Free the Icons (weblog.rogueamoeba.com)

Article summary

The article discusses the changes in MacOS app icons, specifically the introduction of 'Liquid Glass' and the forced use of a uniform squircle shape, which the author believes has led to a loss of distinctiveness and usability. The author argues that Apple should allow icons to have distinct shapes again, citing the improvements in Golden Gate as a step in the right direction. The article also mentions the negative impact of the uniform shape on users with color vision deficiency. The author calls for Apple to 'free the icons' and return to a world of varied and expressive app icons.

Main themes

• MacOS app icons
• Uniform shape requirement
• Usability and accessibility
• Design and aesthetics
• Apple's design decisions

What commenters say

• The uniform squircle shape for app icons makes it harder to distinguish between apps, especially for users with color vision deficiency.
• The introduction of Liquid Glass and the forced uniform shape was a step backward for MacOS, and the new CEO should prioritize reversing this decision.
• Linux and open-source software have struggled to create consistent and high-quality icons due to the lack of a unified user base and the difficulty of finding competent designers who will contribute for free.
• Paying designers a livable wage to create high-quality icons could be a solution to the problem of inconsistent and low-quality icons in open-source software.
• The industry-standard tools for illustration are closed and proprietary, making it difficult for open-source contributors to create high-quality icons.
• Some commenters argue that the problem of icon design is not a technical challenge, but rather a matter of getting a unified user base and finding competent designers.
• Others suggest that the focus on programming and technical aspects of open-source software has led to a lack of attention and resources devoted to icon design and user experience.