If you put Apple icons in reverse it looks like someone getting good at design

Utility vs “Soul” in Icons

• Some prefer “boring but scannable” icons that get out of the way; others miss expressive, crafted icons that give interfaces character.
• A recurring tension: pure utility vs personality. Several people feel modern UIs have utility everywhere but very little “soul,” while others say they don’t care about soul at all if the UI works.

Recognizability and Meaning

• Many commenters couldn’t tell the latest Pages icon represents a word processor; it reads as a drawing app, stylus test, or even a bandaid/torch.
• The inkwell/quill is criticized as dated or obscure for younger users, but it at least signals “writing” to many.
• Consensus that the middle-era icons (pen on lined paper, sometimes with the word “Pages”) best balance clarity, document metaphor, and distinct color/shape.
• Comparisons: older Microsoft Office and LibreOffice icons, which used grids, slides, and letters plus strong colors, are seen as more self-evident.

Minimalism, Uniform Containers, and Distinctiveness

• Uniform squircles and homogenized color schemes (Apple, Google) make icons harder to distinguish, especially in crowded docks/launchers.
• Some note confusion between similar icons (e.g., Messages vs FaceTime; Slack vs Photos; Google apps) and say they now rely mainly on color—until theming removes that too.
• Designers in the thread describe the trade-off: visual harmony of a set vs ease of differentiation; several argue current trends over-index on harmony.

Skeuomorphism vs Flat Design

• Skeuomorphism fans argue detailed, object-like icons test better in HCI studies and are uniquely memorable; flat/abstract designs are seen as cheaper, trend-driven, and less usable.
• Others respond that over-detailed or hyper-real skeuomorphism (e.g., old Apple “felt” and “glass”) was also bad, and that moderate flatness helps interfaces recede so content stands out.
• Many place the “sweet spot” in the middle of the timeline: illustrative but not fussy, metaphorical but not cryptic.

Icon Churn, Learning, and User Control

• Frequent icon redesigns impose relearning costs; some want the ability to “freeze” their UI or choose from historical icon sets/themes.
• macOS technically allows per-app icon overrides, but they tend to be reset by updates and aren’t scriptable, so the practical control is limited.

Accessibility and Legibility

• Several comments highlight problems for visually impaired, elderly, or neurodivergent users: low contrast, tiny differences in shape, and glassy backgrounds reduce legibility.
• Good icons are described as: unique → distinguishable at a glance → only then “on-brand” or trendy. Many feel Apple’s recent work inverts that priority.