Apple has added new design resources in its Human Interface Guidelines collection, like Apple Pay templates, Apple Health icon, and more.
Is Dark Mode Technically Better? No, But That's Not The Point
Since Apple introduced Dark Mode in iOS 13 we’ve had a wave of people arguing that dark mode isn’t better for legibility, it could made reading worse on your eyes, et cetera et cetera. But I think they’re missing the point. I’m sure it’s subjective but staring into a searing white screen is worse than staring into a dark screen at night, and I don’t care how many “experts” pull a “well, ackshually.” Speaking of searing white screens, using as much white space as possible in web design has been popular for the last several years and it’s probably a reason why everyone wanted dark mode in the first place. Some web designers tend to prize aesthetics over readability. I’m looking at you Jony Ive.
So yes, you can have the Wednesday Adams aesthetic on your phone interface too. But at this point, it seems to be just that—about the looks.
Pixelmator Pro 1.5 Supports macOS Catalina, Sidecar, and Mac Pro
Pixelmator Pro 1.5 Avalon adds support for macOS Catalina, Sidecar, and enhancements for the Mac Pro and its Pro Display XDR.
Adobe Announces New Creative Cloud Desktop App
Adobe has redesigned its Creative Cloud desktop app for macOS Catalina. It makes it easier to access and manage your content.
As It Turns Out, Yahoo Isn't Actually Dead Yet
In today’s weird news, apparently Yahoo is still around. I only know this because they recently created a new logo, and now the media is reporting on it. Which, of course, was the point. This is Yahoo’s God’s Not Dead moment.
The new logo keeps the purple and the exclamation point, but it ditches any remnants of the company’s many previous marks. Instead, the Pentagram-designed identity is crisp and friendly, with thick and curvy letterforms. Its main surprise is its exclamation point, which is slanted like an italic. To be exact, that slanted angle sits at 22.5 degrees—and it recurs throughout the new branding.
The new exclamation mark is rebellious yet familiar—and definitely masculine, as if Yahoo is wielding it like a club to beat out of your head the knowledge that Yahoo Mail was the biggest data breach so far.
People are Putting Their Apple Cards Through a CNC Mill
Some people are customizing their Apple Cards with CNC milling machines in an effort to improve Apple’s minimalistic credit card.
As Wiegand showed on his Instagram account, he loaded his card into one of these computer-controlled cutting machines to customize the white finish with the filigree you’d find on the back of a 19th-century-era Bicycle playing card.
Neat stuff. We’ve already seen wallet cases specifically for Apple Cards. I wonder if some companies will create Card skins.
MacBook Pro Changes, iPhone Design Leaks – TMO Daily Observations 2019-08-05
John Martellaro and Bryan Chaffin join host Kelly Guimont to talk about changes to the MacBook Pro lineup, and iPhone designs vs Nexus leaks.
Twitter Web Redesign Rolls Out For All Users
A Twitter web redesign is rolling out for all users, simplifying navigation, a sidebar, profile switching, and more.
The update is designed to make it easier to move around Twitter. Before, you’d have to click on your Profile icon to access features like Lists, Themes, Settings, and other options. Meanwhile, getting to Moments was available both in this Profile dropdown menu and in the main Twitter navigation at the top of the screen, next to Notifications and Messages.
Rico Zorkendorfer Left Apple to Join Bumblebee Spaces
Rico Zorkendorfer left Apple in April where he worked in the industrial design team. He recently joined startup Bumblebee Spaces.
How Apple Maps Iconography Has Grown Over the Years
Mercury Intermedia dived into Apple Maps iconography to give us a history of it, and how it has changed over the years with each iOS update.
Sir Jony Ive Will Leave Apple to Start Design Company LoveFrom
In surprising news, Apple just announced that Sir Jony Ive will leave the company later this year to start his own design company.
22 Years of Apple Website Design History Visualized
The Version Museum has a visual history of 22 years of Apple website design history, starting in 1994.
Version Museum is devoted to showcasing the visual history of popular websites, games, apps, and operating systems that have shaped our lives.
The biggest change is the evolution of that tab bar at the top of the website, going from light to dark.
