Whether or not you like it, flat design is here. Regardless of the actual merits of flat design, it’s spreading across all digital platforms, most recently in iOS7, which everyone is raving about.

In an interesting development, three of the three biggest internet search engines have switched their logos to reflect an increased emphasis on flat design, marking a societal shift in web design. When the three biggest names on the web – Google, Microsoft and Yahoo – all change their design to reflect a certain aesthetic, you should probably pay attention.

Using the flat design style for your logo is great for helping to craft a clean, minimalist and beautifully simple aesthetic. It’s not always easy to do – as it needs to appear uncluttered, but the end result when done well is a brand identity that often has some personality to it. Here are some examples of flat logo designs – each of these have been created by some truly talented designers, and is the result of hard work, patience and effort in order to create something simple, yet stunning.