News

Instagram Has Introduced A Visual Refresh

To help its users put the new font to good use, Instagram has also introduced fullscreen marketing layouts, which are clearly inspired by TikTok.

Published

3 years ago

May 26, 2022

David Morelo

Instagram

Instagram’s visual identity, including its logo, has evolved dramatically since the photo and video sharing social networking service launched in 2010. On Monday, Instagram introduced the latest visual refresh, complete with a brand-new font called Instagram Sans. The refresh is supposed to embrace continued evolution by giving existing brand elements new energy and purpose.

The Instagram gradient background, which consists of five colors — Princeton Orange (#F58529), Jasmine (#FEDA77), Vivid Cerise (#DD2A7B), Grape (#8134AF), and Iris (#515BD4) — has been brought to life using an innovative 3D modeling process that makes it feel as if it were lit from within.

“The concept is that the gradient feels like it’s made of light, so it feels illuminated. And it has a kind of a sense of depth to it,” says 3D digital artist and motion designer Rose Pilkington.

The biggest star of the show, however, is the new font, which was designed with Instagram’s heritage in mind. The typeface’s collection includes multiple global scripts (including Arabic, Thai, and Japanese), and it can be described as a contemporary remix of grotesque and geometric styles.

instagram visual refresh font 1

“Details like sheared terminals that suggest the flick of a human hand, unexpected quirks seen in the ‘Q’ and the interior teardrop of the ‘a’ add a friendly personality,” writes Instagram about the new font.

instagram visual refresh font 2

To help its users put the new font to good use, Instagram has also introduced fullscreen marketing layouts, which are clearly inspired by TikTok. The new layouts are supposed to put content at the center, and they reflect the latest usage trends.

Also Read: 12 Arab Women Dominating Instagram In 2023

So far, the visual refresh has received a mixed response, with some users and observers praising it for being both recognizable and future-oriented, and others criticizing it for being unnecessary and self-indulgent. What are your thoughts on the refreshed look?

News

Samsung Smart Glasses Teased For January, Software Reveal Imminent

According to Korean sources, the new wearable will launch alongside the Galaxy S25, with the accompanying software platform unveiled this December.

Published

2 days ago

December 4, 2024

Nour Nasir

samsung smart glasses teased for january software reveal imminent

Samsung appears poised to introduce its highly anticipated smart glasses in January 2025, alongside the launch of the Galaxy S25. According to sources in Korea, the company will first reveal the accompanying software platform later this month.

As per a report from Yonhap News, Samsung’s unveiling strategy for the smart glasses echoes its approach with the Galaxy Ring earlier this year. The January showcase won’t constitute a full product launch but will likely feature teaser visuals at the Galaxy S25 event. A more detailed rollout could follow in subsequent months.

Just in: Samsung is set to unveil a prototype of its augmented reality (AR) glasses, currently in development, during the Galaxy S25 Unpacked event early next year, likely in the form of videos or images.

Additionally, prior to revealing the prototype, Samsung plans to introduce…

— Jukanlosreve (@Jukanlosreve) December 3, 2024

The Galaxy Ring, for example, debuted in January via a short presentation during Samsung’s Unpacked event. The full product unveiling came later at MWC in February, and the final release followed in July. Samsung seems to be adopting a similar phased approach with its smart glasses, which are expected to hit the market in the third quarter of 2025.

A Collaborative Software Effort

Samsung’s partnership with Google has played a key role in developing the smart glasses’ software. This collaboration was first announced in February 2023, with the device set to run on an Android-based platform. In July, the companies reiterated their plans to deliver an extended reality (XR) platform by the end of the year. The software specifics for the XR device are expected to be unveiled before the end of December.

Reports suggest that the smart glasses will resemble Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses in functionality. They won’t include a display but will weigh approximately 50 grams, emphasizing a lightweight, user-friendly design.

Feature Set And Compatibility

The glasses are rumored to integrate Google’s Gemini technology, alongside features like gesture recognition and potential payment capabilities. Samsung aims to create a seamless user experience by integrating the glasses with its broader Galaxy ecosystem, starting with the Galaxy S25, slated for release on January 22.