Lisa Dziuba Curated GitHub List of 200 Design Tools
If you’re a designer looking for tools to use, look no further. This GitHub list has 200 design tools covering everything a wide range of categories. You can use the table of contents or just search for what you need. You can also ask Ms. Dziuba on Twitter for help. Additionally, you can contribute a design tool that you found. Read the contribution guidelines, then send a pull request. There are specific labels for free tools, open source tools, and tools only available for macOS. The list: Accessibility Tools, Animation Tools, Augmented Reality Tools, Collaboration Tools, Color Picker Tools, Design Feedback Tools. Design Handoff Tools, Design System Tools, Design to Code Tools, Experience Monitoring Tools, Font Tools, Free Screenshot Software, Icons Tools, Illustrations, Information Architecture Tools, Logo Design, Mockup Tools, Mouse Tracking Tools, Prototyping Tools, Sketching Tools, Stock, Photos Tools, UI Design Tools, User Flow Tools, and Version Control for Designers.
GQ's History of Cool Examines White Apple Earbuds
Johnathon Heaf writes how Apple’s white earbuds changed the industry forever. It all started with the iPod.
The “silhouette campaign” ads, which I’m sure many of you remember more than the early hardware, focused on the white earbuds that came with each iPod – a design feature that Ive has since stated was pure serendipity.
When he first saw the ads, Steve Jobs was worried the iPod wasn’t visible enough. Yet they were popular because they were fun and emotive.
#10YearChallenge: How iOS Apps Have Changed
Here’s a 10 year challenge I can get behind. Valia Havryliuk demonstrates how iOS apps have changed.
Just last year App Store celebrated its 10th birthday. In 2008 it launched with 552 apps and some of them are still live inside your iPhones. Time has passed and design trends have changed dramatically. #10yearchallenge is a good opportunity to see how fast the evolution is and notice changes in the oldest iOS apps.
iOS 7 was definitely the biggest visual overhaul to iOS. iOS 11 introduced UI changes but it was more along the lines of refinement.
How a Designer Uses iPad Pro as the Main Computer
The next iPad-Pro-as-main-computer narrative comes from Hicks Design. Jon shared his reasoning and workflow, as well as shortcomings & workarounds.
It’s started slowly, but the platform has been maturing and I’ve been using it more and more as my main computer. There are limitations and issues, which I’ll come to, but I keep coming back to it as a my main design tool. There’s something very alluring about this light and portable thin slab of glass that can do (almost) everything I need it to.
Apple Watch Series 4 First Impressions - TMO Daily Observations 2018-09-24
Adam Christianson from the Maccast and Bryan Chaffin join Jeff Gamet to talk about how well the original iPhone’s design is holding up, plus they share their first impressions after a weekend with Apple Watch Series 4.
Apple Made a Siri Webpage Detailing Everything She Can Do
The design looks great, and the webpage is informative. Apple gives examples of what you can do with Siri.
App Sale: Pixelmator and Pixelmator Pro Are 50% Off
To celebrate students going back to school, Pixelmator and Pixelmator Pro are half off. And this is for everyone, not just students. Pixelmator Pro is a powerful, beautiful, and easy to use image editor designed exclusively for Mac. With a wide range of professional-grade, nondestructive image editing tools, it lets you bring out the best in your photos, create gorgeous compositions and designs, draw, paint, apply stunning effects, design beautiful text, and edit images in just about any way you can imagine. And thanks to its intuitive and accessible design, It’s easy to use whether you’re just starting out with image editing or you’re a seasoned pro. The app was also just updated with new features and improvements like an Auto Selective Color adjustment tool powered by machine learning. Mac App Store: Pixelmator – US$14.99 | Pixelmator Pro: US$29.99
This iMessage Concept Redesigns Social Interactions
Kévin Eugène is back with an iMessage concept. I’ve shared his previous design concepts before, and his latest one involves redesigning social interactions in Apple’s Messages app. By using Screen Time in iOS 12, Mr. Eugène noticed how much he spent messaging people, and he wanted to improve the experience. A new feature is called Chatroom, and it’s meant to “bridge the gap between digital and real world interactions.” It makes iMessage apps more powerful, and lets people experience digital things like they would in the physical world. For example, when you send a video to a friend using YouTube’s iMessage app, it shows an indicator when the person watches it. Then, you can tap on the video to watch it together inside of the Chatroom, where you can discuss the video.
