Interesting read: Apple is really bad at design

[mouser]

The “notch” on the new iPhone X is not just strange, interesting, or even odd — it is bad. It is bad design, and as a result, bad for the user experience...Plenty has been written about the mind-numbing, face-palming, irritating stupidity of the notch. And yet, I can’t stop thinking about it. I would love to say that this awful design compromise is an anomaly for Apple. But it would be more accurate to describe it as the norm.

https://theoutline.com/post/2352/apple-is-really-bad-at-design

from http://www.osnews.com/story/30036/On_notches_chins_and_foreheads

[Jimdoria]

Thanks for this!

I've worked for many years doing interface design for some very big companies. What's almost universal is the awestruck reverence for Apple's design chops. It nicely combines corporate culture's respect for hierarchy with capitalism's tendency to let others innovate so as to avoid risk. The point is, people expect Apple to have gotten it right, and then copy them (as far as the budget allows) on the belief that their design work is the gold standard.

I don't expect this attitude to change just because the quality of Apple's design work has changed. Once people start playing follow-the-leader, the leader no longer has to worry about earning their position. A deterioration of the quality of Apple's design work will have repercussions well beyond Apple's products and customers.

[TaoPhoenix]

"Haven't read yet" type remark in passing.

So maybe some "notch" thingie" might not be so hot, but "Apple is bad at design" is a pretty big stretch!

Ignoring all the privacy type problems in that other policy thing they do, I think Apple nailed some 85ish out of 100 design decisions they have made across some eight products. Enough to pulverize entire businesses!

[ewemoa]

Am reminded of:

  https://www.fastcodesign.com/3053406/how-apple-is-giving-design-a-bad-name

[Deozaan]

It seems to me that most tech sites have reacted to the news of the iPhone X with anything ranging from excitement to cautious optimism to confusion, as well as some disapproval. But I haven't seen anything that matches the derision like when Microsoft announced Windows 10.