MacOS Big Sur has an iconography problem

Today, Apple announced macOS Big Sur — an awesome update for the macOS ecosystem, bringing tons of visual changes and a refreshing look to your Mac.

There’s just one problem: Apple somehow managed to mess up their iconography.

I’ll start by giving an example: Here’s some of the new app icons, taken from macOS 11’s Human Interface Guidelines:

Apple says their new icons “provide a unified visual experience”

Note how the Mail app features a heavy drop shadow, and the overall icon depth has increased quite a lot with more shadows in general. This style is called skeuomorphism, and has been used by Apple in previous macOS versions, but has later been phased out in favor of flat design. So apparently, we’re seeing its return in this macOS version.

But there’s an issue here: macOS Big Sur is also the first operating system version to feature SF Symbols, Apple’s own icon set — featuring a flat, minimalist style. And those two design styles don’t go well together.

Have an example: Also within Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines, there’s a screenshot of the redesigned Finder: A beautiful, elegant piece of software, featuring the new SF Symbol icons in its sidebar:

Apple added new icons to macOS that shine within its new Finder sidebar.

But wait! Take a closer look at the folder icons. Note how they have also been updated, reflecting the new skeuomorphic app icon style, which is in total conflict with the clean and minimalist SF Symbols:

The new folder icons in action. They kind of suck.

So while Apple is pushing a new minimalist, flat and clean macOS layout, featuring SF Symbols and new, cleaned up UI elements, they are also making a push towards more skeuomorphic icons — that doesn’t make sense at all!

So please, Tim Apple, choose a side: Shadows and realism, or flat and clean? Both don’t work, as is clearly visible.

Let me know your opinion on the topic below!