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I'm no expert in design, but when trends change so consistently, I have to wonder whether this is like automobile design or fashion where UI design kind of just

I'm no expert in design, but when trends change so consistently, I have to wonder whether this is like automobile design or fashion where UI design kind of just "rotates" and churns indefinitely rather than head towards "the true answer" I have no idea and no opinion on which is better etc, just genuinely curious.

scott_meade 14y ago
Yes, that's how it works and is why the TechCrunch article calls flat design a "fad".
deleted 14y ago
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morsch 14y ago
Fashion and automobile design are quite mature fields, though, compared to human machine interfaces. This is reflected in the fact that most changes in digital interfaces include shifts in terms of functionality. These kinds of changes are very rare in fashion: pants (either BE or AE) all work mostly the same -- and so do cars. The choices made seem to affect mostly aesthetics as opposed to functions. I guess it's possible that at some point the major interface methods will be standardized to such a degree that future changes will be aesthetic, to avoid putting off people, if nothing else. For instance, there was considerable resistance to MS changing the functional interface of Office not too long ago. But even mature consumer interfaces such as windowing systems continue to introduce additional functionality, although I guess some might characterize those changes as mere window dressing (heh), as well. Some computer interfaces do head towards what some conceive to be the true answer, with a slow stream of incremental improvements, e.g. the Unix shell. But that's a professional interface subject to other kinds of pressures than consumer technology. IANAD.
- brudgers 14y ago
  Automotive design has changed radically around function - safety and aerodynamics being the most obvious visible changes which could be trivialized as styling.
  - morsch 14y ago
    Ok, obviously you're right about that, but I was thinking just in terms of the human-machine interface. Even then, automotive engineering is much less "stale" than fashion, and any new technology may push towards more radical change.
    - brudgers 14y ago
      Touch screen navigation, voice control, DVD players, third row seating, dynamic stability control, launch mode, dial-in suspension...etc.
angersock 14y ago
It's strange, because it seems to be a regression to Visual Basic and Hypercard aesthetics in some ways. Embossed buttons? Pshaw!
MatthewPhillips 14y ago
Does automobile design really churn? I know occasionally companies try to revive classic styles (the PT Cruiser or Ford Thunderbird) but those don't seem to catch on and spread into a general fad. What you think of as the 50s style, or the 80s jagged style haven't been revived and I very much doubt they ever will.
- Domenic_S 14y ago
  > 80s jagged style Hard creases are very in right now, as are sweeping contours (90s) -- today's style looks like 80s + 90s + modern facelifting.

scott_meade 14y ago

Yes, that's how it works and is why the TechCrunch article calls flat design a "fad".

deleted 14y ago

[deleted]

morsch 14y ago

Fashion and automobile design are quite mature fields, though, compared to human machine interfaces. This is reflected in the fact that most changes in digital interfaces include shifts in terms of functionality. These kinds of changes are very rare in fashion: pants (either BE or AE) all work mostly the same -- and so do cars. The choices made seem to affect mostly aesthetics as opposed to functions. I guess it's possible that at some point the major interface methods will be standardized to such a degree that future changes will be aesthetic, to avoid putting off people, if nothing else. For instance, there was considerable resistance to MS changing the functional interface of Office not too long ago. But even mature consumer interfaces such as windowing systems continue to introduce additional functionality, although I guess some might characterize those changes as mere window dressing (heh), as well. Some computer interfaces do head towards what some conceive to be the true answer, with a slow stream of incremental improvements, e.g. the Unix shell. But that's a professional interface subject to other kinds of pressures than consumer technology. IANAD.

brudgers 14y ago
Automotive design has changed radically around function - safety and aerodynamics being the most obvious visible changes which could be trivialized as styling.
- morsch 14y ago
  Ok, obviously you're right about that, but I was thinking just in terms of the human-machine interface. Even then, automotive engineering is much less "stale" than fashion, and any new technology may push towards more radical change.
  - brudgers 14y ago
    Touch screen navigation, voice control, DVD players, third row seating, dynamic stability control, launch mode, dial-in suspension...etc.

angersock 14y ago

It's strange, because it seems to be a regression to Visual Basic and Hypercard aesthetics in some ways. Embossed buttons? Pshaw!

MatthewPhillips 14y ago

Does automobile design really churn? I know occasionally companies try to revive classic styles (the PT Cruiser or Ford Thunderbird) but those don't seem to catch on and spread into a general fad. What you think of as the 50s style, or the 80s jagged style haven't been revived and I very much doubt they ever will.

Domenic_S 14y ago
> 80s jagged style Hard creases are very in right now, as are sweeping contours (90s) -- today's style looks like 80s + 90s + modern facelifting.