Commenters criticized the new macOS Tahoe app icons, labeling them as “terrible” and “objectively bad.” In a recent poll conducted by 9to5Mac, opinions among readers varied significantly regarding the icons' design. Nikita Prokopov, a software engineer, has highlighted how these icons in menus contradict Apple's own guidelines established in 1992.
Prokopov shared a visual from the original guidelines, which differentiated between an “ugly” menu filled with individual icons and a more effective design featuring minimal icons. He argues that while icon clarity has improved, the proliferation of icons in menus can hinder, rather than help, user experience. He believes that fewer icons, similar to Microsoft's earlier approach, would enhance functionality.
Additionally, Prokopov pointed out inconsistencies in Apple's iconography across different applications, noting that the same icon can represent different functions, such as the "New" function in various apps. His analysis includes numerous examples and suggestions for improvement, advocating for fewer icons and the use of color coding to enhance usability.