Apple’s new design chief, Stephen Lemay, may be just what the company needs to improve its software experience. The departure of Alan Dye has sparked hope that the company will refocus on creating intuitive and user-friendly interfaces.
However, for years, Apple’s design has been plagued by a lack of emphasis on user experience and a focus on showy effects and animations. This can be seen in features like Dynamic Island and Liquid Glass. While these designs may look visually stunning, they often come at the cost of frustrating usability.
The problem lies with Dye’s leadership, who prioritized superficial design choices over functional ones. His appointment was criticized for lacking experience in software design, which led to concerns about his ability to guide Apple’s human interface team.
In contrast, Lemay is a veteran designer with a deep understanding of both Apple’s culture and good software design principles. He has been praised for his attention to detail and craftsmanship, qualities that have been neglected under Dye’s leadership.
With Lemay at the helm, there’s a chance that Apple can return to its roots and create software that prioritizes user experience over visual appeal. The introduction of Liquid Glass toggle is a prime example of this, where aesthetics took precedence over usability.
While it won’t happen overnight, with a designer who understands solid principles, Apple may finally get its software back on track.
Source: https://www.macworld.com/article/3001046/apple-design-reset-alan-dye-departure-fix-the-iphone.html