Google Breaks Web 2.0 Logo Design Trend

March 19, 2011

Over the past decade, more and more companies have been investing in logo redesigns in order to create logos that seems more modern and digital. The glossy, 3-dimensional redesigns have been called the Web 2.0 logo redesign trend. However, that trend might be coming to an end if a new design for Google’s Chrome brand is a sign of things to come.

The Brand New reports that the new logo was first sighted on Google’s Chromium site earlier this year. It’s expected that the logo will eventually make it’s way to other Chrome-branded sites, services, and products.

The highly-stylized Web 2.0 Chrome logo debuted when Google’s web browser was launched in 2008. Two sides of the new Chrome logo debate are forming. One side likes the change to the simply style and matte colors, while the other thinks the new logo is a step backwards.

I have to admit that I’m on the side of this debate that prefers the new, simpler design, and it performs slightly better in a one-color test. I’ve never been a fan of the Web 2.0 logo redesign trend, so my curiosity was piqued when I heard about this new Chrome logo. However, it still includes shading and color use that implies the 3-D, Web 2.0 trend. In other words, Google couldn’t completely get away from the Web 2.0 logo design trend in this new attempt.

It will be interesting to see if Google goes through with rolling out this new logo. And if Google does replace its Web 2.0 Chrome logo design with a simpler version, will it be the first in a new logo design trend? Will other brands ditch the Web 2.0 glitz, too?

Only time will tell. What do you think of the Web 2.0, 3-dimensional logo design trend? Love it? Hate it? Has it run its course? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.

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Susan Gunelius

President & CEO at KeySplash Creative, Inc.

Susan Gunelius is the author of multiple marketing, social media, branding, copywriting, and blogging books, and she is President & CEO of KeySplash Creative, Inc., a marketing communications company. She also owns Women on Business, a leading blog for business women. She is a featured columnist for Entrepreneur.com, a featured writer for Forbes.com, and the Guide to Blogging for About.com. Additionally, her marketing-related articles have appeared on websites such as MSNBC.com, FoxBusiness.com, WashingtonPost.com, TheStreet.com, SmartMoney.com, TodayShow.com, BusinessWeek.com, Yahoo! Finance, Yahoo! Small Business, and more. She has nearly 20 years of experience in the marketing field having spent the first decade of her career directing marketing programs for some of the largest companies in the world, including divisions of AT&T and HSBC. Susan also appears at in-person and virtual events where she speaks about marketing, branding, social media, and more (visit www.SusanGunelius.com for more information). You can connect with her on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.