Hate the new Uber logo?
Think you can create something better?
An Oakland-based graphic design company is calling on designers around the world to submit their ideas for a chance to win $999. There s no expectation that Uber will acknowledge, much less use the winning design. Instead, the contest is more a publicity stunt for 99designs that plays off the backlash Uber received on social media after revealing its redesign last week. There was an outcry on Twitter and in the media, with people blasting the new abstract square-inside-a-circle app icon as ugly and confusing.
Now 99designs is giving graphic designers until Friday to come up with a better idea. Almost 100 designs had been submitted by Wednesday morning. The company, which has its main offices in Oakland and Australia, provides a platform for outsourcing graphic design. Clients, typically tech startups and other small businesses looking to create their first logo, submit a budget and design style. Then 99designs holds a contest, calling artists from all over the world to submit proposed designs. The clients picks their favorite, and work with that designer to create a finished product. The clients pay 99designs, which then pays the winning designer.
CEO and president Patrick Llewellyn said his team started to see chatter within the design community over Uber s new look.
We re like OK cool, if you guys don t love it, then show us something better, he said.
Llewellyn said while he likes the redesign, it s natural there would be a strong reaction to the change.
Uber is a global brand and it means a lot to a lot of people, in both good and bad ways, he said.
Enter a design, check out submitted designs, or learn more here.
In other news, Uber s head of design, Andrew Crow, announced his resignation the day after the company revealed its new look. In a Feb. 3 blog post, Crow wrote he is moving on to spend more time with his family.
I m using our recent successes as a chance to take time off to rest, reflect, and recharge, he wrote. I miss being there for my kids and I m making a decision that enables that. Soon, I ll be ready to take up the next challenge and it s going to be great.
Crow wrote he is leaving an amazing team, and called the new brand beautiful.
We brought on new people that inspired us as much as our own talent excited them, he wrote. We created a public face to Uber Design and invited hundreds of people into our house building great community. We created a beautiful new brand for the company that will lead us forward for years to come. And, most importantly, we shipped amazing products Š— products that delighted our customers and moved the world to a new place.
Crow followed up with a Tweet: proud of the work and the team but it s time to take a break. Looking forward to what s next.
Design websites were quick to point out the suspicious timing of Crow s departure. But it s unclear how involved Crow was in creating Uber s new look. Wired reported that founder and CEO Travis Kalanick insisted on spearheading the rebrand himself, and refused to hire outside experts or consultants.
Image: Uber s new app icon. (Uber)
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