The Black cat on the 4.4 beta splash screen could be considered bad luck image
Subject: Feedback on Splash Screen – Consider Changing Black Cat Theme
Hi Blender Team,
I wanted to share a quick thought regarding the latest splash screen design featuring a black cat. While the artwork is great, some users might find it unsettling due to common superstitions associated with black cats. And adding it may tarnish your image... Removing it immediately would show that you are forward thinking...
I know it may not be a big deal for most, but for some people, subconscious associations can impact their experience. It might be worth considering a more neutral theme for future splash screens to ensure everyone feels comfortable using Blender.
It just seems odd that the developers would choose that because that's sometimes associated with bad luck. It'd be better to go in with a super positive image of like kittens or money or Awesome kids...a unicorn...a cow... Just imagine you're working on a super important Blender scene it's all perfect and every time you open up Blender it's right there an old black cat...
In fact what would be cool is if there was a button on the splash screen ... Where you can add your own image... Then you could just constantly do whatever you want as far as that without issue...
Thanks for all the hard work you do—Blender keeps getting better and better! I'm an avid Blender developer and definitely feel this is the best software in the world...
Best, Joe Morris
3 Comments
If we start avoiding black cats due to superstition, where do we stop? Should we skip version 4.4 entirely because some cultures consider the number 4 unlucky? Should we ban mirror functions in case someone fears breaking one? Remove any green from the GUI because it's bad luck in other cultures?
Blender is about creativity, not superstition. The black cat is a tribute to Flow , a critically acclaimed animated film ( trailer here ) made with Blender. It has received 18 accolades , including the Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film (2025), the Annie Award for Best Animated Feature – Independent (2025), and the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Animated Film (2024). It has also been nominated for 17 more awards and is pending 6 others, including an Academy Award (Oscar) for Best Animated Feature.
This film is not just an achievement, it’s a milestone for the Blender community, showcasing Blender’s power on a global scale. The Blender Foundation even featured it in their blog:
Making Flow – Interview with director Gints Zilbalodis — blender.org
For those who prefer a different splash screen, they can easily change it themselves using application templates .
I think if a film made using Blender won award-after-award and even an Oscar, I think the Blender team are well-within their right to use it as a splash screen. Plus, iirc SIE contributed some code to 4.4 for allowing custom splash screens
But just a quick note on the blender4.4 interface thank you very much it looks absolutely beautiful