apple’s “Liquid Glass” Designโฃ Faces โฃcriticism From App Developers
CUPERTINO,CA – Apple‘s newly introducedโ “Liquid Glass” design language,a core element of iOS 17,is sparking debate within the developer community,withโ some questioning whether the aesthetic prioritizes style over usability. The design, characterized by translucent layers and dynamic effects, aims to blend interface โขelements with โขcontent, but early feedback suggests it may be creating โฃvisual distraction and legibility issues.
Jonasโค Downey, designer of โฃtheโฃ Hello Weather app, expressed reservations about the new interface. “I dig Apple and weird flashy stuffโข and am impressed with aโฃ lotโ of execution โคdetails in the glass concept. But the new โคinterfaces feel elaborate โฃand overbearing, with Apple imposingโข itsโฃ own aesthetic ideas on everyone โelse. โขI could get on โคboardโข if there was an obvious benefit,” he said, “but Iโ haven’t seen โone beyond the โคold adage โthat โขuser interfaces shouldโค get out of the way of content. That’s a fine principle, โbut โLiquid Glass too oftenโค does the opposite.” Downey cited issues including distracting translucent components, low contrast, and excessive shading as contributing to potential user friction rather than focus. โHe concluded that the system “splits the difference between flat and skeuomorphic design, landing inโข a fragile โคmiddle space,” ultimately becoming “more visually complex” by attempting a floaty, deconstructed aesthetic.
Ben โขMcCarthy, creatorโค of Obscura Camera, acknowledged potential in the “Liquid” aspect of theโ design, praising the fluidity of animationsโ reminiscent of the Dynamic Island. “liquid โGlass seems born of similarโข thinking, in that animationsโ should be fun, dynamic, and rooted in material behaviors-and that aspect is hugely successful.” However, he echoed concerns about the “Glass” โcomponent, stating that Apple’s goal of reducing distraction isโ undermined by the โdistortions created โas content scrolls. “It creates distortions that catch your eye โas content scrolls. There are fundamental legibility issues, because Liquid Glass can’t control what passes behind it. And as the system โtriesโค to adapt, flipping between light and dark to โstay readable, that only further adds to the distraction.”
Apple’s press materials showcase the โคdesign with a minimalist aesthetic, featuring aโข desktop โwith subtly โฃ”etched glass” icons, โฃa presentation some find makes differentiating elements tough. The long-term impact of Liquid Glass onโ user experience remains to be โขseen as iOS 17โ rolls out to a wider audience.