There's a study that shows flat UI designs cause uncertainty and can lower productivity: https://www.nngroup.com/articles/flat-ui-less-attention-cause-uncertain

There's a study that shows flat UI designs cause uncertainty and can lower productivity: https://www.nngroup.com/articles/flat-ui-less-attention-cause-uncertainty/ https://www.nngroup.com/articles/flat-ui-less-attention-caus... My subjective experience agree with the study too. But since the entire industry (be it cooperate or non-profit org) collectively lost their mind and decided flat is the one true way and purged the entire internet of anything vaguely 3D, I can't really compare the experience again in a more objective manner. I'd always go back to [Ross Scott's video of how a "non-expert" view modern GUI](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AItTqnTsVjA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AItTqnTsVjA) whenever I want some reminder on what good GUI should do. I don't agree with everything he say since a lot of it is subjective, but this video cursed me to pay far more attention on how shitty modern GUI is in my everyday interaction with the computer and phone. (Ross's video essay style is more akin to how a cultist on the street preaches about the UFO or the end-of-the-world and doesn't even care if anyone listen. I personally love it but it may not be everyone's cup of tea)