Why did Apple remove design from iOS 7?

[fivedots]

But the point is, some of us feel that visual effects such as the page turn animation in iBooks enhanced our enjoyment of content without getting in the way.

Also, if enhancement of content wasn't important, why bother with visual effects like Parallax and the new zooming in and out effect when entering and existing apps?

While I can understand that some appreciate these touches (e.g. page flipping), neither of your examples "enhance content" in any way.

Your app isn't going to go far if it isn't a pleasure to open and look at while you're using it....

I wasn't suggesting apps should be ugly and that design doesn't matter. In the specific case of books, the primary selling point is the convenience vs. physical books. Superfluous interface elements may be important to some but are by no means critical for most.

 

[Todd B.]

While I can understand that some appreciate these touches (e.g. page flipping), neither of your examples "enhance content" in any way.



I wasn't suggesting apps should be ugly and that design doesn't matter. In the specific case of books, the primary selling point is the convenience vs. physical books. Superfluous interface elements may be important to some but are by no means critical for most.

Then why not just have themes or a toggle switch, then? That way you can turn on a "lite" mode if you don't want the interface.

 

[Night Spring]

Flat or uncluttered doesn't fade it is the choice of many if not all people with some class. People with money eat at restaurants that are basically flat in design when they want to relax. Ever been on vacation to a resort? Other than Disney land they are all pretty contemporary and flat. Have you ever seen a luxury or expensive sports car? They are also contemporary and flat. Have you seen the mac? Its pretty flat uncluttered and contemporary. Have you ever watch tennis or golf. Both are very classy sports and both are pretty flat/contemporary.

Oh, please. What does it even mean for resorts, restaurants, cars and sports(!) to be "contemporary and flat"? Yes, there are restaurants, resorts, etc that use simple and clean lines for their décor. But restaurants with rich, luxurious décor are also still around and seems to be doing well, too. Or at least that is the case in NY city.

 

[fivedots]

Then why not just have themes or a toggle switch, then? That way you can turn on a "lite" mode if you don't want the interface.

Such options are completely outside of Apple's design philosophy.

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Oh, please. What does it even mean for resorts, restaurants, cars and sports(!) to be "contemporary and flat"? Yes, there are restaurants, resorts, etc that use simple and clean lines for their décor. But restaurants with rich, luxurious décor are also still around and seems to be doing well, too. Or at least that is the case in NY city.

I lost it at tennis and golf.

 

[Night Spring]

While I can understand that some appreciate these touches (e.g. page flipping), neither of your examples "enhance content" in any way.

I only gave one example, iBooks. Which I think enhances our *enjoyment* of content. Not enhance content directly, but enhance our enjoyment of it by simulating the feeling of a real book, if you see the distinction?

I mentioned Parallax as an example of visual effect in iOS 7. If, as you say, that effect does not enhance content, and the design philosophy of iOS 7 is for the system to get out of the way, what is Parallax doing in there?

 

[falconeight]

Oh, please. What does it even mean for resorts, restaurants, cars and sports(!) to be "contemporary and flat"? Yes, there are restaurants, resorts, etc that use simple and clean lines for their décor. But restaurants with rich, luxurious décor are also still around and seems to be doing well, too. Or at least that is the case in NY city.

It means everything. Most people don't want clutter and apple knows that. Why do you think everyone copies them. Look at ultra books, iMac copies, iPhone wanna be's, etc. Clean lines contemporary and flat are and have always been classy and wanted. Yes there is rich luxurious decor and I don't want it on my phone.

 

[falconeight]

Such options are completely outside of Apple's design philosophy.

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I lost it at tennis and golf.

Well its not head butting or planking but its a popular sport. I refuse to buy a phone designed for the planking crowd.

 

[Night Spring]

It means everything. Most people don't want clutter and apple knows that. Why do you think everyone copies them. Look at ultra books, iMac copies, iPhone wanna be's, etc. Clean lines contemporary and flat are and have always been classy and wanted.

Clean lines may be in the vague now, but I don't think you can claim that they've always been wanted. Just go watch Great Gatsby and note the rich, opulent décor -- that was what people wanted back then.

 

[falconeight]

Clean lines may be in the vague now, but I don't think you can claim that they've always been wanted. Just go watch Great Gatsby and note the rich, opulent décor -- that was what people wanted back then.

You talking about club life in the Great Gatsby. Do you want to live in a club in any era. They are made to be obnoxious, loud, and more than a few hours will drive you mad. Its as bad as having a disco ball and smoke machine in your room.

