Tim Murrary
Consider the fox. It’s known for being quick, clever, and untamed — attributes easily applied to its mythical cousin, the “Firefox” of browser fame. Well, Firefox has another trait not found in earthly foxes: stretchiness (just look how it circumnavigates the globe). That fabled flexibility now enables Firefox to adapt once again to a changing environment.
The “Firefox” you’ve always known as a browser is stretching to cover a family of products and services united by putting you and your privacy first. Firefox is a browser AND an encrypted service to send huge files. It’s an easy way to protect your passwords on every device AND an early warning if your email has been part of a data breach. Safe, private, eye-opening. That’s just the beginning of the new Firefox family.
Now Firefox has a new look to support its evolving product line. Today we’re introducing the Firefox parent brand — an icon representing the entire family of products. When you see it, it’s your invitation to join Firefox and gain access to everything we have to offer. That includes the famous Firefox Browser icon for desktop and mobile, and even that is getting an update to be rolled out this fall.
Here’s a peek behind the curtain of how the new look was born:
Design beyond identity.
This update is about more than logos. The Firefox design system includes everything we need to make product and web experiences today and long into the future:
- A new colour palette that expands the range of possibilities and makes distinctive gradients possible.
- A new shape system derived from the geometry of the product logos that makes beautiful background patterns, spot illustrations, motion graphics and pictograms.
- A modern typeface for product marks with a rounded feel that echoes our icons.
- An emphasis on accessible colour and type standards to make the brand open to everyone.
Meaning beyond design.
Privacy is woven into every Firefox brand experience. With each release, our products will continue to add features that protect you and alert you to risks. Unlike Big Tech companies that claim to offer privacy but still use your data, with us you know where you stand. All Firefox products are backed by our Personal Data Promise: Take Less, Keep It Safe, No Secrets.
The brand system is built on four pillars, present in everything we make and do:
Radical. It’s a radical act to be optimistic about the future of the internet. It’s a radical act to serve others before ourselves. We disrupt the status quo because it’s the right thing to do.
Kind. We want what’s best for the internet and for the world. So we lead by example. Build better products. Start conversations, partner, collaborate, educate and inform. Our empathy extends to everybody.
Open. Open-minded. Open-hearted. Open source. An open book. We make transparency and a global perspective integral to our brand, speaking many languages and striving to reflect all vantage points.
Opinionated. Our products prove that we are driven by strong convictions. Now we’re giving voice to our point of view. While others can speak only to settings, we ground everything in our ethos.
The end of the beginning
The Firefox brand exploration began more than 18 months ago, and along the way we tapped into many talents. Michael Johnson of Johnson Banks provided early inspiration while working on the Mozilla brand identity. Jon Hicks, the designer behind the original Firefox browser logo, was full of wisdom and breathtaking design ideas. Michael Chu of Ramotion was the driving force behind the new masterbrand and system icons.
We worked across internal brand, marketing, and product teams to reach a consistent brand system for our users. Three members of our cross-org team have since moved on to new adventures: Madhava Enros, Yuliya Gorlovetsky, and Vince Joy. Along with team members Liza Ruzer, Stephen Horlander, Natalie Linden, and Sean Martell, they formed the core working team.
Finally, we’re grateful to everyone who has commented on this blog with your passionate opinions, critiques, words of encouragement, and unique points of view.
Tell us. We can take it.
As a living brand, Firefox will never be done. It will continue to evolve as we change and the world changes around us. We have to stretch our brand guidelines even further in the months ahead, so we’re interested in hearing your response to what we’ve done so far. Feel free to let us know in the comments on our Open Design Blog. Thanks for being with us on this journey, and please stay tuned for more.