17 comments

  • Will BakerWill Baker, 8 years ago

    But they kept the logo?! You've got to be fucking kidding me. That gloopy Wifi symbol is one of the ugliest identity marks I have ever had to see over

    and over

    and over again.

    7 points
    • Spencer HoltawaySpencer Holtaway, 8 years ago

      I was going to say, at least redraw it so it looks less.. well...... yeah.

      1 point
    • Sam MularczykSam Mularczyk, 8 years ago

      It has huge brand equity now though. Spotify is ridculously popular, and a logo change for such an entrenched app isn't so simple. People are used to hitting this icon on both their own and friends' homescreens... even small adjustments could hurt recognition.

      3 points
      • Sebastiaan de WithSebastiaan de With, 8 years ago

        This is such a load of baloney that comes straight out of marketing and boardroom FUD campaigns. Many brands tweaked their brand to be equally recognizable, but graphically better or different:

        • UPS (arguably not 'better'; I preferred the Rand logo. But, more modern)
        • Apple (sub-brands: iCloud, iTunes)
        • Marriott
        • Holiday Inn
        • Black & Decker
        • Pandora
        • Facebook

        And you are telling me Spotify couldn't? Please. This was the one best time, arguably, to change the logo and redraw it to better fit the moniker of 'music company', and it's STILL a generic bubble with a bunch of poorly drawn wi-fi signal bars.

        2 points
        • Sam MularczykSam Mularczyk, 8 years ago (edited 8 years ago )

          Agreed! But the history of the brand is important.

          A drastic change is a bit of a risk to take - especially in this case, when this icon is pretty much the only graphical representation of their product. Until now, Spotify's only had its iconic green - they've chopped and changed their interface and type choice so many times that this is the only thing that's remained consistent.

          Here in Australia - and all over Europe - Spotify runs massive print campaigns, sponsors music festivals and is used by mobile carriers as an incentive to sign up for data plans. An icon change would kill instant recognisation at this point, especially when Spotify is almost at critical mass. Plus, Spotify's userbase is already pretty pissed with their UI/UX decisions (see /r/spotify) - this'd just add unneccessary flames to the fire.

          The examples you gave are great ones, but are generally extremely established brands, not necessarily things you use every day. The exceptions (iTunes, iCloud, Facebook) did not made dramatic changes to their iconography after they accrued a similar userbase. Excluding iTunes of course; it still uses the music note, but went through a lot of colour/composition changes.

          I completely agree that the icon makes no sense, and could be changed, but why take that risk when you have millions of users - especially some that aren't so tech savvy? Suddenly changing an icon on all of their homescreens would mess shit up for a lot of people, especially older generations.

          A gradual evolution would be best, but I can't see what small changes would make it more like a music company. I'm not an expert, though. IMO, they should've changed it years ago when they transitioned from this...

          0 points
  • Charlie SneathCharlie Sneath, 8 years ago (edited 8 years ago )

    This feels more similar to the aesthetic and visual language of Rdio's advertising assets.

    Examples: Billboards and Rdio Sessions

    4 points
    • Kevin Chang, 8 years ago (edited 8 years ago )

      totally agree. I wish rdio were more popular, their design and UI are much more engaging than the competition.

      2 points
  • Kyle DonmoyerKyle Donmoyer, 8 years ago (edited 8 years ago )

    SOOOOO BOLD

    3 points
  • Michael Nino EvensenMichael Nino Evensen, 8 years ago

    The only thing I want to add here (given that most of us are designers). Please, just please let's try to be a bit more original in terms of typeface choices, let's not just all default to Circular. Sure it's a lovely typeface but it's become a bit of a "standard" typeface for rebranding nowadays and I'm getting a bit sick of seeing it everywhere - there are so many lovely sans alternatives!

    1 point
    • Brian A.Brian A., 8 years ago

      I guess I haven't been looking that closely, but I don't think I've seen it too many places. I absolutely love Circular, but I don't think it works with their brand.

      0 points
    • Sam MularczykSam Mularczyk, 8 years ago

      Spotify's always gone with established type. First Helvetica, Proxima Nova, now Circular. Will admit, it looks fine... but so many other alternatives would've been nicer.

      0 points
  • Gina RodriguezGina Rodriguez, 8 years ago

    so much bold? i'm pretty underwhelmed

    1 point
  • Andric ThamAndric Tham, 8 years ago

    I wonder if that Colorizer app will be open sourced? Is there a similar app/tool?

    0 points
  • Shawn BorskyShawn Borsky, 8 years ago

    Looks nice. What's bold about it?

    0 points