[Feature request] Modernizing the XAML Controls Gallery icon

[niels9001]

Summary of the new feature/enhancement

The current XAML Controls Gallery icon is in the MDL2 style. Since WinUI is modernizing the Windows XAML platform, the gallery app icon should reflect this as well. It should be at the front of innovation and reflect the latest changes of the Windows platform. In 2020, we'll see lots of inbox application icons modernized (more on Microsoft Design's push to re-design hundreds of OS icons here).

Proposed technical implementation details

The proposal is to redesign the current XAML Controls Gallery icon, so it feels part of the Windows 10 family of experiences (e.g. Terminal, other inbox apps)

• While add it, maybe we need to change the (tile) accent color as well so it fits in a bit more with the other icons.

• Would be nice if we can bring the WinUI logo to this app icon as well!
  

For context, here is the current Xaml Controls Gallery icon:

Windows Community Toolkit Sample App app icon issue: CommunityToolkit/WindowsCommunityToolkit#3182

[niels9001]

I gave it a shot.. This is a 1:1 port to the newer style. Concept 2 is using similar colors like the new Calculator icon.

[mdtauk]

I designed the WinUI Library logo, and so something linked to it may make sense. There was talk at the time about the app possibly being renamed WinUI Controls Gallery.

Some of the early ideas I proposed for the WinUI logo was designing the 3 matching logos

[marcelwgn]

I think it would be better to continue this discussion in #210 , so that we don't have multiple threads for the same issue.

[stmoy]

Agreed that we shouldn't have multiple threads on this issue. I think we're going to get more traction on this thread, so I'm going to close #210 as a dupe and localize the conversation here.

[stmoy]

@niels9001 - I'm loving this direction as it seems like a natural evolution of the existing icon. A thought: what if it incorporated more color? I'm thinking something like the blue in the Mail icon:

[salmanmkc]

Excited about this, I can have a go at doing some designs, but not sure I'll be able to come up with something fruitful 😅

[yaira2]

Here are three concepts I came up with.

[mdtauk]

Just a quick idea

[yaira2]

Here are two more concepts I came up with.

[yaira2]

Just a recommendation, if someone downvotes an idea, they should explain why. Without context, it makes it harder for everyone to work on and improve their designs.

[SavoySchuler]

@mdtauk, I really like the concept behind what you posted on the other thread (linked below) because it establishes this idea that the Xaml Controls Gallery (XCG) is a breakdown or dissection of WinUI's control offering. It gives me this "let's look at the inside of it" feeling that's an inherent step in a developer's journey.

#210 (comment)

Please don't let me over influence this conversation though. @stmoy is the app owner, I'm just joining in on the fun. 😄

[mdtauk]

Another idea

[niels9001]

@mdtauk Great stuff! I really like your concept where we have a similar style for all 3 icons (well at least XAML Controls and the Toolkit, since these are actual apps).

It's important that these icon scale well as well - would be nice to see some smaller versions (and maybe on a tile?) to see how that would work.

Ideally we'd create some sort of template we can all use and test these!