Bold shift in Apple’s UI language has designers buzzing—and not all in agreement.
Apple’s Liquid Glass design language has stirred up one of the most debated movements in UI design in recent years, arguably the most influential since iOS 7 moved away from skeuomorphism to flat design in 2013.
This new approach has reshaped iconography across Apple’s ecosystem, from macOS to iOS. While the larger debates around accessibility and aesthetics dominate most conversations, a single icon has become a flashpoint for many graphic designers.
Is anyone else dissatisfied with Font Book’s icon redesign? Font Book, macOS’s built-in font manager, now features a drastically simplified icon. The old design displayed multiple typefaces forming the letter “A,” replaced by a solitary clean sans-serif character.
Critics argue this reduces clarity about the app’s purpose. A Reddit commenter notes, “I get the modern take, but this is disappointing—I'd prefer an ‘Aa’ indicator instead of just ‘a.’” Another adds, “hmmm yeah this is upsetting.”
On the other hand, not everyone hates the cleaner look. A user writes, “Even though the old icon communicated the app’s purpose more clearly, I find the new design prettier. They’re good in different ways.”
From this vantage, the streamlined icon isn’t necessarily a downgrade. It aligns with the broader Liquid Glass ethos, yet it underscores a familiar tension: Apple design flourishes when it’s playful and colorful, and some see this move as a subtle retreat from the vibrant Apple of the early 2000s.
What’s your take on the Font Book icon—and on Apple’s broader shift toward minimal, glassy aesthetics? Do you value immediate function and recognizability in app icons, or do you prefer the sleek, modern look that highlights subtlety and polish? Share your thoughts and join the ongoing discussion.
About the author: Daniel John serves as Design Editor at Creative Bloq, covering design, branding, and lifestyle tech. He’s reported from Milan Design Week, OFFF Barcelona, and Adobe Max, interviewing leaders at brands like Apple, Microsoft, and Adobe. His debut collection of short stories and poems was published in 2018, and his comedy newsletter has become a Substack bestseller.
