Looking very OSXy

I just saw a television spot that made me think, "You know, I've been noticing the OSX operating system on tv a lot lately." This is to say, when showing the screen of someone using a computer, I'm seeing people using a Mac instead of a Windows machine. And besides the obvious, it made me think, "Why?"

Yes, Macs have a big hand up on the cool factor these days. And Apple's line of devices have infiltrated people's homes and workplaces like never before. But they've had the former for a number of years now. And the latter isn't a newborn by any means, either.

And Macs have had a few years now in being the go-to-computer for product placement. But they have only recently started getting their close-up for on-screen content. Whether it's a screencast of someone typing an email in a movie, or just showing off a website on a television spot.

I'm glad to see this. And not just for fanboy reasons.

I believe that Apple's OSX user interface, that is the windows, buttons, icons, etc., are more beautifully designed than any other operating system. And this extends into their mobile devices as well. Why are they better looking than, say, Windows? Here's what I'm thinking. And I'm not alone.

A less-is-more design approach.

If it doesn't need to be there, it isn't. Many user interfaces are overdesigned… trying to make content look good. Apple seems to display content and action items in a way that you almost don't feel you're seeing a designed interface at all. It just looks like the way things should be. 

No need to cover ugly things up.

Can you imagine a dolphin with peakock feathers? It would look a little ridiculous. Now picture a peakock with dolphin skin. It's underlying structure is not very well put together, so it needs fancy, colorful feathers to pretty it up. Most operating systems are covering up their usability and functionality problems with not-so-great graphics.

Back to the television spot that inspired this post. It was a well done screencast of an online business software offering. It was interesting to watch, in that I didn't pay any attention to the computer interface, or even the software itself. I only picked up on what was being accomplished for the user, and it was refreshing. I'm noticing a software design trend, designers stripping as much of a look & feel away from their user interface as possible so that it just blends in with Apple's OSX interface, and I like it.

For instance, I typed this post in Apple's TextEdit program. Why? Because it is stripped to the bone and has nothing I don't need. And only what I do.

My new goal as a design and creative expert is to begin to be more aware of Traction's design efforts and see how far we can strip things down, while still creating a unique and lasting brand impression for our clients. It should be challenging and I'm looking forward to it.