Way back in Macintosh’s/Windows’ early days, the graphical user interface, or GUI, was something really special. They popularized the desktop, Windows, and folder metaphors, and promoted them to a wider range of audiences than others had been able to do before. Personally, when I look at their old GUI from this time, I think to myself, “Wow, it was really cheesy looking,” and “Wow, it was so static and looks hard to really work with.” When I look at their old graphical user interface, I immediately notice how they’re limited to monitors, nowhere are they seen obviously on phones, or watches, cars, etc, they’re simply made for a computer’s monitor. That’s one difference I notice. Another I can see is that their old GUI, though effectively using the desktop metaphors, is using skeuomorphism to such a degree that’s why my ‘Gen Z’ brain thinks it looks cheesy or silly looking. Today, we see in both Windows and Apple products a much more minimalist aesthetic design for the desktop metaphor, compromising its shadows and dimension for something more flat and refined. To me the newer more simpler looking designs for the GUI conveys a more intelligent, clear, and speedy feel. Another clear difference between Macintosh’s/Windows’ old GUI and today’s version is that in our current products, we can do more than just use a mouse and keyboard for input. Today, users can tap, swipe, pinch, and speak to provide input for the computer. GUIs today are more focused on feeling natural and being context-aware (rather than just being rigidly visual).
But all the differences between now and then are so easy for me to point out, as I wasn’t even around during this time. All I have known are the better, more evolved versions of these products, and in reality, I have come to see that there are actually a lot of similarities. In terms of similarities between old Macintosh’s/Windows’ GUI, there is a clear, consistent use of the desktop metaphor. Truly, I believe, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” and that can be applied here with this metaphor. Desktops, windows, folders, and icons have become so natural for computer users to understand, even with new interaction modes, these metaphors persist today because they are this cognitively efficient. I would also argue that the visual hierarchy has stayed relatively the same too, and the fact that its so human-centered at the core of its design is something that has also stayed consistent.
Today, I have grown to appreciate how much Macintosh/Windows were able to accomplish in their GUI in their early days, but I am so thankful to be living in the time where it has truly come so far. I love being able to use my computer with very little confusion. Even so, one last thing I would like to argue is that we still have a long way to go in GUI progress. Something I think a lot of designers are thinking of now is accessibility and inclusivity. Despite some decent progress in recent years, many modern interfaces are still excluding a great number of users with disabilities, linguistic differences, and sensory limitations. I think going forward, we as designers should focus more on creating multi-modal designs. Cognitive load and attention is something I myself struggle with in today’s GUI, too. I’m constantly greeted with notifications, infinite scrolls and windows open, and it feels like every decision I make lands me back in a busy screen. I don’t even feel like my attention is truly mine anymore, and so I think this could definitely be a point to focus on in terms of improving the GUI. Lastly, I think we as designers could do a better job at focusing on ethical design. What I mean by this that in early GUIs, modern systems often manipulated users through algorithms and persuasive UX. Today, I think interaction designers should focus on restoring agency and ethical intentionality to digital experiences. I think I’m not alone when I say that I want to be more in control of my experience. I want to feel as though I have more control over what I’m seeing on my own computer screen.