Apple’s Jony Ive Pushing iOS Interface Team For ‘Flat’ Design

The relevant paragraph from the original WSJ article:<p>"Some suggested that in Apple’s next mobile operating system, Ive is pushing a more “flat design” that is starker and simpler, according to developers who have spoken to Apple employees but didn’t have further details. Overall, they expect any changes to be pretty conservative."<p>I wouldn't exactly say that switching to a completely flat design as implied in the headline is a 'conservative' change.<p>It's quite obvious that they are unlikely to go down the overly skeuomorphic route as seen in the Podcast app, so this is a fairly 'safe' rumor to spread. But of course, it incites the usual skeuomorphic vs flat arguments with the added bonus of accusations of 'copying' the Metro style.<p>There are many misconceptions in regards to categorizing flat vs skeuomorphic design, here is a good article that explains the differences pretty well.<p><a href="http://sachagreif.com/flat-pixels/" rel="nofollow">http://sachagreif.com/flat-pixels/</a>

Why do I have the impression that if they go flat, they'll be hailed as geniuses and Microsoft will be forgotten forever? (This comment guaranteed 100% conspirationist and crazy)

Sometimes skeuomorphism is useful, when used right. For example, Microsoft's Fresh Paint app for Windows 8. Extreme skeuomorphism which actually combines well within the flat W8 interface, screenshot: <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fa/Freshpaint.png" rel="nofollow">http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fa/Freshpain...</a>

I've always thought that iOS elements looked like Playmobile gear, and clashed horribly with Ive's sleek hardware design. It will be interesting to see the changes Ive will make, and how much better they'll mesh with his hardware.

I never pay attention to those rumors. And for sure they will never copy MS or Google. They will craft something their own.

And please get rid of that ridiculous blue! Anyone using Messages, Mail and Contacts on iPhone has this eye soar sticking right in front. How in the world can someone pick such a strange color and then add that stranger blue bar(I know its automatic) at top.<p>I would be happy to see flat design, but in increments only. And maybe it is time for Apple to leave "best for beginners" ideology and care a bit about advanced users. Give us a little freedom, let me change my default apps, let Siri do more things and small things like that.

The focus on flat vs skeuomorphic is partly due to designs being mainly static drawings. Most UIs have additional dimensions. One dimension that goes underused in Android is the ability to share UI among apps through the use of intent filters. That hasn't advanced much since Android was announced. Both Google and 3rd party developers under-utilize this powerful capability. Google makes a vast suite of apps now, and how often do they "borrow" an activity from each other?<p>Then there s the amount of direct manipulation in apps. Viewpagers are nice, but there isn't a lot of drag-drop, especially on tablets where it provides feedback and trains muscle memory. Audio ques, haptic feedback, animation, etc. are all dimensions in which apps can expand interactivity where the visual interface, on handsets, is tiny.<p>Skeuomorphism that is just pictures of things is obviously dissatisfying, but so is a flat UI that doesn't go beyond simple touch.

I'm not so sure I am all that excited about Ive getting into the UI design that much. Flat, reductionist design sensibilities are good, but not when they go unchecked. Is there anyone at Apple with the weight to say to Ive, "that looks sexy, but no-one gets it"?

I'm gonna wager that "flat" will mean something akin to the google iOS maps app -- very subtle affordances, gradients, etc, without being overkill.

The sad thing about this if it's true is that people will most likely claim Apple are some revolutionary company that invented flat design when Microsoft brought it to the commercial mainstream first before anyone else did. Flat design is in my opinion, Swedish design. The swedes have been designing with a flat perspective long before Microsoft or anyone else made it a trend.

Best watch out. I bet LayerVault will be pissed.

Non-skeuomorphic design is not the same as flat design. The example the WSJ gives to support their idea is the redesign of the lockscreen music controls in IOS 6.1. Not only does the volume slider have a 3D look to it through the use of drop-shadows, but when you tilt the phone the reflection on the button changes.

Show of hands: How many here recall Microsoft's "Palm-size PC"? It began with a "3D" interface. It flopped and MS redid it as "Pocket PC" with a <i>flat</i> UI. (They also moved Start down to the lower left corner, like the PC Windows.) The more things change...

I never considered flat and skeuomorphic to be opposite ends of the same design continuum. Those aren't the only options. I'd like to think the Apple design team is going to wow us with something new. Something better.

Where's the "who cares" comment for me to upvote.<p>Really, it's apple, they've peaked already. Show me the new cool thing<i>.<p></i> Please don't read this as a suggestion apple is dead, it's anything but dead, in the same way Microsoft is.

So much for the "consistent UI" apple fans are always touting as a win over android. Now it seems we will have some apps glossy, some flat, some skeuo, etc...<p>This isn't new. OSX has many different apps that still reflect trends and practices of the era in which they were made.

Now thats skating to where the puck will be.

Why not use tiles with monochrome icons?