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The rest were all too flat...

Apr 30, 2013#1

strawman

Flat design is becoming popular:

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/23/the-flattening-of-design/

In some respects, flat graphics can be seen as a nod back to early print, specifically Russian propaganda war posters. At the time, before computers — yes, there was such an era — designers were forced to create flat images because of printing constraints. Now it seems to be happening again, but with screens.

When today’s graphics are too busy — layered with gradients and elaborate typography — people are forced to try to navigate a clutter of information in a very small space. On a smartphone screen, for example, a flat icon of a musical note can tell a story much quicker than an intricate picture of a shiny sparkling CD.

“It’s that whole notion of ornamental decoration with excess baggage, which the Modernists wanted no part of because it wasn’t a pure design,” Mr. Heller said, noting that he calls overly ornate typography and design the Cult of the Squiggly. “It’s clear if you put too many things on a page you’re going to cause a distraction. In a small screen environment, you can’t do that either. You can’t afford distractions.”

Apr 30, 2013#2

Dave

And it doesn't make it look any less stupid. Some of the examples they used were obviously changed to be more "Facebook" friendly. And will people leaving fb in record numbers, it does seem to be a short-sighted strategy.

Apr 30, 2013#3

sixpackshaker

Flat design sounds like apologists for Windows 8.

Apr 30, 2013#4

AshburnerX

Dave said:
And it doesn't make it look any less stupid. Some of the examples they used were obviously changed to be more "Facebook" friendly. And will people leaving fb in record numbers, it does seem to be a short-sighted strategy.

People are already leaving Facebook in numbers. The second it became a place where your parents and boss could see what you were doing, young people went back to texting and messaging stuff. Hell, it's why -I- barely use it anymore.

Apr 30, 2013#5

fade

And all the political nutjobs.

Apr 30, 2013#6

PatrThom

Design has been wrestling the big spiral/angle fight for ages. Baroque gave way to Neoclassical, Art Nouveau was replaced by Art Deco, and on it goes. Designers who pay extra close attention to the direction of that pendulum no doubt reap the greatest rewards. I'm no historian, but the dynamic seems blatantly obvious.

--Patrick

May 1, 2013#7

GasBandit

They got together and asked, "What graphics paradigm can we use that is even more inane than the rounded-glossy-bubble shit we've been pushing for the last decade that finally culminated in iphones and windows 7?" Flat was their solution.

And I hesitate to tell you guys what I thought this thread would be about at first glance at the topic.

May 1, 2013#8

PatrThom