February 15th, 2022

It seems as if 2022 was the year that Google had in mind for major redesigns to both their software and logo designs. Earlier this year, Google introduced slight alterations to the Google Chrome logo, Drive and Docs have seen productivity changes, and now it’s their renowned email service, Gmail, that’s going under the knife.

It goes without saying that Google is aware of the recent design trends of prioritizing and capturing a more simple and modern feel. It becomes apparent when such a huge company as Google begins to quickly change the look of its software.

Other than the Chrome logo, Gmail is the first victim of modernization. Below are pictures of changes that Google has applied to the surface of their mailing application.

What’s the point? Integration. Alongside the need to adapt to modern trends, Google intends to seamlessly integrate Google Apps such as Chat and Meets into Gmail.

Before this redesign, Gmail was known to be behind other Google services in terms of productivity, general use, and look. The most pressing change comes with the altered collapsible panel. This choice simplifies navigation, eliminates needed clutter, and makes the homepage more appealing to the everyday user.

Of course, as with most redesigns, the update will not revolutionize how one uses the application. The basic function remains the same, and the changes are mostly cosmetic. With that said, in a world where an individual roughly gets 1,000+ emails a year, a clean, easy to look at, and more functional service is needed. The new-look will be given to all users of the service, and begin rolling out within the next few weeks.