Msn Messenger Rebrand Concept
MSN Messenger - Rebrand Project.
In a world where instant messaging has taken over, we all spend our days glued to apps such as, Whatsapp, Facebook Messenger & SnapChat. We seem to have forgotten who started it all, Msn Messenger.
Before the product was renamed Windows Live Messenger, it was named "Msn Messenger" from 1999 to 2006. During that time, Microsoft released seven major versions as follows. The first version of MSN Messenger Service, was released July 22, 1999.
Msn Messenger is very much the grandparent of all these modern day messaging applications, along with it's history and the huge amount of nostalgia it brings to millions of young adults across the world, I have taken it apon myself to give this brand a full redesign.
In 2013, Windows Live Messenger was sadly discontinued and Microsoft began ceasing service to existing clients.
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The Rebrand
Logo
Starting with a fresh and modern take on the logo.
I have attempted to take certain aspects from the original logo design from 1999 and then simplifying it to fit a modern design trend.
I also took a slightly different angle what the logo represents, aswell as paying homage to the original 'round heads' design, I have tried to put across the fact that this application connects people on a global scale, hence why the logo hints at the moon appearing from behind the earth.
The orignal Msn logo used an image of a multi-coloured butterfly which has been redesigned by microsoft multiple times since it all began. I felt by intrigating this imagery into the new 'Messenger' logo it would connect the newly designed application to the latest rebrand of the company.
Tagline
Regrading the tagline, I eventually came apon the idea that I should draw on the sense of nostalgia and history that comes along with this IP.
MSN Messenger - The Home Of Instant Messaging
Being able to refer to yourself as the home of something brings an extremely comforting & safe feeling for the consumers which the app will be targetted towards.
Nobody likes taking the risky option, if we give the consumer a safe and reconisable option, I believe 9 times out of 10 we will easily take them away from newer modern day app options.
Application Design
Although I am primarily a logo designer, I have designed & mocked up multiple screenshots of how I could imagine a a MSN application could look today on our hand held devices.
My design process was to try and transfer over all the aspects of the original Messenger service which were beloved by most.
The whole design feels extremely new like no other messaging application but at the same time still feels extremely familiar to the previous layouts that Messenger has used.
All of the icons have been redesigned, aswell as updating the emojis to fit in with todays 'emoji crazed' society.
I decided to give the application a 3D feel which distances the chat boxes away from the background, this gives the app depth instead of a simple flat style that so many of the competitor applications use.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I feel that I have designed a very simple, clean and fresh take on a modern day instant messaging application. Whilst paying homage to what was the most groundbreaking achivement in connecting people worldwide.
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I hope you like what I have come up with.
I would love for you to comment your feedback, whether good or negative, I am eager to evolve as a designer and your feedback will help with that process.
Thank you,
- MHD