Google is revamping its software ecosystem with a new vibrant and playful visual identity as technology firms increasingly focus on artificial intelligence (AI). The company is expanding a gradient-based icon design to more of its apps, moving away from the uniform circular style that had been prevalent in its services over the past decade. The updated icons now feature softer gradients, rounded edges, and diverse shapes, aligning with the visual language seen in products like Google Maps, Google Photos, and Gemini.
The new designs emphasize color transitions by blending pastel tones with brighter versions of Google’s primary colors. This design approach reflects a broader trend in technology design, shifting from the flat and simplistic aesthetics of the late 2010s and early 2020s towards more expressive and visually layered interfaces.
Productivity tools such as Google Sheets, Google Slides, Google Forms, Google Sites, and Google Keep are also moving away from the traditional “sheet of paper” motif associated with Google Workspace-era branding. For example, Google Chat now sports a predominantly green icon, departing from the multicolored speech bubble outline and harking back to earlier branding associated with Google Hangouts.
This redesign comes after Google’s decision in 2025 to update its iconic four-color “G” logo with brighter hues and a gradient effect. The company stated that this refreshed design reflects its evolution in the AI era while preserving the familiar four-color identity linked to the brand.
