A new Google logo goes live

06 May 2010 | 3

From today it seems the almighty Google has started rolling out a slightly new version of it’s logo.

The most noticeable change is the amount of drop-shadow being employed by the logo. The drop-shadow, is often the one thing that designers detest when talking about the Google logo because it’s most often associated with non-designers and tends to be the first thing people do when they get their hands on a copy of Photoshop™. (It also has reproduction issues which we will cover in a separate topic)

Also toned down are the bevel and emboss effects. The highlights have been dimmed and the shadows lightened – the overall result is a much more traditional logotype, with less cheesy effects.

I would guess that the idea here is to gradually tidy the logo up over a period of years – it’s already gone through quite a few revisions and they seem to be leading to a more functional and corporate logo.

3 Comments | Permalink

Mark Tester says:

May 18, 2010 at 7:00 am

Yes, I noticed this too. And how much better the new version looks – or perhaps we are just tired of seeing drop shadow applied to everything! Its become cliche, a fashion accessory that, like all fashionable items, soon loses its appeal and turns the ‘hip ‘n happnin’ into something dull and dated. I’ve nothing against the humble drop shadow but I think it should be used with a little more discretion and forethought.

BTW I like the site; clean, crisp and uncluttered! Thanks.