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Interesting Windows Desktop UI Concept

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293 pointsrobinraszka69 comments

Not to take away from the work, but am I missing something? This strikes me as primarily being a visual design or what some people call a theme.

This is a great visual design. It's cohesive and incorporates zune/metro very well. I particularly like how the focus window is highlighted and everything else fades a little. However, I think this redesign (and Metro itself) also highlights how minimalism isn't necessarily the best trend to follow - at least not to the extremes. I see a design that's somewhat flat and we may perceive differently if the background was a solid colour.

> am I missing something? This strikes me as primarily being a visual design or what some people call a theme.

Looks like it's a little more than a theme, maybe a theme for a shell replacement? Like what desktop modders used to do with LiteStep* back in the day.

Very attractive, I would add -- minimalistic, clean, perhaps a little soulless. I'd use it, though, as others commented, the lack of contrast might get a little taxing in the long run, hard to say.

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LiteStep

Agreed. I like this visually, but the title is misleading.

I don't see a new "UI Concept" here.

I love visual design exercises like this, but it's one thing to throw it out there and a completely separate (10000x harder) feat to actually have this implemented. If you usability test this interface, it's going to fail all over the place. Remember, Windows is probably the only piece of software with EVERY SINGLE segment of users.

http://cdn.robszumski.com/share/file-copy.png The file copy window that's tacked on to the explorer window contains way too much information. A skilled but non-technical user is going to see "164 MB/s" and "72%". Where's the time left? You have to remember, people don't read -- at all, ever.

"Hey user, how do you tell when this is done?" "Funny you mention that, I never have any idea. I know that the percent is there in the squiggly bar, but what does that mean? Each week my podcasts seem to take different amounts of time to copy, but I never really know."

http://cdn.robszumski.com/share/copy-worst-case.png "Sometimes I can't even read the number because the line goes straight through it." Obviously this could be designed in a much better way, but when you look at these perfect screenshots it's impossible to see how it would act. This is where designers make their money for the company.

There are a lot of people in the comments of the article saying the author should be hired by Microsoft. I don't think that's going to happen.

While it's too early to say what will be in the final build, that is one que he seemed to have taken from the MSDN Windows 8 blog, http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2011/08/23/improving-our-...

I also call foul on the mock-up you posted with the unreadable text. This is a problem commonly solved in all form of design work by putting a stroke on text that's not on a solid background color. Your mock-up there is more straw-man than informed counter-oint.

But I agree with your broader point that this would be given poor marks in a usability study. For one, the dozen shades of grey, seemingly a go-to favorite for designers, strikes me as quite un-functional.

Usability issues aside, the UI is so flat and, in places, so low-contrast, there's a large segment of the population that wouldn't be able to see it, let alone use it.

That won't be a major problem provided there is an easy way to change to e theme that gives better contrast/readability.

They don't need the default UI to acceptably cover 100% of their market if it can do a better job for 95% of people with a switch that does a better job for the other 5%.

I don't quite understand the benefit of a transfer speed vs. progress percentage plot. Transfer speed should be viewed as a function of time.

>I love visual design exercises like this, but it's one thing to throw it out there and a completely separate (10000x harder) feat to actually have this implemented. If you usability test this interface, it's going to fail all over the place. Remember, Windows is probably the only piece of software with EVERY SINGLE segment of users.

100% agree. I love looking at these visual designs, but most of the time they weren't done with real usability concerns in mind.

When it comes to commenters saying the author should be hired by Microsoft, something like that would definitely almost never happen in this industry but it seems like some shops really embrace the handing off the design reigns to graphic designers. Google and RIM have both shifted the direction of their UI approach to departments with visual design backgrounds and less usability, human factors or research driven design backgrounds. There's been a lot of attention directed at Google and I'm curious of RIM's choices pan out, as The Astonishing Tribe appears to have full reigns of RIM's BB UI.

Visually it looks nice but practically I don't think it works for a lot of users. I would guess that with all the white-space and over-sized elements you're only getting maybe 50% of the same content on a screen layout. What this would be good for say is to throw Windows into a "Streamlined" mode. Set basic users set this interface and then use the stock UI for advanced users.

reminds me of the current google design paradigms. wish the creator would make this into a gnome3 theme (and possibly a dark version)? i would totally use it.

I'd be happy with a theme for that as well. Even some Windows theme fiddling could get that to work.

Yeah, it would be really nice to see some Linux themes inspired more by the core ideas of Metro and less by Apple's software design (which I find lacking).

Also, I can't help thinking that this sort of design is very good for tiling window managers :).

How hard is it to theme "linux"(KDE/GNOME/ETC)? I've never done it as I don't use the Linux Desktop (I need Photoshop) but I've always wanted to try and help improve the linux desktop experience. Is anyone working on a theme actively or know someone to put me in touch with?

KDE-look.org might be a good place to start, http://kde-look.org/index.php?xsortmode=high&page=0&..., if for nothing else then it can put you in touch with current theme designers.

