Tuesday, December 27, 2016
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Friday, April 3, 2015
Yet another app concept.
Here are some concepts for Windows 10 apps that I think address some of the common issues I perceive with Win10 thus far. Enjoy!
Click on pictures to enlarge.
Click on pictures to enlarge.
Spartan
I think that the current Spartan build looks great; however, there is almost too much whitespace. I feel that a lot of the current elements can be combined to one bar as seen above (similar to IE now). Also, I think it'd be a good idea to combine relevant tabs (Facebook tabs, for instance. Or pages "opened in a new tab").
File Explorer:
I thought that the ribbons in Win8 were cool at first, but I began to realize that I never really used them. I'd much prefer the Win7/Vista way where relative options appear on the options bar as they become relevant (when I select a picture or folder for instance). I feel that these buttons would be easier for touch.
OneNote:
I love the current OneNote, but I think that a few improvements can be made. This adopts a similar interface to Spartan while also keeping touch with the desktop version of OneNote. I love the radial menu in OneNote and I'd like it to be implemented in more of the apps. Perhaps it could only be present on touch interfaces, while the menu bar would be available on desktop computers.
What do you think?
Friday, October 24, 2014
Windows 10 Design Concept
Yet again I have made another design for you to judge. I think this one looks a bit better. I drew inspiration from the image leaked previously (below) and also from OSX (the shadows and the navigation pane because it's probably the clearest implementation of a navigation pane I've seen thus far in an OS).
At first I didn't think I'd like having no taskbar, but the buttons retain the rectangular shape so it's almost as if the taskbar is still present. The task view has been moved to the right next to the notifications button.
Notice that there is a TABS button in File Explorer (circle to the right). I understand that a lot of people want this and I think it would be a cool feature to have. It would work similar to how metro Internet Explorer displays tabs, but you would be able to click and drag them into their own windows if you wanted to.
Also notice that I have moved the ellipses (...) from the top left of metro windows to a button in line with the minimize, maximize, and close buttons. I think this makes sense design-wise and because it should be implemented in every app. This button would then give users access to different charms and advanced options as the developer wishes. The hamburger menu button simply shows and hides the navigation pane.
(Click to enlarge)
What do you think?
At first I didn't think I'd like having no taskbar, but the buttons retain the rectangular shape so it's almost as if the taskbar is still present. The task view has been moved to the right next to the notifications button.
Notice that there is a TABS button in File Explorer (circle to the right). I understand that a lot of people want this and I think it would be a cool feature to have. It would work similar to how metro Internet Explorer displays tabs, but you would be able to click and drag them into their own windows if you wanted to.
Also notice that I have moved the ellipses (...) from the top left of metro windows to a button in line with the minimize, maximize, and close buttons. I think this makes sense design-wise and because it should be implemented in every app. This button would then give users access to different charms and advanced options as the developer wishes. The hamburger menu button simply shows and hides the navigation pane.
(Click to enlarge)
What do you think?
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
"Windows" [updated concept]
Hello Tribe!
I've taken in several of your ideas and considerations into this updated version of my last concept. Mainly, I've simplified the taskbar quite a bit and slimmed down some of the lines. (Old concept here.) I've decided to keep a view of all the desktops that you may have open in a single taskbar. By removing the icon backgrounds and thinning down some of the old lines, I have achieved this. (I apologize in advance for the shadowing behind the OneDrive app. Publisher does not have good shadow effects. There was no immediate way to make them look better.)
The New Windows
Click to enlarge.
Notes from before:
Notice in the Taskbar how after the first 5 apps there is a white bar. This divider between the groups of apps represents dividers between desktops. I really hope they keep all apps visible in the taskbar and make only a small distinction between the desktops like this (I feel like it would be less like playing "where's my app?"). Obviously, the background should change with each desktop. You could then zoom out to see a summary of all your desktops and running apps by double clicking the "Show Desktop" button in the lower right corner.
