Announcing the New .NET Logo!

Microsoft .NET has become an incredible success in the years since it was first announced in June 2000. More than 4 million developers around the world are using .NET to build amazing software and rich, compelling Web experiences. And the momentum for .NET continues to grow with the release of the .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 last summer and the upcoming .NET Framework 4 release. Conservative estimates from internal research indicate that over 70% of PC’s have a version of .Net already installed!

Given the success of .NET in the marketplace it is kind of a 'right time to create a new loto to this amazing technology. This new logo was first announced in PDC last week.

Why the New Logo and Brand Identity Were Developed
Why change? The original .NET logo was designed just before Forum 2000. It was designed to be attached to other Microsoft brands as a suffix. The result was a logo that did not stand well on its own and lacked impact.

It needed a logo that was in sync with the key values of the technology: consistency, robustness and great user experiences. Also wanted a logo that conformed to the design principles that are driving Microsoft’s brand identity evolution and is reflected in newer brands such as Silverlight, Surface and ‘Strata.’ Finally, a logo that is more strongly aligned with the portfolio of brands that .NET is most strongly aligned with: Silverlight, Visual Studio and the AppPlat server products was needed.

The result is a design that is being referred to as the “wave.” The design is strong, simple and distinctive. The suggestion of the letter ‘N’ in the design will become instantly recognizable over time as shorthand for the .NET brand name.