Google has begun rolling out colorful gradient icons for its Workspace suite, including Gmail, Drive, Docs, Calendar, and Tasks. The new designs mark a departure from the company's strict four-color aesthetic that has defined its apps for years. These icons first appeared in Google's web app launcher rather than within the applications themselves.

The redesign arrives nearly six years after Google's last major icon overhaul, suggesting the company felt its visual identity needed modernization. Google Drive now emphasizes green, yellow, and blue while dropping the small red corner detail from its previous design. Meanwhile, Docs, Slides, and Sheets have adopted softer gradient appearances.

Calendar shifts toward a more blue-focused design, and Gmail retains its envelope-shaped 'M' logo but with gradient coloring instead of solid fills. Google Meet takes on a yellow-heavy gradient style. The rollout timing suggests these changes may fully deploy during Google I/O 2026, bringing a more cohesive and contemporary look to Google's productivity tools.

Early reactions show mixed feelings about individual icons, with Calendar receiving praise for its cleaner appearance while Meet and Tasks draw criticism. Regardless, this visual refresh demonstrates Google's commitment to keeping Workspace feeling current and unified across platforms.