Exceptional Design Was Once Apple’s Forte

Orlando M. Arias
Aug 31, 2018 · 2 min read

As a technology geek, I have loved Apple products for their industrial design. As a designer, I have been a huge fan of the cleanliness and purposefulness of their interface design. As these combined, I have been let down by Apple in recent years. The same company that gave us exceptional products like the beautiful and colorful iMac in 1998, the iPod in 2001, the revolutionary iPhone in 2007, in recent years has given us products that “boast” of questionable design decisions.

Here are 5 things to prove that questionable design decisions are NOW Apple’s Forte, in no particular order.

This “leaked” Apple Watch Series 4 UI

I never thought I would say the words “Busy Design” and “Apple” in the same sentence until now, if true.

Photo: 9to5Mac

The Apple Pencil Charging Situation

Does one need to comment on this?

Photo: Sarah Tew/CNET

The Infamous Macbook Pro Touch bar

Great solution to an imaginary problem.

Photo: Apple.com

The Notch

This has made me stick with my iPhone 6s longer than I expected. I still don’t understand this one.

Photo: Apple.com

The new Mac Pro

Hear me out. This is an amazing technological/spacial achievement. Some could argue the new Mac Pro is a great design achievement as well but let’s not forget context here. The previous version was the elegant, loved and beautiful Mac Pro pictured right.

Photo: Macworld.com / IDG

Conclusion

People will continue to buy and Apple will continue to thrive. In fact, we have recently learned that Apple became the first company to reach the 1 Trillion valuation. Interestingly enough, they’ve done it despite these questionable design decisions. Imagine what they can achieve if exceptional design finds its way into their products again.

Orlando M. Arias

Written by

Christian, husband, father, designer and faithful Knicks fan. I love to design and build digital things.

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