The Kinect logo’s simple and modern design evokes a sense of dynamism and freedom. It emphasizes the ease of interaction and focuses on the vivid impressions created by every movement. The image is associated with energy, creativity, and passion for the process.
Kinect: Brand overview
Microsoft developed Kinect, a groundbreaking motion-sensing input device for the Xbox 360 and Xbox One gaming consoles. The project was unveiled to the public in 2009 under the codename “Project Natal” and was officially launched in 2010.
Kinect offered a unique gaming experience by enabling players to engage with the Xbox console using physical movements, gestures, and voice commands, eliminating the necessity for a traditional game controller. This innovative device helped popularize depth sensor technology and full-body 3D motion capture in consumer electronics.
The original Kinect for Xbox 360 was equipped with an RGB camera, a depth sensor, and a multi-array microphone, facilitating both motion and voice controls. An enhanced version of the Xbox One was launched in 2013, boasting a higher resolution RGB camera and an advanced time-of-flight depth sensor.
Kinect’s groundbreaking features included facial recognition, voice commands, and simultaneous motion tracking for up to six individuals. These capabilities paved the way for new full-body motion-controlled games, such as dance and fitness games and motion sports.
Despite facing a decline in sales and usage due to a lack of supporting games and applications, Kinect marked a milestone in consumer electronics by setting a Guinness World Record as the “fastest selling consumer electronics device” after selling eight million units within the first 60 days of its launch.
Microsoft has since repositioned the Kinect technology for industrial applications beyond gaming, including robotics and medical imaging.
Meaning and History
What is Kinect?
This additional controller for the Xbox gaming console allows users to interact with games through voice commands and body movements instead of the traditional gamepad. Equipped with a color camera, infrared projector, depth sensor, and microphones, it can simultaneously track the movements of up to six players. One unique feature of the device is its ability to recognize gestures, body position, and the player’s face in three dimensions. A large library of games has been created for it, including virtual learning applications, fitness programs, and dance, sports, and entertainment software. A PC controller version is also available, enabling developers to create robotics, education, and medicine applications.
2009 – 2010
2010 – 2017
The Kinect logo consists of the brand name rendered in large letters in a light shade of purple. The letters were uniform, geometric, and symmetrical, creating a sense of strength and stability. The tightly spaced characters gave the text a bold and expressive appearance.
The typeface, free of unnecessary elements, belonged to the grotesque group, with clean and geometric shapes. It resembled the Informa Pro Bold typeface by Canada Type, though it was custom-modified to include distinctive features. The purple shade added freshness and a sense of relevance to the logo.
The design avoided complex details, making the inscription feel accessible and modern. The crisp lines of the characters conveyed technical precision and confidence, aligning well with a device designed for gaming interaction through voice and gestures.
The name Kinect is derived from the words “kinetic” (motion) and “connect,” representing interaction between the user and the virtual environment. The light purple tone and geometric typeface aligned with the advanced technology concept and the device’s durability.