It's hard to justify Tahoe icons (tonsky.me)

Article summary

The article discusses the new icons in macOS Tahoe, criticizing their design for being unpleasant, distracting, and confusing. The author argues that the icons fail to differentiate between menu items, lack consistency, and are often too detailed or rely on text, making them hard to recognize. The article also references the Macintosh Human Interface Guidelines from 1992, suggesting that some principles of good design remain relevant today. The author concludes that adding an icon to every menu item is an impossible task and that Apple should have prioritized simplicity and clarity.

Main themes

• Icon design
• User experience
• Consistency in UI
• Design principles
• macOS Tahoe

What commenters say

• The article's criticism of macOS Tahoe's icons is valid, but the author's own website features a distracting snow animation that undermines their point.
• The snow animation on the article's website is a minor issue and does not detract from the validity of the article's arguments.
• The design of the website, including the snow animation and yellow background, is a perfect example of how not to design a user interface.
• The article's points about icon design and user experience are well-taken, but the tone is too negative and critical.
• The use of animations and special effects on websites can be annoying and distracting, and should be used sparingly or with an easy option to turn them off.
• The article's reference to the Macintosh Human Interface Guidelines from 1992 is relevant and highlights the importance of timeless design principles.
• The website's design flaws, including the snow animation, are a minor issue compared to the substance of the article, which provides a thoughtful critique of macOS Tahoe's icons.