There's little argument in anyone's mind against the fact that Microsoft is having a pivotal year in its existence. They've been freed from their shackles and making strategic moves to reclaim its former glory. So what better way to start fresh with consumers, enterprise customers, and...well, everyone than a new logo?

Unveiled on the Official Microsoft Blog, the new logo has a decidedly Modern aesthetic. Here's how Microsoft's Jeff Hansen describes their goal with this new look:

It’s been 25 years since we’ve updated the Microsoft logo and now is the perfect time for a change. This is an incredibly exciting year for Microsoft as we prepare to release new versions of nearly all of our products. From Windows 8 to Windows Phone 8 to Xbox services to the next version of Office, you will see a common look and feel across these products providing a familiar and seamless experience on PCs, phones, tablets and TVs. This wave of new releases is not only a reimagining of our most popular products, but also represents a new era for Microsoft, so our logo should evolve to visually accentuate this new beginning. [...]

The logo has two components: the logotype and the symbol. For the logotype, we are using the Segoe font which is the same font we use in our products as well as our marketing communications. The symbol is important in a world of digital motion (as demonstrated in the video above.) The symbol’s squares of color are intended to express the company’s diverse portfolio of products.

Hansen goes on to say that the logo will pop up in places beginning today like a new Microsoft Store in Boston, MA (as well as their flagship stores in Washington). Over time the logo will be incorporated into television ads, global marketing campaigns, products, and more.

For a brief but slick looking clip showing off the new Microsoft logo in action, continue past the jump.

Source: Next at Microsoft, The Official Microsoft Blog