Google is preparing new icons for more than 10 applications. Some will change beyond recognition

In recent months, Google has been gradually changing the appearance of the icons for its most important applications. While for Maps, Photos, and Search, it was essentially just a transition to a gradient design (meaning it uses smooth color transitions) with practically the same shape, for other applications in the Workspace suite, a noticeably more drastic intervention is planned. And some logos will truly change beyond recognition.

The 9to5Google server, citing sources familiar with the company’s plans, reports that Google has finally decided to address the biggest criticism of the current generation of icons. Users have condemned them since the 2020 redesign primarily because they are difficult to distinguish at a glance – all of them use the same combination of four corporate colors and a very similar shape.

Docs, Slides, Sheets: more vibrant thanks to color gradients

The new visual style works with two main lines. The first is the already mentioned gradient effect, which the company started with the AI assistant Gemini and is gradually expanding across its portfolio. It looks more modern and is intended to reflect the presence of artificial intelligence. For Docs, Slides, or Sheets, where Google previously relied on one dominant color, this will make the icons look more vibrant.

Another change for many applications will be the abandonment of the rule for using four corporate colors (with the exception of Gmail). This will be evident, for example, in Drive or Google Meet.

Which icons will undergo the biggest transformation?

The Google Drive icon will lose its red color and take on the form of a rounded triangle with a green, yellow, and blue gradient. Docs will retain the vertical sheet of paper, but Sheets and Slides will cleverly rotate to landscape orientation to visually match how they are actually used.

Perhaps the most significant change will be for Google Meet, whose video camera will now be predominantly yellow – though the reason for this choice is not entirely clear. Google Chat has taken on the form of a green, pill-shaped bubble with a smile, which seems like a nod to the once-popular Hangouts. Calendar, in turn, returns to a tear-off desk calendar reminder with the return of classic blue, while Keep abandons the paper background and highlights a detailed lightbulb.

Gmail jako jediná z nových ikon zachová všechny čtyři Google barvy, jak jsem již uvedl výše. Tvar písmene M ve formě obálky se mírně zaobluje, ale celkově zůstává podobný současné podobě. Změny dále čekají také aplikace Úkoly, Voice, Formuláře a Sites, byť v jejich případě jde spíše o jemnější úpravy.

Google is preparing new icons for more than 10 applications. Some will change beyond recognition Adam Kurfürst News Adam Kurfürst News

When the new icons will reach users is not yet clear. However, given the scope of the changes, it can be expected that Google will roll out the redesign gradually – just as it did with the previous transformations of Search and Maps.

Do you like the new look of Google icons?

Source: 9to5Google