Design Trends - Glassy Icons and Reflections

By: Michael Lipe, creative director, February 15, 2009

It seems that the latest Mac-induced design trend of the 3-dimensional, glassy looking buttons with the clean reflections are seeming to run their course.

It seems that the latest Mac-induced design trend of the 3-dimensional, glassy looking buttons with the clean reflections are seeming to run their course. The iPhone interface seems to have brought this technique to its visual climax, as they used it in a very effective way to drive their GUI (graphic user interface), which was not necessarily a new thing but they seem to do it better than just about everyone else. Now everyone is copying them, as usual, which means that the design community is probably clamboring for the next style wave.

I will admit that I have utilized this technique and have appreciated some of the very effective results that come from applying a few simple gradients and light effects. It is particularly effective in web design as it brings a three-dimensional quality to graphics that is difficult to achieve without the mastery of a 3-D rendering program. The whole web 2.0 look is clean and efficient, but the overly-slick look and feel may leave designers feeling a bit stagnant.

The reflection trend is also one of those easy apply techniques that recently gotten a lot of bang for the buck. Even the latest versions of the Mac-based iWork/iLife software have the reflection tool built in to a simple key command. Which means everyone can do it, and therefore it would appear that the shelf life of this trend is starting to wane.

It is reminiscent of the arc symbol that became the logo craze of the 21st century. It seemed that anyone and everyone who needed a logo simply put a half oval arch shape around the the type and called it a day.Funny enough, people still pay good money to have this decade-old trend applied to their logo and call it a corporate rebrand. Capital One comes to mind. Maybe this is why they recently jacked up my interest rate on my credit card - so that they could pay for their new arch. Hope it was worth it.

 

 

That is not to say that there is not an effective role for these design solutions, and I am certainly not saying that I used my last subtle gradient, reflection or white glossy light blur on a logo. But as with all things design-oriented, we will be keeping our eye on what the next wave will be. GUI’s are usually the trendsetters in this case, so keep your eye on Apple to lead the way, and everyone else to follow.