You can also check the GTK theming tutorial (for Gnome 2 and 3):

http://live.gnome.org/GnomeArt/Tutorials/GtkThemes

or get in touch with the design team at Canonical:

http://design.canonical.com/

I'm not sure it would work well with tiling windows. Tiled UIs must adapt to very different window sizes and, probably, switch layouts accordingly.

There's a similar theme already called Elegant_brit. It doesn't look exactly same, but there's resemblance.

Also in this concept window manager takes really much screen estate. Even tough it looks great while looking at non-maximized windows, it would start itching really quick when working in day-to-day basis. Also I wonder how concept author would replace lost functionality of menu bar...

Finally, what bugs me most is that scroll bars are a rip-off from Ubuntu-like scroll bars. (I don't say that Ubuntu didn't ripped them off tho.)

Welp, I don't like it. It's too, erm, "indistinct" [which itself is a pretty nondescript description!]. For MS I suspect they couldn't use this as a major theme because of lack of contrast.

On a consistency POV, in http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/9029/desktopoy.jpg, why does the [web] browser have a separated tab bar but the file manager doesn't? No tabbed file browsing? Why are the tabs in the skype window not coloured like those of the browser window?

Aside: Which leads me on to wonder as cloud storage and web apps grow ever more the focus will we move back to the earlier concept behind IE [and Konqueror and the like] of browsing local and web-based content through a single interface.

Couple of other questions on the UI - why is the top padding inconsistent, and so large (it's massive isn't it?!); where is the limit of the scrollbar and why don't the scrollbars start a consistent distance from the top of the window.

I can see why it's loved by those being vocal about it; but it's not for me.

And Skype! half the width is devoted to the contacts list, cramming the actual conversation into as much space as you get on your standard smart-phone. Do they really expect you to be devoting that much time to gazing longingly at your list of contacts, instead of communicating?

Is there any good resource to learn how to use colors in design, the stuff i make always looks like crap because i only take standard ones.

I envy this guy for this ability, incredible good taste in unobtrusive colors.

there's a field of color theory, concepts like compliments, but then tertiary compliments, and several other forms. unobtrusive gets into an overlap of usability concerns, taste, colorblindness, and just overall theme. i'm sure if you just pay attention to a little more and google some you can find answers to what you're looking for. ubuntu has a nifty color theory utility called avage ... and there are sites like color lovers and such.

The thing is, i look at this theme and i know it looks great, but i can't understand why! As an hacker really bugs me.

I know this color tools, but what are the ingredients that makes something look good compared to another design? When i think the rounded colors are the reason, something like this comes up and proves me wrong.

I am aware design is not a trivial matter (i work at IDEO), but where do i start?

Two things that transcend trends. White space + good typography. Colors are an accent.

There is an underlying grid. The typography has a consistent visual flow. The elements form the structure on the "page/screen" instead of creating containers to hold the elements. Not to sound pompous, but there is clarity. You may want to look into swiss design for influences.

If you wanna talk to someone who went to art school with more specific questions, feel free to email me. My email is in my profile. :)

The email in your profile doesn't work.

Fixed and responded to your email. Good luck and don't blame us when you start to see the world differently.

I can understand feeling frustrated, but it's a little unfair on yourself. Most designers hone their ability through constant application of their skill, not to mention very often years of expensive schooling. Nobody does it overnight. Although it's certainly possible to do without the expensive formal schooling.

> what are the ingredients

The ingredients (AKA the elements and principles of design): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Design_elements_and_principles

If you're not going to quit your job to go to SVA or RISD, I'd say the best place to start is to pick up a few books and do exercises. Give yourself time, don't get frustrated, and work at it. There are a lot of good resources in print out there. You could do worse than Alan Pipes's Foundations of Art and Design

http://www.laurenceking.com/product/Foundations+of+Art+---+D...

I'm not aware of anything really fantastic available for free online.

Thanks for the suggestions, what is so difficult for me is i don't see progress. How i said, i don't think it is something to learn overnight. I just don't saw a starting point yet, in the technical world there is always a tutorial.

That book sounds very interesting, this is probably the thing i was looking for.

This might be helpful too, a very good book on the basics:

http://www.amazon.com/Visual-Grammar-Design-Briefs-Christian...

I'm just like you in that I'm more of a hacker that has trouble figuring out how to make things look good. Try this book (I've read 3/4 of it--excellent book):

http://www.amazon.com/Design-Hackers-Reverse-Engineering-Bea...

It was made just for people like us!

I really like the book Design for Hackers http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005J578EW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?... by David Kadavy.

I read it, and I've told about six of my friends to buy it. They all have, and we've all gone from really no design sense whatsoever to at least being able to understand WHY something looks good (or not)

someone friendly here showed me this website (here example: [1]) as an .. ekhm... "inspiration" for colors for their websites.

Because I suck on simple graphics design (layouts+color matchmaking) I use it too.

Each image has colors it majorly use plus you can pickup your color and see others projects. very cool!

[1] http://dribbble.com/shots/444224-NikeFuel-Active?list=popula...

Go to study older maps, the best place to learn about subtlety in colors.

