Bold Visual Design Lessons from Apple's Liquid Glass Innovation
Risk-taking in design is as dazzling (and dangerous) as designing a chandelier for a glasshouse. Apple’s newly unveiled “Liquid Glass” UI has all the shimmer you’ll want to ogle and all the substance that demands scrutiny. For UX/UI designers, the introduction of Liquid Glass at WWDC 2025 is not just a design update; it represents a significant shift in their approach to work. It’s a masterclass in balancing artistic risk with functional rigor.
But here’s the catch. Bold visual designs like this walk a fine line between stunning innovation and usability nightmares. One misstep, and what looks sleek becomes “beautifully broken.”
Are you, as a UX/UI designer or creative director, ready to decode strategies for mitigating aesthetic risks that are anchored in functionality? Grab your design notebook because this article unpackages five strategic lessons from Apple’s Liquid Glass that will help you push boundaries without falling off the edge.
Why Apple’s Liquid Glass is Turning Heads
Apple’s Liquid Glass UI is a shimmering spectacle. This design language is built on translucent, glass-like layers with visuals that dynamically adapt to content and context. Picture this: your interface gleams with natural reflections, morphs in real-time, and feels alive in its interaction. The goal? To signal innovation while delivering fluidity across Apple’s entire ecosystem, from iOS 26 to macOS Tahoe.
The gamble, however, lies in whether this aesthetic serves users or alienates them. Is this a leap forward in user-friendly design, or is it a step backward into skeuomorphic excess? Designers everywhere are grappling with questions like these, especially as technology like AI and spatial interfaces accelerates new visual possibilities.
Decoding a Bold Visual Design Strategy
Apple’s bold aesthetic choices didn’t materialize out of thin air. They were deliberate. They even sparked debate within the design world. Two contrasting analyses from industry thought leaders, Martin Tutko and Jaco Verdini, offer fresh insights into whether Apple has struck gold… or hit a usability iceberg. Here’s how their arguments guide the following lessons.
Martin Tutko recently published an article on Medium titled "Apple's New Liquid Glass UI — The Power of Perception, or How to Innovate When You Can't!", offering a compelling analysis of Apple's Liquid Glass UI. Rather than viewing it solely as a design decision, Tutko frames the redesign as a strategic business move. He argues that visual overhauls like this serve multiple corporate objectives: signaling innovation to reinforce competitive positioning, creating commercial value through the allure of perceived novelty, and fostering a sense of psychological freshness that can drive sales.
Tutko also discusses how Apple’s current AI development timeline may have influenced this design shift. By introducing visually striking changes, the company buys time to deliver on its AI ambitions while still offering users an immediate sense of progress. He particularly praises features like the fluid, adaptive wallpaper customization and AI-driven optimizations, which enhance the user experience by dynamically responding to context. Overall, Tutko’s analysis highlights how design and business strategy intersect in Apple’s approach to innovation.
Apple’s new material, Liquid Glass.
Jaco Verdini offers a thought-provoking analysis in his article, "Why Apple's 'Liquid Glass' Design Is a Step Backward for UX", published on Medium. Following Apple's WWDC25 presentation, Verdini delves into the user experience challenges posed by the new Liquid Glass design language.
In his breakdown, he highlights the technical features that define the aesthetic—hyper-realistic reflections, transparency layers, and dynamic lighting effects—all working together to create the striking, glass-like interface. However, Verdini critiques this shift by drawing comparisons to past design cycles. He reflects on the industry's journey from skeuomorphic design to flat, minimalist interfaces and now, to layered, translucent visuals.
A key focus of his argument is the tension between visual innovation and the need to uphold Apple's Human Interface Guidelines. He stresses the importance of prioritizing accessibility and readability to meet the diverse needs of users, warning that these fundamental principles must not be sacrificed in the pursuit of visual novelty. Verdini’s insights challenge us to think critically about striking a balance between aesthetic ambition and practical usability.
Drawing from these two articles, Apple’s official press release, and my adventures as a Design Director wrangling ideas with all sorts of clients, I’ve outlined five key moves UX/UI Designers and Design Directors can use to level up as strategic decision-makers. Think of these as your secret weapons for knowing when bold, eye-popping aesthetics can dazzle users and boost business, or when those same daring visuals might veer off the usability cliff. Because let’s face it, there’s a fine line between “wow” and “whoops.”
Evaluate the Context: Determine if your users and use cases can accommodate innovative visual designs without sacrificing essential functionality.
Test Iteratively: Explore bold visual concepts by prototyping and testing with real users. Gather feedback early to assess both user satisfaction and the impact on usability before full implementation.
Strategic Future-Proofing: Align aesthetic decisions with emerging technological trends, such as AI integration and spatial computing, to ensure long-term relevance and adaptability.
Track Dual Metrics: Monitor the boost in engagement driven by visual appeal while keeping an eye on any declines in usability. Make informed aesthetic decisions based on data.
Enhance Flexibility: Create systems that can adapt to varying visual intensities, suit different contexts, user preferences, and accessibility requirements.
Ready to take your designs from “meh” to mesmerizing? It’s all about mastering the fine art of calculated aesthetic risk-taking. Think of it like walking a tightrope—bold enough to dazzle but steady enough not to trip up the user or the bottom line. With a few clever strategies, you can create jaw-dropping visuals that not only look good but also work hard, enhancing experiences and delivering real results.