does not make them freaks. (snipped)
Last edited by GreyWolfSC on 10 Aug 2009 - 01:38
Good day to you sir!
Your verbosity is quaint, if woefully inadequate.
The gentlemen above was summarizing his musings of the portrayed emblem, and discerned that the hallmark presented incipiently gave a greater impression of an organization whose commission bore superlative consummation.
Now I implore you to occupy the remaining hours of the day attending to whichever tasks that you find the most enjoyable.
freaks :p
They are freaks for speaking English, I'm pretty sure that reading this forum and those comments, ensures you can at least understand BASIC ENGLISH??? Just because you don't have the cranial capacity to understand what either of the esteemed gentleman above have said, does not make them freaks. (snipped)
^ true freak
Last edited by GreyWolfSC on 10 Aug 2009 - 01:38
Good day to you sir!
Your verbosity is quaint, if woefully inadequate.
The gentlemen above was summarizing his musings of the portrayed emblem, and discerned that the hallmark presented incipiently gave a greater impression of an organization whose commission bore superlative consummation.
Now I implore you to occupy the remaining hours of the day attending to whichever tasks that you find the most enjoyable.
freaks :p
They are freaks for speaking English, I'm pretty sure that reading this forum and those comments, ensures you can at least understand BASIC ENGLISH??? Just because you don't have the cranial capacity to understand what either of the esteemed gentleman above have said, does not make them freaks. (snipped)
^ true freak
Thanks for a good LOL you guys
Last edited by GreyWolfSC on 10 Aug 2009 - 01:39
The gentleman above was summarizing his musings of the portrayed emblem, and discerned that the hallmark presented incipiently gave a greater impression of an organization whose commission bore superlative consummation.
Now I implore you to occupy the remaining hours of the day attending to whichever tasks that you find the most enjoyable.
I cannot stress enough the importance of grammar in situations like these. There is the possibility that you may have erroneously inserted an 'E' in the place of an 'A', thereby spelling the plural form 'Gentlemen', despite referring to only one person and the usage of the noun 'his' later on in your sentence, in any case I have taken the liberty to correct your mistake for you.
Have a pleasant day , sir!
Last edited by carmatic on 07 Aug 2009 - 22:20
Surprise everyone, lyonsie likes it. I am shocked, shocked to the very core of my being. Please tell us, when was the last thing of Microsoft that you disliked, or even just didn't completely love in everyway? No doubt you were an ardent supported of clipsy, Microsoft Bob, Vista, Windows ME, and MS-Dos 4.1.
Just kidding mate, you rock. And I will say that the logo fits in with the office 2007 branding.
You gotta be f**king kidding me.
Wow, some Microsoft design I actually like for once.
Now wouldn't that give you a headache fast.
I figured they would just use the windows flag.
"Ugly" is a strange term to use. What's ugly about it?
So what that it's simple? Many of the best logos are simple.
Astonishing! Dan Brown would be inspired!
Something I've always wondered - apple have enough core products that it makes it worthwhile having their own store. Microsoft has two MASSIVE software products (Windows + Office)but only a couple of major hardware products, the rest are relatively small and insignificant (mice, keyboards, etc.). But of that hardware, how much of it do they actually sell? I mean, they've got their fingers in a LOT of pies, that's for sure, but do they sell as many as Apple?
Presumably the store will be filled with hardware from all sorts of manufactures, but I'm just curious about Microsoft's own offerings.
Xbox 360
Zune HD
webcam
mice
keyboard
surface
software wise ,
Windows client and server
office
games (Halo series , Gear of war series , age of empires )
live subscription code
.....many more cant bother to think about them lool
battery packs
controllers
charge cables
A/V cables
faceplaces
messenger pads
headsets
wireless headsets
charge docks
MS point cards
After responding to a retard a few posts up about the English language and this one here about hardware with no retards or trolls (yet) it occurs I havent decided whether I like it or not.
It is without a doubt very recognisable as Windows/Microsoft for that there is no doubt, and going on past logo's allt he way upto the logo used in Office 2007 and the 2010 Tech preview I think IMO I can see the theory behind it being evolutionary. That's the only way it makes sense to me.
Its much simpler than the standard gradient soaked logos of the post web 2.0 boom. The true test of a well designed logo, is when it works as a very small mark on, for example, a letterhead as well as in large scale. I wish it was the basic four colors instead of the stepped tints. Still nice, very unexpected from microsoft...
The (XP) windows flag can.
The Office logo can
The Vista/7 Orb can
The Xbox Orb can
The IE logo can
... this... just looks like 4 squares.
It would be exponentially harder than normal to print this logo on T-Shirts, Hats, pens and other promotional material, and have it still be recognizable at a glance.
I guarantee there will be no staff uniforms with this logo on them in store.
Think about it though. EVERY major company or brand has a logo that stands on it's own when made monochromatic.
Apple (oops!)
Dell
HP
Sony
Google
Nintendo
LG
... and so on.
If the silhouette or profile of the logo isn't defining of a product, then it isn't a good logo, and that is why this fails.
