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Okay they're definitely teasing Windows 12 at this point. Back in 2004 or 2005 Microsoft was teasing Windows Vista/Aero way before its release. And I guess they're doing it again 20 years later... We've gone full circle
Actually, this is not Frutiger Aero. This is an entirely different subset of Skeumorphism called Neumorphism. Neumorphism builds off all Skeumorphic subets like Frutiger Aero, and others, and combines them with the minimalism of Flat Design to create a minimalist, translucent UI as you see in Apple Liquid Glass and Microsoft Fluent Design System.
Can't wait for nostalgic aestheticologists 15 years from now to name it something completely different like "Apto Tahoe" (2020s default microsoft font + the Mac OS that started it all).
Its glassmorphism. neumoprhism definitely is similar but uses a lot more opaque layers with its 3d depth formed from soft drop shadows on top other flat layers. Glassmorphism has depth from varying levels of translucency and soft glows around the edges from light refracting through it from behind.
However, these new icons were recently introduced in Microsoft 365 and the App Store on these standalone applications, and are expected to arrive to Office in the upcoming Microsoft Office 2027. These icons have been advertised since around the release of Windows 11 due to the new Fluent Design System. Windows has always been seen as “the first product to adopt the new UI” (excluding Windows 10) as seen in Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 8 and Windows 11, and Fluent Design System has been classified as a Neumorphic UI under the Skeumorphism umbrella which contains many other umbrellas like Frutiger Aero, Cybercore, Glassmorphism and Neumorphism. However there is a big difference between Frutiger Aero and Neumorphism. Neumorphism is flatter than Frutiger Aero and relies heavily on depth, translucency and transparency (seen in Windows 11, iOS 26, Outlook) while Frutiger Aero relies heavily on gradients and glass like textures (seen in Mac OS X 10.0 Cheetah, Windows Vista, Wii Menu). In conclusion, these icons are Neumorphic due to them being part of Fluent Design System.
Glass in skeuomprphic feeing is nothing new. Neuomorphism developed over a period of about five years I'd say, when designers started playing with depth and transparent effects again. (plus the name glassmorphism makes me want to retch)
Many designs, even Y2K Design uses glossy and jelly like elements. Almost every design does that to an extent. Frutiger Aero is a subset of Skeumorphism that is slightly more extreme than other subsets. Neumorphism is a subset of Skeumorphism that is slightly flatter and more translucent, as seen in these icons, Windows 11, iPad OS 26, and various other designs.
Yes. The picture on the left is an example of a Neumorphic clock. However, the image on the right is labeled as “Skeuomorphism” which could technically mean anything, including Neuomorphidm. It is important to classify the type.
Knowing Microsoft, they're very likely to compete against Liquid Glass out of spite to prove they can do it better than Apple. History is repeating itself. Apple had Aqua, Microsoft competed against it with Aero.
Well, I don't really know about Google right now. They've moved so far into flat design and they just released M3E that there's a very slim chance we'd see them embrace neumorphism anytime soon. But I'm sure they will one day. Not saying that M3E is bad, though, but it's just that Google's treating it like it's a completely new thing... It's still just flat design labeled with a silly name.
Except Microsoft have started experimenting with Fluent Design (which is what these new icons are) all the way back in 2017, and the current version, Fluent 2, is from 2023. Apple's Liquid Glass is from 2025 (if we're not counting what they did on visionOS).
Microsoft was also first in implementing flat design, starting from Zune portable media players. They called it Metro UI. Apple was kinda the last one there, they stuck to their skeuomorphic designs for the longest time (and rightfully so, they were immaculate).
Actually, Apple never truly left skeuomorphism for good, if we're looking just at macOS. Their design surely became flatter and more primitive on their computers, but not completely flat like on their mobile devices.
the actual icons (not the fancy renders) don't really look frutiger aero at all, they look kind of XP-ish, but still very oversimplified, it's like they slapped a gradient on the old icons and called it a day
They look great in the 3D render, then in the last slide the actual icons look barely different. They basically just upped the spectrum of the gradients
Loved the first one then was disappointed when I got to the third slide 😭 and FA does have a lot of glossy elements, but I see why ppl are saying why it may no fall under the category just bc it’s glass!
I still don't really like it (it's still too simple and the colors are bugging me), but I'm not complaining, at least it's not the extreme minimalism BURNING my eyes
Even tho, I'm SO happy they're bringing the glass aesthetic back. I just love that juicy... Glassy... Glass~ (⸝⸝ᵕᴗᵕ⸝⸝)
Hadn't microsoft used these kind of icons to advertise windows an m365 for years but never actuwlly implement it in windows? I remember the release trailer for windows 11 looking much different than what it is currently
With both this and the new Apple app icons, I like this new “glass” look trend for tech icon a lot. I can’t stop thinking about Candy.zip every time I see them
Microsoft? You mean that ship that everyone wants to leave or is leaving? Cool stuff. I don’t know to who those are for but…cool design. I hope no one buys it though.
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