Copy this Floppy
It’s no kind of solution to reinvent things that work. In other words, design less—because the alternative would be bad design.
Paul and I have discussed releasing a DLB icon pack in the near future, so I’ve been thinking a lot about icons lately. It’s interesting to consider the conventions of icon design, which, in some cases, haven’t changed much in 25 years (at least). In particular, I’ve pondered over the icon for “save” which, in most cases, is represented by a 3.5” floppy disk (most prominently, in Microsoft Office).
When you first think about it, it seems to violate the UI metaphor principle. I mean, the save-floppy represents something that barely anyone uses today. Children born ten years ago have probably never handled a floppy disk. Not to mention all those born later and yet to be born. It may as well be a picture of an 8-track tape.
Tagged with: Design, DLB Icon Pack, Floppy Disk, Icons, Keydrives, Less is Better, Matt Groening, Metaphors, Microsoft Office, Simplicity, UI.
