Windows 10 App Design...

[Dot Matrix]

Windows 10 seems to be bringing a whole new (generic) design to applications, however they seem to be all over the place in terms of design. Has Microsoft gone bonkers? What happened to unified application design? Why are the MSN apps different from the likes of Mail and Calendar? Why can't these apps all share a unified design?

 

 

 

 

 

Applications would look so much better if they could share a common functional layout. My favorite so far is the design with Calendar and Mail. These apps still retain Metro elements which I enjoy so much, and contain a functional and pivot like Cheeseburger menu. Thoughts?

[mdtaUK]

I don't think every App needs to share the exact same layout and interface.  But those apps which share the same elements, should implement them in the same way.  The SplitView hamburger menu, side panel should be the same width, use the same icon styles, and animate the same way.

[nosense]

Work in progress. Even maps is different in the latest build than the last build. Build feed shows 10100 build is getting bunch of updates regarding to apps.

 

[Dot Matrix]

Work in progress. Even maps is different in the latest build than the last build. Build feed shows 10100 build is getting bunch of updates regarding to apps.

Even with the updates, those apps all display a lack of unity. They share common elements, but they're all a different design.

[nosense]

Even with the updates, those apps all display a lack of unity. They share common elements, but they're all a different design.

Who knows we have yet to see what these updates brings.  There's way over 100 different build updates since 10061. https://buildfeed.net/

[tompkin]

Windows 10 seems to be bringing a whole new (generic) design to applications, however they seem to be all over the place in terms of design. Has Microsoft gone bonkers? What happened to unified application design? Why are the MSN apps different from the likes of Mail and Calendar? Why can't these apps all share a unified design?

 

 

 

 

 

Applications would look so much better if they could share a common functional layout. My favorite so far is the design with Calendar and Mail. These apps still retain Metro elements which I enjoy so much, and contain a functional and pivot like Cheeseburger menu. Thoughts?

Those look good. It's easier to learn and use if things are as consistent as possible in look and feel.

[CATONKATONK]

While I agree that consistent behaviour is important, a consistent "look" is less desirable.

Which isn't to say I want completely different buttons, window decorations etc.

 

But what I do mean is that I want the layout of each app to be optimised for its content.

For instance:

A grid of pictures is good for a gallery.

It's not so good for a news app.

I hate what they've done to the News app - one of my favourite apps has turned into an unordered jumble with brain-scrambling density. There's no emphasis to orientate yourself in that maze. I've had reservations about the design of Windows 10 otherwise (I'm one of those people that hates "hamburger" menus), but this is the first time something has jumped out at me as being truly, truly ungodly awful. I also hate what they've done with Weather and Music. Too dense. Too chaotic.

 

I can't believe I'm saying this but Microsoft really need to look at what Google have done when it comes to unifying their apps on Android with consistent, universal interactions, without making everything a dumb grid.