According to the
Official Google Blog: Google's New Favicon post, André Resende is a computer science undergraduate student at the University of
Campinas in Brazil.
His design inspired the new favicon.
Google says that "His placement of a white 'g' on a color-blocked background was highly recognizable and attractive, while seeming to capture the essence of Google."
The icon has depth and color, love it!
Thank you André Resende and Google!