Sources being??? Obviously every company opening a retail outlet uses it's chosen logo everywhere except on staff uniforms? Oh no wait a minute.......
The (XP) windows flag can.
The Office logo can
The Vista/7 Orb can
The Xbox Orb can
The IE logo can
... this... just looks like 4 squares.
It would be exponentially harder than normal to print this logo on T-Shirts, Hats, pens and other promotional material, and have it still be recognizable at a glance.
I guarantee there will be no staff uniforms with this logo on them in store.
Think about it though. EVERY major company or brand has a logo that stands on it's own when made monochromatic.
Apple (oops!)
Dell
HP
Sony
Google
Nintendo
LG
... and so on.
If the silhouette or profile of the logo isn't defining of a product, then it isn't a good logo, and that is why this fails.
I am well aware of the monochromatic/black rule of thumb, however there I see nothing wrong with simply having 4 black squares (with no color step obviously). The most timeless logos are ones with good type selection, no gimmicks, easy to read, and usually little to no detail.
I think the stepped coloring was a mistake, however its still a step in the right direction. I'd take this over the vista like gel button logo. That glossy look makes me want to punch a baby.
I think the stepped coloring was a mistake, however its still a step in the right direction. I'd take this over the vista like gel button logo. That glossy look makes me want to punch a baby.
Agreed.
My problem with 4 black squares is that they aren't unique enough to be instantly recognizable as the "microsoft store logo". Four squares in that configuration appears too often in other works, and the environment, to become solely associated with one particular brand in the mind of the consumer.
I would have varied the size of the squares (like the office logo), or something else of that nature. This would have retained the simple elegance of the logo, while making it unique enough for customers to associate instantly with the "microsoft store".
My problem with 4 black squares is that they aren't unique enough to be instantly recognizable as the "microsoft store logo". Four squares in that configuration appears too often in other works, and the environment, to become solely associated with one particular brand in the mind of the consumer.
I would have varied the size of the squares (like the office logo), or something else of that nature. This would have retained the simple elegance of the logo, while making it unique enough for customers to associate instantly with the "microsoft store".
guys, your forgetting that this logo will only be used for the stores... formal printed letters will be using the Microsoft logo , and brochures, leaflets, etc for the store would almost certainly be in colour... i think that this logo is less a logo in the traditional branding sense, and more of a signpost for the shop
Sauce: http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/...ade-by-devians/
Sauce: http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/...ade-by-devians/
WOW! all I can say... I'll use it for sure
It's an operating system, not an overrated movie.
but is it an overrated operating system?
Some people were expecting something more flashy or "complex" but most of the times, the best logos are the most simple.
Other than that, it's consistent with the general Microsoft branding so it's suitable for its purpose. I'm not too crash hot about the way it seems to emphasise primary colours though. That's what probably makes it look kiddy-ish, but then again that might have been what they were going for because the logo doesn't exactly scream 'corporate'.
Yes they do. It's just an optical illusion.
Apple uses the standard Apple logo for their stores. Apparently most Mac, iPod and iPhone users seem to comprehend it just fine that they're walking into a retail store and don't need a special logo for them to understand.
Well, the Apple logo is an image, not a word. The logo can stand for a "store" because people are less familiar with Apple, and it doesn't use words.
Putting up a big sign saying "Microsoft" doesn't let you interpret it as "Microsoft Store", because it is literally "Microsoft".
The result is a logo that is quickly recognizable (colors) as SOMETHING Microsoft related.
To me, it portrays an ecosystem of different, yet interacting components fitting together in harmonious continuity. (the even-stepped tonal variation within each square)
Hahaha! How's that for pretentious over-analysis!
Truth-be-told, a logo will represent different things to different people. If Microsoft wants to step into the consumer's eye in a big way, they will want to "neutral-ize" their image to shepherd anything they want to shove in our faces.
I feel this logo does that.
I suggest that it's only because there's stuff to be excited about. Apple have been all about the hype for years, but MS haven't been so much until more recent times.
And please don't go down the route implying that anyone who likes something MS/Apple does must be a fanboy. It's just annoying.
It stands out. It's cool. Everyone I've shown this logo too instantly asked if it had to do with Windows, and they're not even tech freaks like us.
I'm sorry, but this notion shows a complete lack of product awareness. It's a perfect square, a shape the Windows flag has never been in, making it (as one person said) more of a hybrid of Windows and Office logos.
It contains the colors of every division of MS product. There's also the somehow-forgotten reality that these other products all run on a Windows platform in the first place. Isn't Xbox running on a version of Windows?
Don't Media Center remotes have a Windows logo on them?
Windows Mobile...if that needs to be explained, there's just no hope for you.
Keyboards! They've had a logo key since the 90s!
God, these comments areas are starting to feel like Youtube.
Sooo ugly.
Ladies and Gentlefolk... Start your shopping!!! (er drawing)
Their Office logo is better!
Even if it is most people aren't going to say "Oh that logo looks like crap, better not go in that store!"
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