I really like these newer user interfaces that use a dark gray/black color palette. The first time I saw it was in the early releases of the Microsoft Expression products. Then, I saw the UI of the Adobe CS products shift to a darker palette. And following that, Corel's graphics program shifted to a black/gray interface.
I like the dark UI because it allows the thing you're actually working on to stand out more. The UI itself competes less for the user's attention. The items you want are available and visible...but they're understated...less screaming, "Look at me. Look. At. Me." than products with more colorful palettes.
Question: Anyone know of a UI that uses a dark palette that's not a graphics program?
Below: zBrush
Below: 
Adobe Bridge
Adobe BridgeBelow: CoolIris
Below: Paint Shop Pro X2
Below: Microsoft Expression Design 2
Good stuff.
ReplyDeleteI have seen (rather customized for self) the 'skin' for winamp player. This is in line with what you have posted here - dark UI. The skin is aptly names as "Relax"
Check cPro Relax skin at - (http://www.winamp.com/skins/details/221762)
I think a lot of image- and video-based consumption websites (like Hulu.com) are starting to use dark UIs. This lets the content 'pop-out' from the background.
ReplyDeleteDigeo's Moxi (a competitor of TiVo) also uses this kind of interface: http://www.digeo.com/tech.aspx