macOS Big Sur has been a long time coming, with the new operating system announced way back in June at Apple's WWDC event. It's finally arrived, and users are now getting to grips with new features as well as a brand new look. But one aspect of the updated design is already drawing heat from users online.
macOS Big Sur's icons appear to mark a return to skeuomorphism, which is more realistic than flat design. With increased shadows adding texture and depth, these new icons are certainly more 3D than anything we've seen for a while from Apple. After downloading the new software, many users have taken to Twitter to make their feelings known about the icons. (If you're in the market for a Mac, check out our best MacBook Black Friday deals.)
Some of macOS Big Sur's new icons (Image credit: Apple)
When the software was first announced, many early beta users were less than complimentary about the new icons. In a MacRumors thread dedicated to the offending designs, users described the icons as "horrific and poorly designed," with one suggesting "it's like Apple has just discovered the shadow effect". And now that the software is finally available to the public, many more users are sharing their thoughts.
The new Big Sur icons are too colourful and 'fun' 😢 bring back my Catalina simplicityNovember 13, 2020
Damn system preferences icons in Big Sur are a complete mess. pic.twitter.com/rE44bqKYlhNovember 13, 2020
just updated my macbook to macos big sur and I just want to say that whoever designed these icons needs to BE FIRED BECAUSE THIS IS THE UGLIEST MAC SOFTWARE I HAVE EVER SEENNovember 13, 2020
I'm sorry but what on earth is this... #BigSur pic.twitter.com/Kp0259NtqBNovember 13, 2020
As the world of icon and logo design marches on towards flat design, a return to 3D, skeuomorphic design might seem like a backwards step for Apple. Perhaps the problem here is a lack of consistency – while the Stickies icon (with its handwritten shopping list) is positively skeuomorphic with its realistic design, others (such as Messages and Facetime) look like modern, flat designs with a drop shadow slapped on. It's almost as though Apple can't make up its mind which way it wants to go.
However, not everybody is hating the new designs. Indeed, some (below) are enjoying the extra detail of the new style, and appreciating the more fun, colourful look:
In LOVE with these new Big Sur icons pic.twitter.com/1eGhyFgWNyNovember 13, 2020
I don't get why people don't like Big Sur's icons, they look fine to me. pic.twitter.com/ZvJq6u2zkkNovember 13, 2020
While Apple may well continue to tweak the icons and eventually find a sweet spot between the two extremes of flat design and skeuomorphism, we'd like to see a little more consistency across macOS Big Sur.
There's been plenty for Mac fans to get their teeth into over the past few days, with the launch of Big Sur as well as the announcement of not one but three new Macs featuring Apple's own custom M1 chips. Check out the best MacBook deals below, and if you're looking for all the best offers in one place, head over to our Apple Black Friday and MacBook Black Friday pages.
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Daniel John is Design Editor at Creative Bloq. He reports on the worlds of design, branding and lifestyle tech, and has covered several industry events including Milan Design Week, OFFF Barcelona and Adobe Max in Los Angeles.
