Earlier this month, Instagram got a dramatic new redesign. Even the app’s nostalgic instant camera icon was transformed into a flat, minimalistic logo. But Instagram’s die-hard fans were not pleased, saying that the redesign was “overthought” and “oversimplified.” That it looked like it was designed by first semester graphic design students. Or even by school kids using the gradient tool in Photoshop. A meme was born:
In this week’s episode of The iPhone Show, we explore why we have such strong negative reactions whenever our favorite apps go through a redesign. Instagram, Uber, and Airbnb have all been widely criticized for giving their app icons a makeover, but it turns out that our hate has little to do with how the app was actually redesigned.
On average, we check our iPhones 46 times a day, so it’s no surprise that the apps on our homescreen have become an integral part of our lives, and we now associate them with our personal identity. Whenever those apps change, we instantly freak out because we feel out of control.
But with enough time and usage, our brains will adapt to the new look, and it will start to feel familiar again. Until Instagram decides to redesign once more, and the cycle starts again.
Not that I’m a fan of the new Instagram logo but has anyone ever liked a redesign? The cycle of redesign is: hate it/complain/adapt/love it.
— Polly Mosendz (@polly) May 11, 2016
Do you think you will ever get used to the new Instagram app icon? Let us know in the comments.
Author: Oscar Raymundo, Staff Writer
Oscar writes about iOS, mobile culture and digital music. He also hosts 'The iPhone Show' from Macworld's San Francisco HQ.