In a surprising move, Twitter recently replaced its iconic blue bird logo with a fan-made “𝕏” logo. This new logo can now be seen on Twitter’s homepage, as a profile picture for its official @twitter account, and on a splash screen displayed while the website loads. However, the blue bird logo still remains as the website’s favicon and remains prominent throughout the mobile apps. This unexpected rebranding was announced by Elon Musk, who tweeted, “Soon we shall bid adieu to the twitter brand and, gradually, all the birds.”
It is interesting to note that the modern Twitter bird logo was actually the company’s second logo, replacing the earlier “Larry the Bird” logo that was used between 2010 and 2012. The Twitter bird logo, designed by Martin Grasser, Todd Waterbury, and Angy Che, was one of 24 potential options presented to Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey. Dorsey instantly picked out the design, appreciating its simplicity and legibility.
The logo itself is constructed from 15 overlaid circles, which Grasser explained helps with its legibility. The repetitive shapes and forms make it easier for the human eye to understand and create a less cluttered appearance. These circles were also meant to symbolize Twitter’s mission of democratizing information and giving everyone a voice.
The Twitter bird logo holds great significance beyond just being a logo. It has become synonymous with the language used to describe the platform. The term “tweets” to refer to posts predates the first version of the bird logo by a couple of years, but now the two are inseparable. Twitter is often referred to as “the bird app,” and posts are known as “tweets” that are created by tapping a feather icon.
The bird theming is deeply ingrained in the Twitter brand, and it remains to be seen if X Corp. (the new legal name for Twitter) will be able to completely replace it. The bird logo has become an iconic symbol associated with the platform, and it may prove challenging for any new branding to fully replace it.
In response to a Twitter thread by Martin Grasser, where he explained his approach to designing the Twitter bird logo, Jack Dorsey, the co-founder of Twitter, simply responded with a single goat emoji. This emoji is often used to denote the “greatest of all time” or the best, indicating Dorsey’s appreciation for the design and its significance in Twitter’s history.
Overall, the recent rebranding of Twitter’s logo and the potential phasing out of the bird logo have caused a stir among users. While the new “𝕏” logo has been met with mixed reactions, it symbolizes a new era for the platform as it undergoes changes and continues to evolve. As Twitter ventures into this new chapter, it will be interesting to see how the branding evolves and whether the bird logo will truly be replaced or will remain an integral part of the platform’s identity.