 

[Night Spring]

You talking about club life in the Great Gatsby. Do you want to live in a club in any era. They are made to be obnoxious, loud, and more than a few hours will drive you mad. Its as bad as having a disco ball and smoke machine in your room.

Chrysler Building, Empire State. Same opulent look, built to house offices where hundreds of people work every day.

 

[falconeight]

Chrysler Building, Empire State. Same opulent look, built to house offices where hundreds of people work every day.

Very true but cities aren't and will never be able to use flat design. It has something to do with them reaching to the clouds. You can't tell me that New york city design is beautiful and the flat contemporary decor of a resort is not. If so then why argue? Every time apple puts out something new people freak out about how they know better and can do better. Yet its always a hit.

 

[teknikal90]

iOS 1 and iOS 7 are not that different.

YouTube: video

Man you're missing the point.
One, I wasn't trying to be derogatory when I called you an Apple fan. One would infer a membership at an Apple fan club forum would assume you a title of being an Apple fan. I accept it...I didn't think it was derogatory at all. Sorry you felt otherwise...
Second, it's not so much about the clean lines as it being un-iconic and lacking originality and character.
Your reference to Apple's design philosophy and tennis courts actually does go along with my point.
The aluminium macbook design is now 5 years old. Almost as old as iOS. And yet, it needed no change - it's timeless. The new generation MBP retained the same design language as the original unibody macbook of 2008. Likewise, Tennis courts have not changed at all for a long long time. Can you imagine if the ATP decided to go minimalist and discard some of the lines on the tennis courts because everyone else are going 'simple'? No, it's a design that can stand and have stood against the test of time. OS X's design has. The Macbook's design has. I believe iOS 6's design would have.
It's not so much about the flat design, it's about timelessness. And I believe iOS 7 lacks that. its design language is too shallow for it to have longevity. It's too seasonal, it's got an expiry date (i.e. when this flat design obsession fades away)
Just to further my point: look at aviator glasses, converses, the coke bottle, BMW's flame surfacing contours, the clickwheel iPod, all iconic designs that only need refining over time.

 

[MarkNY]

Because hipsters have decided that ugly and flat is the current buzzword. Just bunker down and try and weather out the storm; hopefully it won't be long before all they all get distracted with the next latest fad.

Unfortunately, Apple felt the need to get on board because Internet users, who probably don't even have a stake in iOS, complained loudly because that's what they do. :\

Yep. I was going to wait and upgrade to the 5S. Bought the 5 yesterday so I won't be forced to use iOS 7. Apple didn't become the largest company in the world by listening to hipsters. Or at least Steve Jobs didn't. I really think Tim Cook should be s***-canned for defacing Apple's crown jewel, iOS.

When iOS 7 hits and non-techies like my mom upgrade and wonder where their beloved iOS went, the backlash is going to be sufficient to force Apple to do a 180 on this.

 

[bandrews]

Apple didn't become the largest company in the world by listening to hipsters.

Nor did it become the largest company in the world by listening to internet forum geeks.....

 

[Night Spring]

Apple didn't become the largest company in the world by listening to hipsters.

Nor did it become the largest company in the world by listening to internet forum geeks.....

I think it did by listening to a hipster geek called Steve Jobs.

 

[BaldiMac]

(i.e. when this flat design obsession fades away)

Why do people keep calling it flat design when it's not actually flat? iOS 7 has both depth and texture in its interface.

Does it just make it easier to claim it's a fad and copy of Android or Windows Phone?

 

[falconeight]

Man you're missing the point.
One, I wasn't trying to be derogatory when I called you an Apple fan. One would infer a membership at an Apple fan club forum would assume you a title of being an Apple fan. I accept it...I didn't think it was derogatory at all. Sorry you felt otherwise...
Second, it's not so much about the clean lines as it being un-iconic and lacking originality and character.
Your reference to Apple's design philosophy and tennis courts actually does go along with my point.
The aluminium macbook design is now 5 years old. Almost as old as iOS. And yet, it needed no change - it's timeless. The new generation MBP retained the same design language as the original unibody macbook of 2008. Likewise, Tennis courts have not changed at all for a long long time. Can you imagine if the ATP decided to go minimalist and discard some of the lines on the tennis courts because everyone else are going 'simple'? No, it's a design that can stand and have stood against the test of time. OS X's design has. The Macbook's design has. I believe iOS 6's design would have.
It's not so much about the flat design, it's about timelessness. And I believe iOS 7 lacks that. its design language is too shallow for it to have longevity. It's too seasonal, it's got an expiry date (i.e. when this flat design obsession fades away)
Just to further my point: look at aviator glasses, converses, the coke bottle, BMW's flame surfacing contours, the clickwheel iPod, all iconic designs that only need refining over time.

