Microsoft 365 App Icon Redesign: A Fresh Look After Seven Years
Microsoft has recently unveiled a significant redesign of the icons for its Microsoft 365 applications. This marks the first major update in seven years, infusing modern aesthetics into the well-known Office suite. The design team embarked on a creative journey, exploring multiple iterations and concepts before finalizing the new icons, which are currently available to Microsoft 365 Insiders.
A Glimpse Behind the Design Process
To provide insights into the creative journey, Microsoft shared “behind the scenes”moments showcasing the design evolution of three core Office applications: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. This was prominently featured on their official Microsoft Design Instagram profile, illustrating the refinement journey through six rejected variants for each iconic icon.
Evolution of Icon Design
Historically, the icons for Office applications were designed with a dual-component approach that combined a letter and a representation of a document, slide, or spreadsheet. However, during the redesign, Microsoft explored unconventional designs, including options that eliminated letters entirely, opting instead for bold, single-letter representations.
Timeline of Word Icon Evolution
As part of the redesign rollout, Microsoft presented a timeline tracking the evolution of the Word icon from its inception in 2003 to its latest update in 2025. This timeline highlights the app’s journey through various design philosophies, transitioning from simple skeuomorphic elements to more refined, “fluent”designs, reflecting a continuous evolution in aesthetic and usability.
Availability of New Icons
The rollout of the new Microsoft 365 icons is currently underway. Users enrolled in the Microsoft 365 Insider program can already access these icons on desktop, while mobile Insiders are testing an alternative set featuring letter-less designs. Moreover, some applications, such as OneDrive for Windows, have already embraced the new icon aesthetics, and users can observe the updated iconography across various Microsoft websites, including the portal for managing Microsoft Accounts.
Further Redesign Developments
In addition to the icon update, Microsoft has recently announced a comprehensive upgrade to the Start menu in Windows 11, which is expected to be rolled out to all users soon. The company also shared prototypes that inspired the final version, showcasing its commitment to improving user experience across its platforms.
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