The old logo is SketchUp’s identity. To me, a significant logo change symbolizes a significant change in identity. Unless there will be significant changes coming soon to the program, they’re spending energy on fixing non-problems (while SketchUp has a few real problems).
In the blog, SketchUp says the new logo symbolizes their growing partnership with Trimble. It just doesn’t make sense to change the logo almost 9 years after Trimble bought SketchUp. It would’ve made more sense to change the logo in 2012 or 2013.
If someone wore a shirt with the new SketchUp logo, even SketchUp users might not even recognize the brand. Despite it making things look cool, redesigning logos & tool icons (on the web version) makes people have to relearn everything. Sometimes it’s necessary, but I think there was nothing wrong with the old logo.
Regarding style, the intricacy of the logo contrasts SketchUp’s core strength, which is simplicity. Complexity isn’t a prerequisite for a powerful application. It’s only a hinderance that distracts from people’s projects.
I like how they chose blue over red. I remember reading a study where blue light promotes thought, while red light can lower test scores (outside of our awareness). It’s kind of trippy to think about, but I guess it makes sense considering life evolved in blue light underwater billions of years ago, so maybe we evolved to use blue light more efficiently than red light. Idk.
I think the takeaway is: The new logo has a nice color, but I don’t really like the shape & I think the blog gave faulty reasoning behind why the logo needed such a drastic change. Although, if they’re planning on changing the program & it’s name beyond recognition soon, then the logo change would make total sense.
I don’t think the new logo looks bad but the old logo has been around so long it’s weird to dramatically change it to a geometry that does not even the resemble the old logo in the slightest. I’m sure many would argue the other side of the coin. Personally I would have gone with a more subtle change to the actual shape of the logo and perhaps switch to blue from red showing the growing partnership with Trimble.
It’s not the end of the world but it will take a bit to get used to it.
Oke I did look at it for 3 minutes, so I won’t look closely at it anymore in 2020-2023.
About the small Finder/Navigator ( macOS/Win ) Icons they are smeared to a blue/gray shape, its not a logo any more, its just something.
Now a new user or someone with ( a lot of ) applications have to search for a gray/blue something.
The bigger logo’s do have a nice design if you take the time to look at it. But the value of al this work is nihil. Again, after the 3 minutes figuring out what it should be no extra value for the SU eco-system.
My verdict, neat for the bigger icons but has no design value. But wasted time.
Moreover, the original logo was in perspective, not isometric, which spoke to the working mode SketchUp is best at. Also, the animated version demonstrated the Push-Pull tool which is the program’s initial and most memorable feature. It’s hard to come up with a better logo than that.
I’m a big fan of ambiguous figures, but I really struggled trying to make sense of this one without being instructed first.
I am not much exercised by the change of logo personally. However, I did find it odd to receive an email in my inbox today that had the old one! Top right.
I was in the process of alerting the authorities, but in checking we all don’t have that icon in the upper right. What email client are you using, and do you have Contacts, where you might have set the icon that appears?
Well, Colin, this is technology so it’s all completely rational - until it isn’t. We’ll probably never get to the bottom of it. But if I am the only “sufferer”, no harm done!
Looks like you’ve got SketchUp saved as a contact, @simoncbevans and our old logo is set as the image. If you want to stay retro, that’s just fine with us.