You say lacking design and un-iconic yet it has everyone on their toes. Tennis courts and the game of tennis is simple and flat. If anything apple took cues from a tennis match. Its not a fad it has been around since the start of time. Simplicity is beautiful and welcomed. I understand that some people won't and don't like it but they are in the minority. Especially since women are going to go after this os like no other.

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Why do people keep calling it flat design when it's not actually flat? iOS 7 has both depth and texture in its interface.

Does it just make it easier to claim it's a fad and copy of Android or Windows Phone?

Very true its the only os that appears to be alive.

 

[iOSOS]

Very true but cities aren't and will never be able to use flat design. It has something to do with them reaching to the clouds. You can't tell me that New york city design is beautiful and the flat contemporary decor of a resort is not. If so then why argue? Every time apple puts out something new people freak out about how they know better and can do better. Yet its always a hit.

I love how people compare flat software design with modern, contempary, funky or traditional interior design. it's like comparing different car models with how animals look.

 

[Night Spring]

Very true its the only os that appears to be alive.

If it is a good thing for the OS to look alive, why shouldn't the apps also be alive and vibrant looking? Instead, the apps, particularly Notes, feel flat and dead. Safari's new icons also don't appeal to me. They are just a collection of thin lines that don't really suggest any meaning -- I struggle to remember what they represent.

 

[falconeight]

If it is a good thing for the OS to look alive, why shouldn't the apps also be alive and vibrant looking? Instead, the apps, particularly Notes, feel flat and dead. Safari's new icons also don't appeal to me. They are just a collection of thin lines that don't really suggest any meaning -- I struggle to remember what they represent.

I like that the icons are flat unobtrusive its what they wanted to achieve with the design. I like seeing pictures of my kids on my screen moving around in parallax. I think the design is brilliant and fresh.

 

[Arran]

Why did Apple remove design from iOS 7?

You can't remove design from an object any more than you can remove personality from a person. The two are inextricably linked.

You can, of course, change the design of an object; just as someone's personality can change over time.

 

[teknikal90]

Why do people keep calling it flat design when it's not actually flat? iOS 7 has both depth and texture in its interface.

Does it just make it easier to claim it's a fad and copy of Android or Windows Phone?

because it is flatter than the previous interface. simple really....
and if you mean 'depth' as in layers, we're talking different dimensions. iOS 7 has many layers of flat interfaces.

If anything apple took cues from a tennis match. Its not a fad it has been around since the start of time.

Exactly! iOS 6 and OS X has design languages unique to Apple that has been there since the very beginning! They're not fads, they were well designed from the very beginning! The skeumorphic elements hint users on how to use the device without having to use a manual. See the Green, Yellow and Red buttons on your Mac's window? Green is go, Red is stop and Yellow is in between - like a traffic light! It's a well thought out, skeumorphic, element that adds and character value. Like flicking the page in iBooks. iOS 7 is destroying all these little gems and leaving not of new gems behind - it's boring.
Functionally, the coloured and textured elements are there as to not blinds the user at night with all white content. In the interest of fashion, iOS 7 is all bright and white!
iOS 7's language I argue is a fad that really has only taken form recently - this overly simplistic user interface that doesnt make a lot of things better. It's change for the sake of going along with the current fleeting fashion.

Especially since women are going to go after this os like no other.

What?

 

[Night Spring]

I like that the icons are flat unobtrusive its what they wanted to achieve with the design. I like seeing pictures of my kids on my screen moving around in parallax. I think the design is brilliant and fresh.

We'll just have to agree to disagree on this. To me, the moving pictures just look tacky and gimmicky, and the icons are so unobtrusive they are too hard to find.

 

[falconeight]

We'll just have to agree to disagree on this. To me, the moving pictures just look tacky and gimmicky, and the icons are so unobtrusive they are too hard to find.

Ya we can agree to disagree. Hard to find is a bit overboard though.

 

[BaldiMac]

because it is flatter than the previous interface. simple really....

I'm sure you can see the difference between "flatter" and "flat".

and if you mean 'depth' as in layers, we're talking different dimensions. iOS 7 has many layers of flat interfaces.

And depth within layers. Toggles, keyboard, sliders, tabs, textures, etc.