Play around with a color wheel[1]. There are set ways to choose colors that go well together: for example, you can just use shades of a single color, or you can use a color and its complement for emphasis. I think actually seeing a color wheel and the results is a very visceral way to get a feel for basic color theory.

[1]: http://colorschemedesigner.com/

I highly suggest taking a few basic color theory, or just design 101 classes, at your local community college or art school. It's cheap, and it'll cover the basics, which is really all you need to get started on learning the rest yourself!

Practice copying other's work. If you know the mechanics of Illustrator or Photoshop, challenge yourself to reproduce something you admire (from Dribbble?) pixel for pixel from scratch.

Take a particular area of the screen and without using an eyedropper tool, try to select the exact color of each detailed element yourself from the color picker tool. So for example when you see subtle lines or gradients, how does that color vary from the base color? Is it simply darker? Or does it change hue or saturation?

These exercises will train your eyes to have a good feel for how the colors blend and flow together on screen. With lots of practice, you'll develop your own style and your stuff will stop looking like crap.

I also suck at design, so I always find a palette I like on colourlovers.com and it works good.

Johannes Itten, of the Bauhaus, is the go to guy for colour theory, both these books are fantastic:

The Art of Color: The Subjective Experience and Objective Rationale of Color

http://www.amazon.com/Art-Color-Subjective-Experience-Object...

The Elements of Color: A Treatise on the Color System of Johannes Itten Based on His Book the Art of Color

http://www.amazon.com/Elements-Color-Treatise-System-Johanne...

Looks like Windows with a thick layer of gmail paint.

Agree with other's comments. Looks a ton like new Google. And why all the backlash against structure? People like structure.

Google is "wanting to move away from explicit box structures and to use type and spacing more to indicate structure."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGIU2JX1U5Y

I really enjoy the lack of rounded corners. It's very crisp. I've been annoyed that older browsers don't support CSS rounded corners, but now I realize I can do without.

Though I'm not a Windows user (and won't be in the foreseeable future), but I really liked it. This one was particularly nice and novel: http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/4174/explorer3.jpg

This reminds me of one of my favorite GTK themes: Elegant Brit (http://gnome-look.org/content/show.php/?content=74553).

It's all just a play on the Zune desktop software. http://i.minus.com/iDQRFmra9Ayqs.PNG

That's really a great re-design concept. It looks really good without lacking functionality--I'd love to use that over Metro any day (especially after having used it in Windows 8 developer preview).

its interesting to see how we going back to basics. from windows 3.11 where there was like 256 colors through windows 95/XP more blurry, shadows, rounded stuff, through new windows design that just look "cleaner" and uses better matched color palette, but not much different from initials.

The funny thing is we do this everywhere. The most important thing I learned durning my time at art school was that the art world (And the world by extension) moves in cycles. Everything is a reaction to what was prior.

I've said for several years that Windows should abandon the 3D-style UI elements, and stop overwhelming users with color.

Imagine if you went to a website, and all the UI elements were pseudo-3D. It would look a mess.

I look at the Explorer window...

(http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/5892/explorer1o.jpg)

...and I see that the columns are titled:

    120 items,detail view     date     type

So you can sort by date, or type, but not name? And you can't adjust the column width?

I gave up then.

IMO, the taskbar is what caught my attention the most - the best use of a chromeless design that i've seen.

Since this will never make its way onto Windows, maybe some Linux distro or UI manager could pick it up? Is this more than the typical skinning/theming capabilities can support?

I also always wished the BeOS UI was more available now than just the Haiku project.

Oh no... I hate the small tabs on top of Windows. By making them variable size, you always had to hunt the functions on the right part of the tab.

But I agree it was beautiful. Back then I made a BeOS theme for my Windows NT 4 box.

Zune inspired - pretty damn good!

A lot of these look like the Basecamp Next UI (ex. the colors, the rectangles and squares etc.). I especially liked the Skype UI. Anyway, well done!

I would say it's more zune/wp7 inspired than gmail inspired.

Both are minimalistic, but the icons, colors, shapes and white space feels very much like zune/wp7.

This reminds me of one of the E17 themes. Cause yeah, on free software, you can actually make your mockup a reality :-)

There are some good UI ideas. Wish the Linux desktop designers would implement some of them.

Seems to be heavily inspired from Gmail and all the latest Google's new design hoopla!

Awesome nevertheless!

I just wish this actually gets implemented.

Well at least it is some great idea to look into. Although M$ has a habit of copying other people's idea and make it WORST.

Another day to go before Windows 8 CP.

if ubuntu had this, game over MS/Apple!

Hmmm looks like Zune. I'll argue it's one the best pieces of software to come out of Microsoft. Too bad MS just killed.

It's not killed, it's called Windows Phone 7 now.

There was a program called Zune for Windows desktop which was like Windows Media Player but with a radical UI.

Something similar will probably surface for Windows 8 Metro interface.

There still is. It is the default way to sync Zune HDs and WP7 devices.

Much of the zune visuals live on in the xbox and windows 8 as well. WhileMS had some terrible design in the past they seem to be entering a new phase where design is at the forefront.

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