There's a distinction to be made between the intrinsic properties of flat design, and how designers interpret it. I think the vast majority of apps/websites us

There's a distinction to be made between the intrinsic properties of flat design, and how designers interpret it. I think the vast majority of apps/websites using "flat design" are an insult to what it is really about. Removing elements, simplifying shapes... should be done to increase comprehension and efficiency (i.e. removing noise), not to make something look "clean" or cool.