The Microsoft-style emblem promises the user the high quality and reliability that distinguishes all the company’s services. The Microsoft Azure logo opens up the multitasking of the cloud service and invites people in business, creative people, and individuals to use it.
Microsoft Azure: Brand overview
Founded: | October 27, 2008 |
Founder: | Microsoft |
Headquarters: |
United States |
Website: | azure.microsoft.com |
Meaning and History
During its existence, the cloud platform has changed several names. She was initially known as Project Red Dog, but that was only a codename. The official name, introduced after the 2010 release, became much simpler: Windows Azure. The startup was finally renamed in 2014. This is how Microsoft Azure appeared in the form in which it is now known.
It is worth noting that the cloud changed not only names but also logos. They are all in line with Microsoft products’ style because the parent company cares about personal identity integrity.
What is the Microsoft Azure?
It is a cloud-based platform. It allows you to develop, interact with applications, and store information on remote servers. The service supports a wide variety of programming languages. She first appeared in 2008 as Project Red Dog. In 2010, the service changed its name to Windows Azure and was opened for access. It received its current name in 2014.
2010 – 2011
The newly created platform used the Windows wave-shaped flag icon as its logo. It was light blue and had a radial gradient to white. On the right were the words “Windows Azure,” and the words looked like they were written together. The black round sans serif font was the same as other Microsoft services.
2011 – 2012
The cloud computing service logo was designed in the style of the parent company – strict, practical, without unnecessary details. The only element was the corporate flag, made up of a window with four compartments. A wavy shape distinguished it with winding edges. The rectangles on the left side were curved upward, on the right – downward, which created the “wave” effect. The icon was painted sky blue, while the adjacent text was black. The designers used a sleek and subtle grotesque for her.
2012 – 2014
In 2012, the logo began to look more modern. The designers made the flag three-dimensional and shaped it into a four-trapezoidal window. The light blue color has not changed – on the contrary; it has switched to the inscription. At the same time, the space between words increased slightly.
2014 – 2017
When the cloud services set was renamed to Microsoft Azure, the checkbox (the main symbol of Windows) disappeared. Only the name remained, which was written in the traditional grotesque using blue.
2017 – 2018
In 2017, a new platform manifesto was released, and along with it – a modified logo, an image of two asymmetric figures. On the right, as before, is the cloud’s name, but now it is abbreviated to the word “Azure.” The color has become much darker.
The Microsoft Azure collection of services can be recognized by the logo, consisting of two complex polygons. Its design is very similar to the style of Microsoft Office icons. Also, the graphic element vaguely resembles the capital letter “A.” But this is not an obvious association: in most cases, figures are perceived as an unusual and meaningless abstraction.
Typography choices follow Microsoft’s visual identity, which is why the word “Azure” is spelled out in the typeface Segoe. This font was developed in 1975 and is owned by Monotype Imaging Corporation. It is very similar to Adria Grotesk Light, Mr Eaves XL Modern Regular, and Quiet Sans Light. It is worth noting that Microsoft just bought a license for Segoe, which means that neither it nor its products can boast its original identity. Countless other brands in the world use the same typeface for their logos.
The color scheme is also non-unique. The abstract figures and the lettering are painted in a deep blue-blue hue (# 005bdb). Previously, it was replaced by a lighter azure color. Despite this, Microsoft Azure has a very recognizable style and stands out from other cloud platforms.
2018 – today
The current version consists of a branded window assembled from squares of different colors, which reflect the directions of the parent company’s software products. The top row is occupied by red and green; the bottom row is occupied by blue and orange-yellow. The text has also changed. Now, instead of elongated black letters, squat grays are used.
2021 – today
The updated logo is shaped like a wide azure triangular ribbon. One side is straight, and the other is curved. This sign demonstrates the flexibility of adapting the program to clients’ needs. Moreover, the part bent inward makes the graphic sign look like the letter “A” from the word Azure: it replaces its crossbar. In this way, Microsoft emphasizes the relationship of its application with the Fluent Design System service. All corners of the emblem are rounded. The inner planes are colored dark blue; the outer ones are blue. In the very center is a tall white triangle formed by joining the three edges of the tape.
Font and Colors
After updating the logo, the inscription is made with one of the varieties of Helvetica Bold Italic. It is a flat sans serif with classic printed characters. The proprietary connection of the crossbars “f” and “t” has been retained. But the color of the emblem has changed significantly: now blue, red, orange, green, and gray prevail.
Microsoft Azure color codes
Vivid Sky Blue | Hex color: | #39cbf4 |
---|---|---|
RGB: | 57 203 244/td> | |
CMYK: | 77 17 0 4 | |
Pantone: | PMS 305 C |
Celestial Blue | Hex color: | #2496e1 |
---|---|---|
RGB: | 36 150 225 | |
CMYK: | 84 33 0 12 | |
Pantone: | PMS 279 C |
French Blue | Hex color: | #0079d5 |
---|---|---|
RGB: | 0 121 213 | |
CMYK: | 100 43 0 16 | |
Pantone: | PMS 2727 C |
Bright Navy Blue | Hex color: | #0167ba |
---|---|---|
RGB: | 1 103 186 | |
CMYK: | 99 45 0 27 | |
Pantone: | PMS 285 C |
Safety Blue | Hex color: | #074688 |
---|---|---|
RGB: | 7 70 136 | |
CMYK: | 95 49 0 47 | |
Pantone: | PMS 7686 C |
What does the Microsoft Azure logo mean?
The current Microsoft Azure logo means the ease of use of the cloud platform, the unity of all processes, and the continuity of work procedures. In addition, it reflects the parent company’s product name, which begins with an A, as that letter is represented in the logo.
What is the Microsoft Azure logo?
The Microsoft Azure logo combines Microsoft style with the concept of a cloud service. The modern version of the logo, which the company switched to in 2021, is sleek, clean, and highly aesthetic. It is a solid but wide, curved band, reminiscent of the “A” – the first letter of the platform’s name. The icon is painted in the pastel palette’s deep light blue color.
What is the font of the Microsoft Azure logo?
Different fonts were used in the Microsoft Azure logo over the years, but all of them were united by simplicity, subtlety, evenness, and grace of sans serif letters. At first, the inscriptions were made in the Segoe brand typeface. Then came the Helvetica Bold Italic font.