iOS 7 : Making flat design mainstream

Hello readers,

As the majority of iPhone users have done in the last few weeks, I have taken the step to upgrading to iOS 7, Apple's latest rendition of its mobile user interface. My experience so far has generated mixed feelings towards this latest offering. Personally I feel it's a bit hit and miss. I can't help but feel this iteration of iOS offers more in style than substance, despite a few nice new features for iPhone users to enjoy. That being said most of these features have been enjoyed by Android users for a long time now.

Image courtesy of Google images

Having read some of the feedback on various forums, it seems that iOS7 has caused a real divide in the normally united opinions of the Apple fanbase. Many users complain that it's too simple, or that the functionality has changed too much for easy adaptation to the new design. Others say they love the way it looks and the features make it a more rounded user experience. Motion sickness issues from the interface and problems with iMessage have marked Apple's card somewhat, but for better or for worse, it has definitely got the digital world talking.

What has stood out the most is Apple's move towards flat design. Flat design first appeared as a popular design style during the Soviet era. In the same way as Swiss style design, flat design relies heavily on simplicity and a strong typographic style. Clean sans serif fonts and solid blocks of colour are king in flat design. 

Image courtesy of Google images

Apple are by no means alone in this venture. Microsoft, Ebay, Google and YouTube have all embraced this design trend. So what has caused this collective change? Many factors have been the catalyst for this transition, but there are a couple of things that stand out. 

Image courtesy of Google images

Information overload 
We live in a world where the screen in your pocket dominates all the others in your life. It wakes you up in the morning, checks the traffic, and tells you the best way to get to work. It lets you read your email during meetings, find a lunch spot, schedule a recording on your DVR, and read the day’s news before you doze off at night. With all of this information in a single place, it makes sense that the way this information is relayed back to the user  is easy to read, simple in design and intuitive in it's usability. 

Improving the User's experience
The three tech giants are moving toward flat design in their efforts to improve the overall user experience. Although flat design is not necessary the goal of any design project, it often ends up being the result. In the most simplistic terms, the more design elements you add, the busier the design will be. Gradients, shadows, patterns, and textures can bring a design to life, but too much of it can quickly clutter it up into a huge mess. Better user experience makes your users loyal and happy and increases the chance of your product succeeding.

It's time for a change
In a post Steve Jobs era Apple have a need to push forward to keep up with the times. iOS debuted in 2007 with the first iPhone, and it has changed relatively little since, visually speaking: applications shuffled around, some icon tweaking and polishing, an extra row on the iPad and iPhone 5, some nips and tucks here and there. iOS 7, by contrast, changes everything: it’s the vanguard of Apple’s decision to liquidate skeuomorphic design.

Is flat design the future?
It's impossible to say that this style of design is the future, but what is clear right now is that in a digital world where the focus is on the user's experience, this style looks like it is being adopted by increasing numbers of large technology brands. What is important to mention is that flat design is not the be all and end all in creating an effective smooth user experience, designers have been able to create user friendly interfaces for a long time, without drawing inspiration from this style.

What are your thoughts on Apple's iOS7? Do you the love or loathe the flat design trend?  We'd like to hear what you think.

Chris Cheshire

Brand and Experience Team

www.sovibrant.co.uk

iPhone 5

Like many hundreds of thousands in the world, I am desperately awaiting the launch of the new iPhone5 (which will supposedly just be known as “iPhone”).  My iPhone 3GS was due for an upgrade months ago and I have been tempted by an iPhone 4S, but, I am holding out for the must have iPhone 5.

Unfortunately (or fortunately, whichever way you look at it) there isn’t anything definitive that shows us what this new model will look like or when it’ll be coming to our high street stores.  This morning I stumbled across an article (Mail online) which mentioned the release of the “Mini iPad” on 12^th September, with the release of the iPhone following on 9 days later.... but still nothing set in stone.

The new iPhone is due for its first radical refresh since it launched in 2007, and it is expected to be bigger than ever - at least in terms of the screen-size.  There are many rumours that suggest what the potential changes to its looks and its enhanced features might be. These are some of the most talked about.

-       A new 4” screen (16:9)

-       A metallic plate that covers the back of the iPhone from antenna break to antenna break, leaving only the top and bottom clear, glass, and presumably radio-friendly.

-       The Home button, Sleep/Wake button, and volume controls all look the same, though the front mounted FaceTime camera has presumably  been centred.

Take a look at the images below and see what you think.  If the new model is anything like the above description and images, I’ll be glad I’ve waitied!

Images courtesy of Google Images, IMore, Mail Online

Iphone 5

www.sovibrant.co.uk

 

RIP Steve Jobs

Today the world has woken to the sad news that the leader and face of Apple, Steve Jobs has passed away at the age of 56.

In 2004 Steve was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and in August this year stepped down from his 14 year chief executive position. He sadly passed away only 1 day after the launch of Apple’s latest product, the Iphone 4S.

Steve Jobs was a global inspiration, showing that anyone with a dream can potentially change the world.  He was seen as the heart and soul of the firm which was briefly more valuable than the whole of the USA earlier this year. 

Many well known faces have spoken out this morning about the tragic loss of such an inspiration and modern day genius.   Eric Schmidt of Google said "He uniquely combined an artist's touch and an engineer's vision to build an extraordinary company... One of the greatest American leaders in history."  Mark Zuckerberg has also posted on Facebook this morning “Steve, thank you for being a mentor and a friend. Thanks for showing that what you build can change the world. I will miss you”. (243,188 likes at 08:56 GMT). 

The news has touched millions of people around the globe and from SoVibrant we’d like to say thank you to Steve. He was a true pioneer, a champion of innovation and challenged convention throughout his illustrious career. The list of devices and developments in technology that he was responsible for is truly awesome. He inspired so many people and touched so many lives, the world owes Steve Jobs a debt of gratitude.

RIP Steve Jobs. Thanks for everything.

Today Apple dedicates it's homepage to Steve Jobs

www.sovibrant.co.uk