Instagram's new logo fits a broader trend among tech giants like Uber, Airbnb, and Google, where rebrands move from rigid product symbols to fluid representations of global communities. Users often react with initial outrage but adapt quickly as the app's core value persists.
Instagram Logo Changes
Instagram launched in 2010 with a Polaroid-inspired camera logo by co-founder Kevin Systrom, featuring a realistic design and rainbow stripe to evoke photography nostalgia. In 2011, designer Cole Rise simplified it to the iconic brown retro camera with a wider rainbow top, used until 2016 and beloved for its vintage texture.
The major 2016 redesign introduced a flat, white camera outline on a purple-pink-orange-yellow gradient, aiming for versatility as Instagram expanded beyond photos to videos and stories. Minor tweaks followed: brighter gradients in 2019-2020, 3D depth, and dark mode versions, with a 2022 refresh by Rose Pilkington making colors more vibrant and "illuminated." These changes aligned with Meta's influence, flat design trends, and cross-platform needs.
| Era | 2010 | 2010-2011 | 2011-2016 | 2016-2022 | 2022-present |
| Logo |  |  |  |  |  |
| Key Features | Retro Polaroid camera with rainbow stripe, evoking photo filters and milky uniqueness. | Detailed Polaroid camera, rainbow stripe | Brown retro camera, leather texture | Gradient background, minimalist outline | Brighter gradient, subtle symmetry |
| Why Changed | Simpler and more memorable | Launch nostalgia for analog photos | Simpler vintage icon for filters | Versatility for diverse features | Moments of discovery, vibrancy |
Which Instgram Logo Do You Prefer? Old Vs. New
The old Instagram logo's retro camera icon evokes a strong sense of nostalgia, reminiscent of classic Polaroid moments and personal, intimate photography that many users cherished for its warmth and familiarity. In contrast, the new gradient design feels dynamic and inclusive, with its rainbow hues and minimalist camera symbolizing a broader, global community and diverse storytelling.
Both designs succeed in their eras, but preference often hinges on emotional attachment versus forward-looking symbolism. The retro version wins for those prioritizing personal nostalgia, while the gradient appeals to users valuing evolution and inclusivity. The new logo edges out as preferable for its fluidity and representation of Instagram's growth into a multifaceted platform, though the old one's charm remains timeless.
The old retro camera evokes warm nostalgia, while the new gradient feels dynamic and inclusive. Which do you prefer?