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

2 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

Abu Dhabi’s Hub71 To Help Climate Technology Startups

The initiative was announced at the COP28 summit and will help selected startups with a $200,000 cash injection and further incentives.

Published

23 hours ago

December 5, 2023

Nour Nasir

Hub71

Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global technology system, has launched a new initiative to support climate technology startups backed by several of the UAE’s largest public and private sector organizations.

Known as the Hub71+ ClimateTech ecosystem, the program was announced at the COP28 climate conference in Dubai, with funding commitments from 25+ local and international partners already in place.

A total of 342 startups have submitted applications so far, with the top companies being added to a shortlist that will be revealed shortly. Selected startups will receive Dh250,000 ($68,000) in incentives and an upfront cash support package of Dh250,000. In addition, the top performers of Hub71’s new initiative will also receive a top-up of up to Dh250,000 in exchange for additional equity.

Ahmad Alwan, deputy chief executive of Hub71, said: “This initiative aims to bring in different entities that have a shared mission towards climate tech […] Throughout the journey, we will support these companies, not only from being startups to becoming mature companies but also to facilitate their engagement with entities that would support them with access to capital, market, and talent”.

The Hub71+ ClimateTech ecosystem is backed by the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company and the National Central Cooling Company, who have each pledged Dh500,000 to the initiative as anchor partners.

Also Read: Wisdom Motor Brings First Zero-Emission Bus To GCC

They are joined by corporate partners, including Abu Dhabi holding company ADQ, Aldar Properties, sovereign wealth fund Mubadala, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Masdar City, and Dubai’s Emirates NBD. In addition, Siemens Energy is also onboard as an anchor partner.

So far, Hub71 has helped 260 member startups and created over 1,000 jobs, according to the organization’s website. In addition, it has collectively raised around Dh5 billion since its foundation in 2019.