Apple’s Human Interface Design Progression: Liquid Glass and iOS 27
In December, Apple appointed Steve Lemay as the new Vice President of Human Interface Design, following Alan Dye’s exit to join Meta. This change ignited conversation regarding the future of Apple’s Liquid Glass design language, a hallmark of its user interface.
Recent information from Mark Gurman’s Power On newsletter suggests that Apple is not intending to forsake the Liquid Glass design. Rather, the company is considering the introduction of a system-wide slider that would enable users to modify the intensity of the Liquid Glass effect. This capability was first envisioned during the development of iOS 26 but encountered engineering hurdles that stalled its widespread implementation.
The slider was partially delivered on the lock screen clock, yet extending it to app folders, the home screen, and navigation bars proved challenging. Nevertheless, with iOS 27 approaching, Apple seems hopeful about surmounting these obstacles and making the slider a universal feature.
If accomplished, this could drastically transform the user experience in relation to Liquid Glass, fostering increased customization and possibly addressing user feedback. Gurman highlights Lemay’s strong support for Liquid Glass, indicating a continuity in its evolution.
Even with the potential for a system-wide slider, some experts, including contributors from 9to5Mac, are skeptical about its deployment. They contend that while enhancements to the interface are required, a slider could complicate the user experience and result in inconsistent UI components.
As Apple continues to refine its design strategy, the dialogue surrounding Liquid Glass and user customization remains lively, with iOS 27 set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Apple’s interface design.