Microsoft is revamping the look of its product illustrations with an emphasis on playful three-dimensionality. The update is a part of its Fluent Design initiative, which seeks to enhance the expressiveness of visuals in line with Microsoft’s brand ethos.
Shift from Flat to Voluminous
Previously, Microsoft’s illustrations featured a flat design that was prevalent in tools like Teams, Skype, and Office. While this style was colorful and inclusive, the design team often felt it lacked emotional impact. With the new direction, lively colors and dynamic shapes have been adopted, reintroducing elements of skeuomorphism, where virtual designs mimic physical objects.
The revamped illustrations aim to provide a cohesive aesthetic across Microsoft’s offerings. By leveraging components from the Fluent design system, the new style emphasizes softer edges and curved lines inspired by nature. The update also seeks to prevent repetitiveness by ensuring the visual elements align better with text and interface components.
Key Design Concepts
Five fundamental principles shape Microsoft’s new design vision: humanity, color and gradients, depth, elegance, and a sense of play. Principles are meant to adapt to different user contexts. Previous designs often confused users by duplicating text information, increasing cognitive load. The refreshed visuals strive to align better with the overall user experience, reducing confusion.
Microsoft plans to update illustrations across its entire suite of software in the coming months. This ongoing refinement may lead to additional tweaks to the design system. According to the company, the team intends to create a consistent visual theme by utilizing more general-purpose illustrations across applications, achieved through reusable Fluent iconography.
Although Microsoft hasn’t detailed the specific rollout schedule for these illustrations, signs point to an upcoming integration into various apps and the operating system. With the company showing assurance in this visual strategy, the public may soon see these changes reflected in the software they utilize. The new design elements could change the way Windows looks, and may be a pointer towards the visuals of Windows 12.
Last Updated on November 7, 2024 2:45 pm CET