Issue 4 24th March 2023

Welcome

Welcome to Nice UX Design: a celebration of the small details found in products that elevate them and make them greater than the sum of their parts.

Each issue features some examples of nice details from the digital and physical worlds, along with the occasional not-so-nice detail where things could have been improved.

To submit content for inclusion, message me on Mastodon @[email protected], Twitter @shauneba or email.

For more of my work, check out my iOS apps Personal Best and Taylor's Version.

Nice Details

Automatic effects in iMessage

In Apple's iMessage you can add effects like lasers and fireworks to your messages. But did you know that they're automatically added to your message if you type certain phrases? For example, sending 'Congratulations!' adds confetti, and 'Happy New Year' adds fireworks.

Check out Gadget Hacks for a full list of all the possible triggers.

Notifications in Overcast

Overcast is a podcast app for iOS. It has a lot of neat small details, and I really love how this microcopy subtly puts you off from turning on notification badges with some gentle humour. Sure, you could turn it on, but why add extra stress to your life?

Japanese manhole covers

Manhole covers in Japan often feature elaborate custom designs. They don't really serve a purpose, but they're a nice example of injecting some local flavour and whimsy while remaining subtle.