Everyone wants radical innovation, but the truth is,
most radical innovations fail, and even when they do succeed,
it can take multiple decades before they are accepted.
Radical innovation, therefore, is relatively rare: incremental innovation is common. -- Don Norman 1
Windows 8 Menus
Microsoft overhauled the design of the menuing system in Windows 8. This was one of the most radical changes in Windows UI design history. Windows 8 was designed for touch screens, but also as a universal interface that would provide a common experience regardless of platform (phone, tablet, laptop, desktop).
Should users be exposed to drastic changes? Or should change be incremental? The Norman Nielsen Group weighs in.
In his master's thesis, Nikolas Jansen performs a critical evaluation of the usability of Windows 8.
Also, you can see a brief clip on some South African usability experiments below.Usable? Or not?
Don Norman's partner in the Norman Nielson Group, Jakob Nielson, was highly critical of Windows 8, firing a usability shot that was heard around the world. Some immediately disagreed, including commentator Jay Greene and several bloggers, such as this individual from design company RIAGENIC.
How did Microsoft feel? Microsoft designer Jensen Harris disagreed as noted in this technology brief. Jensen's thoughts were presented at an hour long UX Week Conference Proceeding .
But then, soon after the release of Windows 8, Microsoft released Windows 8.1 with a usability upgrade. And Microsoft has been reexamining their use of menus extensively in Windows 10.