A computer screen is like a perfectly precise lightbox.
Gradients are tacky in print because they were expensive to execute on paper. ("Tacky" here used to mean counter to the Modernist dogma of purity, precision, truth, and generally "going with the grain" of a medium that dominated a large part of the late 20th century. YMMV.)
On a screen, gradients are not only beautiful, but useful in creating the perky faux-physics that have come to dominate almost all of consumer UI design. Part of this may be rooted in the measurable "effectiveness" of illusionistic UIs, but I have the sense that it's also about wanting desktop computers to be a cute little robots.
"On a screen, gradients are not only beautiful, but useful in creating the perky faux-physics that have come to dominate almost all of consumer UI design."
Gradients are occasionally beautiful, when subtle, but the sooner the whole "perky faux-physics" dies (especially the tiresome "everything has a glass bubble" look) the better.
Gradients are tacky in print because they were expensive to execute on paper. ("Tacky" here used to mean counter to the Modernist dogma of purity, precision, truth, and generally "going with the grain" of a medium that dominated a large part of the late 20th century. YMMV.)
On a screen, gradients are not only beautiful, but useful in creating the perky faux-physics that have come to dominate almost all of consumer UI design. Part of this may be rooted in the measurable "effectiveness" of illusionistic UIs, but I have the sense that it's also about wanting desktop computers to be a cute little robots.
Also: grade.tumblr.com