Microsoft originally developed a design language for Windows 8 that eventually evolved into what is known as MDL2, or Microsoft Design Language 2, used for Windows 10. We now have word that Microsoft is now working on a much more streamlined design language codenamed Project NEON. The current design language was called Metro because it represented a modern approach to content and typography design.
Metro was an iconic language because it brought it the flat look that even inspired iOS and Android’s current look. The new design language is being called Metro 2, and is expected to be a lot more fluid that the current near-static characteristics that MDL2 represents.
Microsoft has reportedly been working in this for the last one year, and project NEON essentially builds on what Microsoft uses on Windows 10.
Although there’s not much public information right now about the exact changes to the design language, we do know that it includes a lot more transitions and animations. In addition, app-elements will be able to “escape” the confines of the window, and that promises to bring in a whole new level of user experience. We also know that NEON will act as a bridge between the desktop environment and augmented reality as well as holographic environments. In short, it’s a cross-device UI that maps to the physical world with the UX using textures, lighting, 3D models and so on.
The Paint 3D app currently in preview mode for Windows 10 Insiders uses some of the elements that are being developed as part of NEON. All signs point to the fact that this is going to bring some very dramatic UI changes when Microsoft rolls out its Windows 10 Creators Update in early 2017.
To assuage the worries of developers that design apps with MDL2 in mind, Microsoft is introducing evolutionary changes with NEON rather than creating a new design language altogether. For example, MDL2 iconography can still be used, but developers now have the freedom to add elements from the new design language to their apps.
We’ll report in depth about new developments on Project NEON as more information becomes available. For now, suffice it to know that the Windows 10 Creators Update is going to have some very new, fluid and dynamic features that fit well with Microsoft’s plans to bring 3D and augmented reality to the Windows 10 experience in a big way.
Thanks for reading our work! Please bookmark 1redDrop.com to keep tabs on the hottest, most happening tech and business news from around the world. On Apple News, please favorite the 1redDrop channel to get us in your news feed.
