Google’s new Dr Seuss look
Google recently replaced their “big G” favicon with a “little g”. At the same time, they made it transparent, which I think was probably a mistake because it doesn’t look consistent and is hard to read against some backgrounds.
The “little g” is has a kind of archaic, quirky feel. While its used a lot in print, the “looptail” version its not so common in screen fonts which I guess makes it distinctive. Unfortunately, I’m immediately reminded of the typography of Dr Seuss.
Now this is not necessarily a bad thing, but I wonder if that’s what they intended.
Update: The Official Google Blog shows some of the 300 designs they tried. It also confirms the Dr Seuss connection - maybe there’s a fan in the design team. Personally, I think the old one was fine - its immediately recognisable which is all a favicon should be. For the disgruntled, there’s a campaign to bring back the old Google favicon. Or if you have a better idea, Google are inviting submissions.
Update: Google changed their favicon again, after reviewing suggestions from their users. The final design is based on one submitted by André Resende, a computer science undergraduate student at the University of Campinas in Brazil.
Myles Eftos:
I absolutely hate it.
And it dilutes their branding. Maybe I’ll get used to it, I don’t know - but the old one was much more recognisable to those that don’t see it as much is I do.
19 June 2008, 7:01 pmStewart:
If you believe the official statement (reported at Search Engine Roundtable) they’re trying to re-brand themselves to appear more “playful”. I guess if you have as much power as they do, it helps for people to see you as “nice guys” rather than a potential threat to civilisation as we know it.
I’m not sure they’ve achieved “unique” - after all, its just a blue “g”. But in time I’m sure the association will come:
“Big G, little g, what begins with G?”
(hint: its not “googoo goggles”, apologies to Dr Seuss)
20 June 2008, 1:59 pm