Twitter Redesigns Its Bird in Exceedingly Meaningful New Logo

Embodies 'freedom, hope and limitless possibility'

by Tim Nudd

Did you think Twitter chose a bird as its mascot simply because birds make a tweeting sound? Wrong! "Whether soaring high above the earth to take in a broad view, or flocking with other birds to achieve a common purpose, a bird in flight is the ultimate representation of freedom, hope and limitless possibility," the company said today. What's the occasion for this purple prose? It's the debut of a newly designed official Twitter bird, whose intricately concocted shape is also steeped in meaning, according to theintroductory blog post. "Our new bird grows out of love for ornithology, design within creative constraints, and simple geometry," the company says. "This bird is crafted purely from three sets of overlapping circles—similar to how your networks, interests and ideas connect and intersect with peers and friends." There's also this more esoteric note: "From now on, this bird will be the universally recognizable symbol of Twitter. (Twitter is the bird, the bird is Twitter.)" For an airborne symbol, it's all quite heavy. Fly on, you deeply metaphorical vessels of the sky!