Also notice the last app section on the taskbar that has the IE, File Explorer, Zune (wishful thinking), phone, and messaging apps. This is your phone (or other device) with Microsoft apps synced. I feel as if this is the best implementation of "continuity" or "handoffs"- like features in any operating system. Also, I've placed a couple of status symbols here that indicate the battery life and connectivity of your device. Clicking these can put your device (phone, tablet, etc.) into certain modes, such as if you click the battery, you could put your phone on power saver or clicking the connectivity button could turn on hotspots. This continuity-like feature would be great for other devices that you have running under your Microsoft ID including phones and other computers (or Xbox for that matter).
Ultimately, clicking the "+" at the end adds a new desktop with a couple of app icons. Apps/programs can be moved easily from one desktop to another by clicking and dragging the icon of the app from one desktop divider to another.
Thanks and let me know what you think! Constructive criticism is appreciated.
I've taken in several of your ideas and considerations into this updated version of my last concept. Mainly, I've simplified the taskbar quite a bit and slimmed down some of the lines. (Old concept here.) I've decided to keep a view of all the desktops that you may have open in a single taskbar. By removing the icon backgrounds and thinning down some of the old lines, I have achieved this. (I apologize in advance for the shadowing behind the OneDrive app. Publisher does not have good shadow effects. There was no immediate way to make them look better.)
The New Windows
Click to enlarge.
Notes from before:
Notice in the Taskbar how after the first 5 apps there is a white bar. This divider between the groups of apps represents dividers between desktops. I really hope they keep all apps visible in the taskbar and make only a small distinction between the desktops like this (I feel like it would be less like playing "where's my app?"). Obviously, the background should change with each desktop. You could then zoom out to see a summary of all your desktops and running apps by double clicking the "Show Desktop" button in the lower right corner.
Also notice the last app section on the taskbar that has the IE, File Explorer, Zune (wishful thinking), phone, and messaging apps. This is your phone (or other device) with Microsoft apps synced. I feel as if this is the best implementation of "continuity" or "handoffs"- like features in any operating system. Also, I've placed a couple of status symbols here that indicate the battery life and connectivity of your device. Clicking these can put your device (phone, tablet, etc.) into certain modes, such as if you click the battery, you could put your phone on power saver or clicking the connectivity button could turn on hotspots. This continuity-like feature would be great for other devices that you have running under your Microsoft ID including phones and other computers (or Xbox for that matter).
Ultimately, clicking the "+" at the end adds a new desktop with a couple of app icons. Apps/programs can be moved easily from one desktop to another by clicking and dragging the icon of the app from one desktop divider to another.
Thanks and let me know what you think! Constructive criticism is appreciated.
Thursday, August 14, 2014
My Threshold Preview
I've been planning this concept for a while, but haven't had the time to put it together. So, here is a preliminary image to show what I've been working on. There is a little refinement that needs to be done, but overall this captures my thoughts for Threshold.
Notice in the Taskbar how after the first 5 apps there is a white bar. This divider between the groups of apps represents dividers between desktops. I really hope they keep all apps visible in the taskbar and make only a small distinction between the desktops like this (I feel like it would be less like playing "where's my app?"). You could then zoom out to see a summary of all your desktops and running apps by double clicking the "Show Desktop" button in the lower right corner.
Also notice the last app section on the taskbar that has the IE, File Explorer, Zune (wishful thinking), phone, and messaging apps. This is your phone with Microsoft apps synced. I feel as if this is the best implementation of "continuity" or "handoffs"- like features in any operating system. I forgot to place it, but before the last divider there should be a battery and connectivity symbol that will display some brief information about your device. This continuity-like feature would be great for other devices that you have running under your Microsoft ID including phones and other computers (or Xbox for that matter).
Dear Microsoft,
Please do not eliminate the charms. Yes, I believe they were poorly received on the desktop and in general, but they are a great way to access information in the same way across every single app. I understand the need to remove the charms bar for mouse/keyboard users, but perhaps you could simply re-implement them in a different area. I think you should keep it the same for tablet users.
In a future post I will give a little more detail as to how I would like to see charms uniformly implemented, but briefly it'll just say that it would be a great idea to have them in the jumplists on the taskbar.
