Microsoft redefines Office 365 application icons for the first time since 2013

Microsoft has announced a major refresh of its Microsoft Office icons on all platforms. The latest redesign took place in 2013 with the launch of Office 2013 for Windows. Office 2019 was released a few weeks ago with the same old icons.

Microsoft has created new icons for its core Office applications such as Word, Excel, Powerpoint, OneNote, and Outlook, but the new design also includes Office 365 applications such as SharePoint and Microsoft Teams, as well as "prosumer" applications such as Skype . Jon Friedman, head of Microsoft Office Design, explained the logic behind the new icons in a blog post:

Our design solution was to decouple the letter and symbol into icons, basically creating two panels (one for the letter and one for the symbol) that we can pair or separate. This allows us to maintain familiarity while emphasizing simplicity within the application.

Separating these panels into two panels also adds depth, creating opportunities in 3D contexts. Thanks to this flexible system, we maintain tradition while gently pushing the envelope.

Microsoft says the new Office icons will be deployed on all platforms in the coming months, starting with mobile and web technologies, and that this is part of a "journey in progress". In addition to new icons, Microsoft is also planning to reorganize Office experience on all platforms with a remodeled ribbon and other minor changes. Back at its Ignite conference in September, Microsoft also announced a major overhaul of its Outlook Mobile iOS app.

Friedman's blog did not mention it today, but it seems that Microsoft could also refresh the icons of most of its Windows 10 stored applications, such as Mail and Calendar, Photos, Calculator, and so on. We've spotted the redrawn icons in a mock-up image included in Friedman's blog, and you can see them in the enlarged version below:

We do not know yet when or even if these new icons will actually be delivered to users of Windows 10, but this is an interesting change. These are a bit more colorful compared to the essentially white and simplistic icons we have today, and there is a sense of consistency when you see them next to the new Office icons. Let us know in the comments what you think of all these new icons.

Additional Reading: Excel, Icons, Office, Office 365, OneDrive, PowerPoint, Skype, Word