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Arwes – Futuristic Sci-Fi / Cyberpunk Graphical User Interface Framework

arwes.dev

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Re: Arwes – Futuristic Sci-Fi / Cyberpunk Graphical User Interface Framework

#231
post #227

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’m not particularly interested in whether Tesla is more or less convenient than whatever Mercedes is up to, what matters to me is that is is undeniably less convenient than the standard lever toggle that has been around since as long as I remember. In my 2004 4Runner I can go to any wiper configuration without taking my eyes off the road (or even thinking about it at all), I can do the same for head lights, radio, c…

I'm not an absolutist about physical controls vs. touchscreens. Of your examples, A/C and traction control are automatic enough that I don't fiddle with them during driving and the touchscreen works great. As for transmission, the Model 3 doesn't have one. Radio, headlights (brights), and cruise control have physical controls that work just fine. The wiper controls are really my only complaint. It wouldn't even requi…

> The wiper controls are really my only complaint.

Back to my original point: the wiper control is arguably (see above) the single most important important manually operated safety feature in a car (besides maybe the breaks). For them to have such poor design speaks to Elon’s ability to put function over form.

Re: Arwes – Futuristic Sci-Fi / Cyberpunk Graphical User Interface Framework

#232

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Strongly agreed. Which is why I was glad to see LCARS returning in Lower Decks , and the series is experimenting with tweaking the design a little to include some lessons in UI design learned over the past decades. Despite being animated comedy, I like it better than post-Enterprise installments, because it brings back the design language of TNG/DS9/VOY/ENT era.

That sounds really interesting! Could you share some examples?

It's various minor things. Like PADDs being proper LCARS tablets with a bit more space for content, smaller bevel[0] and even portrait mode[1]. Or the experiments with circular (radial) elements on display, which arguably are now decorative, but still they fit in, so are a good starting point for further exploration.

Or, and I can't find a screenshot of it now, that one tiny joke that made me almost spit out my tea. A scene on the bridge, the captain talking to someone over the viewscreen; she makes a gesture to cut off audio, the tactical officer presses a button on his console, and a small icon of a crossed out speaker appears on said console. Immediately recognizable even for non-StarTrek audience, and still they made it fit the style.

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[0] - https://www.yourprops.com/PADD-replica-movie-prop-Star-Trek-...

[1] - https://www.yourprops.com/Medical-PADD-replica-movie-prop-St..., though there was precedent in DS9, AFAIR.

Re: Arwes – Futuristic Sci-Fi / Cyberpunk Graphical User Interface Framework

#233
post #226

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That button is the opposite of convenient. It only makes the wipers wipe once. There's no way to start/stop or change interval with it. Probably the worst design flaw of the car. It wouldn't be a problem if the auto wipers worked, but Elon doesn't think they need a dedicated rain sensor because he believes neural nets can solve any problem just by looking at the autopilot cameras. So they don't work. (I should note t…

Do you really think that changing wiper mode on Mercedes is much better than "touch screen"? It also awful to use and really hard to locate without looking at. I own both vehicles and they are about the same. In emergency situation you can pres button as long as you want, a little bit weird but in reality very useful. Also pressing this button will open wiper settings and you can blindly pick a different mode. Not li…

I drive an '03 Mercedes and I can tell you that the wipers are absolutely intuitive -- just like almost every other car I've driven, from back before the automotive design industry collectively lost their minds. Touch screens have never belonged in a car, and they still don't.

Re: Arwes – Futuristic Sci-Fi / Cyberpunk Graphical User Interface Framework

#234

Based on the positive responses here, I think I might be the only one who doesn't fancy decorations, whether it's sci-fi or in any form in user interface design - victorian ornamentation, steampunk brass, vaporware aesthetics, etc - they're all artistic endeavors - I think it's fun to explore these and even use them to achieve a particular objective, but I wonder how much of it influences serious designers whose resp…

You are not alone. This framework is a kind of neat idea if your top three priorities are all "man this looks cool". If you actually want to make anything usable, look elsewhere.

ETA: also, a web page should make sounds in exactly one situation, which is when I click the "play" button on a music track or a video.

ETA: also also, I clicked through to the author's personal blog, build with the framework, and scrolling thunks to a halt every time I go down to a new item, I guess while it's being dynamically loaded then animating into view. Barf.

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