Microsoft is reportedly testing a new 3D design for its Office app icons, sparking a heated debate. The icons are the first to be changed since 2018, and were first revealed to the public in early April via an email survey sent to some users.
The new icons emphasize three-dimensional shapes and hierarchical structures, reflecting the Fluent 2 design language introduced in Windows 11, such as the 3D emoji style. They use more colorful gradients and shadows than before to emphasize the visual individuality of each app, but this has also led to criticism that they are overly complex.
Some users welcomed the end of the flat design era. One user said, “It seems like we’re finally getting away from the boring flat design.” On the other hand, another user pointed out, “The icons that were intuitively understandable before are now confusing.” For example, the old PowerPoint icon symbolized a clear circular chart, but the new icon is said to be confusing because it has changed to an abstract form.
This design change has not been officially announced yet, and Microsoft is considering revising or withdrawing it based on user feedback. In addition to the opinions gathered through the survey, the company is also facing unexpected reactions as public opinion spreads about the images released through social media.
Some argue that “Office app icons no longer need to intuitively convey meaning.” This is because many users can already recognize each app by color and the first letter alone, so visual beauty and brand consistency are more important.
Icons are more than just a means of entering an app; they are a core element of a brand image. This debate over design changes is ultimately reminding us of the essential task of design: balancing usability, emotion, and brand identity. It will be interesting to see what Microsoft decides.
