Author: Elias Voss - Page 5
In-App Navigation on iPad: When to Use Sidebars vs. Tab Bars
Learn when to use sidebars versus tab bars on iPad with iPadOS 18's adaptive navigation system. Discover Apple's best practices, real app examples, and how morphing navigation improves user experience.
iPad Typography Choices: SF Pro Display and Text Pairings for Legibility
Learn how SF Pro Display and SF Pro Text work together on iPad to maximize legibility. Discover when to use each variant, how variable fonts improve readability, and why Apple's typography choices matter for users.
Designing App Icons for Apple Ecosystem: Layered Depth and Brand Consistency
Learn how to design Apple app icons that work across iPhone, Mac, and Watch with Liquid Glass effects, brand consistency, and strict technical rules. Avoid common mistakes and build icons users recognize instantly.
How Robert Brunner Shaped Apple’s 1990s Design Legacy
Robert Brunner rebuilt Apple’s design team in the 1990s, hired Jonathan Ive, and led the creation of the PowerBook - shaping Apple’s design DNA before Jobs returned. Kazuo Kawasaki had no role in Apple’s design during this time.
Building Design Systems for Apple Products: Tokens, Components, and Governance
Apple's design consistency across devices comes from a hidden system of tokens, components, and strict governance. Learn how design tokens power their UI, why semantic naming matters, and how to build your own scalable system.
Ecosystem Branding: How Apple Uses Visual Signals to Connect Its Products
Apple connects its products through invisible visual signals-logo, color, typography, and Liquid Glass UI-that create a seamless, consistent experience across devices. This ecosystem branding builds loyalty by making every interaction feel familiar and unified.
How iPhone Accessibility Features Shape Core Interaction Patterns
iPhone accessibility features like VoiceOver, AssistiveTouch, and Switch Control aren't just for users with disabilities - they redefine how everyone interacts with touchscreens. These tools shape core iOS patterns that benefit all users.
Designing Widgets for Apple Platforms: At-a-Glance Value and System Harmony
Apple widgets deliver essential information at a glance while blending seamlessly into the system. Learn how at-a-glance design and system harmony shape modern iOS, iPadOS, and macOS interfaces-with practical rules for developers and users.
Reduced Motion on Apple: How Apple Preserves Meaning While Reducing Disabling Animations
Apple's Reduced Motion setting helps users with motion sensitivity by simplifying animations across devices. It preserves useful transitions while removing distracting or harmful motion, making tech more usable for everyone.
Typography Hierarchy in Apple Apps: Sizes, Leading, and Contrast Strategies
Apple's typography hierarchy uses San Francisco font, Dynamic Type, and precise sizing to guide users through apps. Learn how size, leading, weight, and contrast work together to create clear, accessible interfaces.
Packaging as Retention: How Apple’s Unboxing Experience Keeps Customers Coming Back
Apple’s packaging isn’t just a box-it’s a carefully crafted experience that turns unboxing into a memorable ritual. With 87% of users keeping their boxes, it’s clear this design strategy drives lasting loyalty and emotional connection.
Design Milestones at Apple: A Timeline from 1977 to the Modern Ecosystem
From the rainbow Apple II logo to the seamless iPhone ecosystem, Apple’s design evolution redefined technology. This timeline traces how simplicity, integration, and bold choices turned Apple into a design powerhouse.
