5 ms·
As much as I love the mockup, in the end I probably agree. Microsoft's core branding strength in the consumer market is its "genericness". Look at the new home
by tammer 14y ago
As much as I love the mockup, in the end I probably agree.
Microsoft's core branding strength in the consumer market is its "genericness". Look at the new homepage - very standard US families using MS products. While Apple's aesthetic appeals to millions and millions, to some it comes off as elitist and/or flashy. As unusual as it seems to say this, MS may be doing well by pushing their bland mostly-business-but-you-can-go-on-facebook-on-it-too branding - many americans could assimilate the mockup's intended message and react negatively. People want cheap crap that doesn't make them think too hard.
Microsoft's current branding is unexciting (read: safe, reassuring) for very specific reasons.
- krrrh 14y agoI think you're right on the money. Your comment reminds me of Neal Stephenson's characterization of Windows as the station wagon of operating systems. http://www.cryptonomicon.com/beginning.html http://www.cryptonomicon.com/beginning.html
- tammer 14y agoThanks a lot for this, it was a great read. I think the following phrases things far better than I did: >The answer, for people who don't like Damoclean questions, is that since Microsoft has won the hearts and minds of the silent majority--the bourgeoisie--they don't give a damn about having a slick image, any more then Dick Nixon did.