Early GUIs were plain and blocky due to hardware limitations, but interfaces are today are richer with high-resolution graphics and customizable themes. Initially designed for simple tasks like word processing, modern interfaces now accommodate more complex workflows with features like drag-and-drop.
Early GUI’s did not account for disabilities or the restrictions they imposed on the user. Today there are user accessibility requirements in place to ensure products are inclusive, with features that translate text to speech and allow for customized display and text size settings. With the implementation of touchscreen technologies, users are no longer restricted to using the mouse and can now gesture with their fingerer by swiping and tapping the display.
The fundamental structure of desktops and applications (windows, icons, menus, and pointers) has stood the test of time and is still used for navigation and interaction today. GUI’s could be improved if the systems could anticipate user needs and suggest relevant actions, guiding them to files or content based on the context and behavior (If I save an image to a folder, and I open my finder, it could point me to the folder with the latest download.) Another improvement could be made through voice activated AI tools allowing users to simply say, for example, “Change file type from PNG to PDF”. It could help people troubleshoot unexpected technical difficulties that often arise in stress-induced moments when they’re the most vulnerable to frustration. It would assist users who are not familiar with certain functionalities to complete tasks, and would lower the learning curve for technology use.