Notice in the Taskbar how after the first 5 apps there is a white bar. This divider between the groups of apps represents dividers between desktops. I really hope they keep all apps visible in the taskbar and make only a small distinction between the desktops like this (I feel like it would be less like playing "where's my app?"). You could then zoom out to see a summary of all your desktops and running apps by double clicking the "Show Desktop" button in the lower right corner.
Also notice the last app section on the taskbar that has the IE, File Explorer, Zune (wishful thinking), phone, and messaging apps. This is your phone with Microsoft apps synced. I feel as if this is the best implementation of "continuity" or "handoffs"- like features in any operating system. I forgot to place it, but before the last divider there should be a battery and connectivity symbol that will display some brief information about your device. This continuity-like feature would be great for other devices that you have running under your Microsoft ID including phones and other computers (or Xbox for that matter).
Dear Microsoft,
Please do not eliminate the charms. Yes, I believe they were poorly received on the desktop and in general, but they are a great way to access information in the same way across every single app. I understand the need to remove the charms bar for mouse/keyboard users, but perhaps you could simply re-implement them in a different area. I think you should keep it the same for tablet users.
In a future post I will give a little more detail as to how I would like to see charms uniformly implemented, but briefly it'll just say that it would be a great idea to have them in the jumplists on the taskbar.
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Charms [Concept]
Hello, here is something that I've been working on to combine some different features that people want (namely notifications) with the charms that Windows 8.1 already offers.
The charms already offer a quick way for people to get to information that they want to access in every app. For instance, the settings button is always available in the same exact space regardless of the app. This is a brilliant idea because it is very unified. Another example is the search charm. Here are a couple changes in the concept images that I have made that unify and improve a couple existing features while also adding new ones.
The charms already offer a quick way for people to get to information that they want to access in every app. For instance, the settings button is always available in the same exact space regardless of the app. This is a brilliant idea because it is very unified. Another example is the search charm. Here are a couple changes in the concept images that I have made that unify and improve a couple existing features while also adding new ones.
The New Charms bar:
I've kept the charms the exact same as before hand except I have changed the search charm to a Cortana icon (which will grow and shrink to indicate that she is listening) and I have also added the time and a new notifications charm.Notifications:
This new notifications are organized according to app type. Upon clicking on one of the apps (the mail for instance) you can tap an email and do different things with it without even opening an app.
Cortana: the command charm (search):
Probably the biggest addition to charms, Cortana will help you get through your day. All you need to do to get her attention is simply open the charms bar and speak her name.
As far a searching goes the new search results should yield the results from the app that you are currently in (not the search hero that yield anything and everything) and then yield search results from different sources (as below). I found that the search charm in the original Windows 8 was much more useful because I always knew where the search button was located.
Other opportunities for Cortana:
OneNote
Skype integration (for translation)
(By the way, what do you think of this Skype interface and logo?? I think it's much more metro than the current.)
Settings:
The settings charm will be upgraded only a little bit. Perhaps it could include this scrollable menu idea below which would make it easier for you to click around the different settings options. It's probably not as useful in the start screen, but it may be more useful in an app.
Time and Date:
The last new charm I think should be added is a simple time and date charm. Upon clicking it you get an enlarged display of the time as well as a calendar and connection/battery reading. I think that this would be much more useful and interactive compared to the floating time island in Win 8.1.
Share and Devices:
I love the idea of share and devices, but I cannot think of any upgrades to be made to them. Perhaps for the devices there could be a way to quickly save a document that you're working on to a flash drive that's currently plugged in. Any other ideas?
Charms for WP:
This is just a quick mock up that I made for charms on WP. The buttons appear to be a bit small in this design, but their use would still be there. Would there still be a need for the devices charm? Should it be changed to a "phone" charm or something like that?
Ultimately, I find the charms to be incredibly useful and a nice touch in Windows and I think that it should be extended across the whole Windows family. How useful do you guys find the charms? Are there any complaints that you have for them or any uses that people may not know about? What other ideas or complements do you have? Lastly, should legacy software be able to integrate into the charms? Please comment below.
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