CCATP_2026_01_21

Описание: In this episode of Chit Chat Across the Pond, I dive into an intriguing discussion with Adam Engst from Tidbits about the impact and design of menu icons in the new macOS Tahoe. Starting off, we examine an article by Nikita Prokopov that critiques the visual clutter introduced by icon-based menus, contrasting this with historical guidelines for user interface design, particularly Apple’s own Human Interface Guidelines from 1992, which advised against excessive graphical elements in menus.

We dissect the current design choices around the menu icons, which have proliferated under the Tahoe release, noting how every menu item seemingly now features an icon. Adam shares his frustration with the lack of clarity these icons bring, especially given our varying perceptions of visual information. We engage in a lively debate about how people like me, who lean towards textual information, navigate these menus compared to those who might find icons more intuitive.

Nikita's article points out that the icons are now often too small (12 by 12 pixels) to convey meaningful information and that many don’t even adhere to standard metaphors understood by users. As we analyze specific examples from the Tahoe update, we highlight how certain icons fail to represent their functions adequately (consider the confusion between “new window” and “new tab,” for example). This brings us into broader discussions of localization versus usability – is it better to have visual elements that don’t require language but may confuse users anyway?

The chat flows into an exploration of personal anecdotes of how different users approach menu navigation, leading to a deeper reflection on the design philosophy driving Apple's decisions. Notably, we address the inconsistency in icon usage across different applications, which underscores the chaotic implementation of this new design standard. Through practical observations, such as menus that do not align properly or that change appearance depending on context (like whether a document is open), we uncover the usability issues that arise with these design decisions.

As our conversation progresses, we touch upon other design choices made in Tahoe, such as the diminishing use of color and the shift towards minimalism, which may serve aesthetic purposes but can detract from functionality. We raise concerns about the importance of user testing in the design process, questioning whether Apple is still conducting the usability studies that allowed them to excel in the past. With Adam's background at Tidbits and my analytical perspective, we find common ground in believing that a balance between design style and user clarity is crucial.

Ultimately, this episode not only critiques the state of menu icons in Tahoe but also serves as a reminder of the foundational principles of user interface design. It calls on designers to remember that while trends may change, the fundamental needs and behaviors of users remain constant.

Chapters:
00:00:00 CCATP_2026_01_21
00:00:09 Introduction to Menu Icons
00:02:29 Perception of Menus
00:04:36 The Issue with Icons
00:07:36 Visual Imagery and Interfaces
00:09:30 The Tahoe Update
00:12:43 The Icon Problem
00:15:41 Inconsistencies in UI
00:19:32 The Size Dilemma
00:21:20 Meaningless Icons
00:25:41 The X Factor
00:27:55 Discrepancies in Menus
00:32:01 Sloppy Design Decisions
00:34:35 Usability Testing
00:47:58 Conclusion on Icon Design
00:53:39 Closing Remarks