Exploring the Apple Ecosystem
Apple has reversed its prior macOS design choice of placing icons in every menu item by default, removing this feature in macOS Golden Gate after trying it for a year in macOS Tahoe. The new Human Interface Guidelines now cite the earlier approach as a design mistake, highlighting a shift based on real user experience and a recognition that uniformly icon-free menus offer a clearer, more consistent interface.
Users discussing and critiquing Apple’s new icons, expressing discontent with design changes and lack of recognizability, referencing original icon superiority, and observing humorous interpretations of icons.
Apple’s macOS Tahoe introduces confusing, cluttered icons that hinder user experience, contradicting the basic principles of icon design. Icons should differentiate functions, maintain consistency, and avoid overwhelming users. Tahoe fails in these areas—overflowing with icons that lack distinction, clarity, and metaphor relevance. The article critiques Apple’s icon choices, asserting that design principles dating back to 1992 still apply, highlighting the design’s adverse impact on usability in contrast to historical guidelines. Overall, Tahoe represents a poor execution of icon integration in user interfaces.
touch /Applications/App.app
touch /Applications/App.app/Contents/Info.plist
killall Dock