LogInThe only difference is that a gradient has been added to replace the distinct boundaries between the colors, a change that could cost millions.
Google, a brand whose products have infiltrated our daily lives and made us almost unable to live without them, has just released an update to its iconic "G" logo, which is its first update in nearly a decade.
As noted by a sharp-eyed editor at 9to5Google, the formerly separate color sections now blend into one another through the newly introduced gradient, so now a smooth transition replaces the distinct boundaries between the colors. The logo of the Google app for iOS has been updated with a patch released on May 12.
The most interesting part of this news begins when we start to investigate the potential cost of this tiny, if not minimal, change that tests users' eyesight and the following rebranding campaign.
Big companies don't often redesign their logos, but when they do, it can be expensive beyond anticipation. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) invested $1.8 million in 1997 in the new simplified logo and another $7 million in 2022 in rebranding.
There were also some harsh failures on that front, like Tropicana's estimated $35 million going down the drain when its logo and packaging got redesigned in 2009 and later reverted due to customer backlash. The same happened to GAP, which spent a staggering $100 million when changing its iconic logo, but had to restore the previous version only a week after because of negative feedback.
Although Google hasn't disclosed the cost of this redesign, these previous instances may provide a clue. But for a company as wealthy as Google, either $1.8 million or $100 million is all the same – pocket change.
So, what do you think of this new "G" logo? Let us know in the comments and don't forget to join our 80 Level Talent platform and our new Discord server, follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Telegram, TikTok, and Threads, where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.