GUI: don’t change what isn’t broken

In 1981, Xerox introduced the 8010 “Star” Information System. Star’s introduction was an important event in the history of personal computing because it changed how interactive systems should be designed from now on. Today, windows, mice, and icons are the norm, but Star’s bitmapped screen, mouse-driven interface, and icons were unique at that time. The intended users are people who wanted to finish their work and not at all interested in computers, so the goal was to make the interface as easy to learn as possible. The complexity of a “computer” is hidden so users could focus on their work, oblivious of concepts like software, operating systems, applications, and programs. Comparing to the first graphical user interface, many modern UI elements still remain relatively the same.  If we dissect this into layers following Brand Stewart’s structure, I would say this is an example of how the infrastructure changes slower than the commerce layer.

“One of the stresses of our time is the way commerce is being accelerated by global markets and the digital and network revolutions. The proper role of commerce is to both exploit and absorb those shocks, passing some of the velocity and wealth on to the development of new infrastructure, but respecting the deeper rhythms of governance and culture.” In this time of technology revolution, it seems we have heavily exploited the commerce layer. However, it’s hard to archive the respected balance of governance and culture at this speed.

Designers today focus on developing the visual aspects, for example, Apple updates its products every year with different looks and systems. While it’s easy to say the visual elements like screen or appearance were invested in the UI elements didn’t receive the same amount of change. Since people are reluctant to change, I expect this UI infrastructure will remain unchanged, but the technologies will. We may see AR, VR, and even hologram using the same design language of the first graphical user interface in near future.