Instagram has selected a group of users to test a version of its app with an overhauled design, which can be seen in a series of screenshots sent to MacRumors by reader Sebastien. Unlike the previous Instagram design, which utilizes a white feed bookended by blue and black borders and blue accents, the new design features a more monochromatic look.

newinstagram
The new color scheme appears to be part of an effort to help photos, specifically color photos, pop more in a user's feed. The icons have also undergone design changes. The camera button on the bottom bar is no longer singled out with a blue box around it, and the camera button in camera mode is now a grey ring rather than a blue circle. The activity button on the bottom bar is a simple heart rather than a heart in a speech bubble and the profile button on the bottom is the outline of a person rather than a user's photo.

Instagram tells Mashable that the company often tests "new experiences with a small percentage of the global community" and that this test was "a design test only." It's unclear whether this design will become official in a future update or whether the company decides to not move forward with it.

More recently, Instagram has been making tweaks and changes to how its app works. Two weeks ago, the company added video channels to its "Explore" feature. Before that, it expanded video clips from 15 seconds to 60 seconds and announced that it would introduce an algorithm-based feed.

Instagram is available in the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

wegwhehwegqwegqew Avatar
120 months ago
Could they extend that to their app icon? I always keep it in a folder because it's so inconsistent. It's a nice piece of art but they need to let die already.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Col4bin Avatar
120 months ago
Speaking of Instagram, time to get rid of that Scott Forstall-esque skeuomorphic design and modernize that 2007 looking icon already!
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bbqthis Avatar
120 months ago
As a UX designer, this almost looks like a wireframe to me, not a finished UI. But that's probably because I'm expecting the current palette.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
v0lume4 Avatar
120 months ago
Honestly, I like the app in its current form. I understand the pursuit of "less," however, unfortunately, since everyone else in the world is pursuing minimalism in their app designs, many apps are beginning to look the same. And at what point is "minimalism" form over function?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Caliber26 Avatar
120 months ago
No, I like it how it is. I don't want a sterile looking app. That's just me, though.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Altis Avatar
120 months ago
There seems to be a direct relationship between Instagram usage and narcissism. Would like to see a study on the subject.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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