Zen and the art of personal computer desktops.

posted in: design | 0

Title: Beyond the Surface: 15 Years of Desktop Aesthetics
Context: Don’t judge a man by his computer desktop…On second thought, maybe you should…
Synopsis: Look at your computer desktop. No. Really look at it. Does it still have the OEM factory default desktop? Probably not. As a matter of fact one of the first things most people do when they unbox a new computer is personalize the desktop. Favorite cartoon character. Personal snapshot. Quirky artwork. It becomes a statement of who we are – and who we wish to be – for the world of passers-by and over-the-shoulder snoops. But the historical taxonomy of desktop as art gallery does not end with the custom desktop image. On the contrary, the timelessness of desktop aesthetics is even more defined by the corporate iconography which sits atop our personal pageantry. It is the mix of public and private space where we live, work and play. So begone system-included, non-offensive pictures of falling leaves and post-futuristic, Gaussian-blurred swooshes! Express yourself and embrace the desktop.
Best Bit: “Clunky and outdated window, button, and menu graphics have all been refined – smoothed, over a long period of time, like river stones.”

via rhizome.org

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