C H A P T E R 5

Icons

deleting. Thinking of an object that is representative of the function of your icon is the key to good conceptual design. Remember that for every image you generate, you need to consider the advantages and disadvantages of the idea in regard to your audience before deciding on the final design.

Make Shapely Icons

People are good at recognizing patterns and shapes, so make the shape of an icon distinctive. Rectangular, slab-like icons all look the same, particularly without colors or shades of gray to create a pattern on them. Once users have seen a distinctively shaped icon and learned what it represents, they are likely to recognize it again and quickly recall its meaning. Figure 5-1 compares distinctively shaped icons with rectangular icons.

Figure 5-1Distinctive icon shapes are easier to recognize than rectangular icons

Make icon shapes

Avoid rectangular icon

unusual

shapes

Design for the Newton Display

A distinctive icon shape without any detail is just a shapely shadow. When adding detail to make an icon more interesting, keep in mind the capabilities, limitations, and conventions of the Newton display. To make your icons look like they belong on a Newton, use lines that are two pixels thick. An icon drawn with single-pixel lines looks like it belongs on a desktop computer. What’s more, the thicker lines are easier to see in low light. Three-dimensional effects in icons are difficult to achieve on a Newton because they require shading and many angled lines. Those effects are difficult to render on screens

Designing Effective Icons

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Apple 2 manual Make Shapely Icons, Design for the Newton Display

2 specifications

The Apple II is a defining product in the history of personal computing, first introduced in 1977 by Apple Computer, Inc. Designed by Steve Wozniak, the Apple II was one of the first highly successful mass-produced microcomputer products and played a significant role in bringing personal computers into homes and schools.

One of the Apple II's standout features was its color graphics capability. It was one of the first personal computers to provide color output, thanks to its built-in video interface. The initial model supported a resolution of 280x192 pixels with a palette of 6 colors, which allowed for vibrant visuals that set it apart from contemporaries like the monochrome Altair 8800.

The Apple II was notable for its open architecture. This design allowed users to expand the computer's capabilities easily through a series of expansion slots. Users could add floppy disk drives, additional memory, and various peripheral devices, making the system highly adaptable to individual needs. This encouraged a thriving ecosystem of third-party hardware and software, which contributed to its popularity.

Another significant feature was its use of the 6502 microprocessor. This 8-bit CPU was not only affordable but also powerful for its time, allowing the Apple II to run various applications efficiently. Along with a built-in keyboard and an innovative plastic case that housed its components, the design was user-friendly and appealing.

The Apple II also introduced the concept of “bootable software” through the use of floppy disks. The disk operating system (DOS) allowed users to store and run multiple programs without having to reload software manually, providing a level of convenience that had not been widely available before. Key software like VisiCalc, the first spreadsheet program, helped boost sales, showcasing the Apple II's utility in business and education environments.

The computer was also well-known for its early adoption of BASIC programming language. Apple provided an operating system that supported Applesoft BASIC, which enabled users, including students, to write their programs, further fostering a community of developers.

In summary, the Apple II's color graphics, open architecture, powerful 6502 processor, innovative use of floppy disks, and support for BASIC programming made it a revolutionary product in its time. Its legacy laid the groundwork for future personal computers and established Apple as a leader in the burgeoning tech industry. The Apple II remains an iconic symbol of the early personal computing era, reflecting a generation's transition into a digitally connected world.