Google Stitch Taps Into Apple's Controversial Liquid Glass Design to Create a Habits App: Is It a Win for AI?

I am not a UI/UX designer, but I have been intrigued by the rapidly evolving capabilities of AI design tools. One such tool, Google Stitch, particularly caught my attention. My recent experience with it showed just how proficient AI has become in creating user interfaces. Last week, Apple introduced its new design system, Apple Liquid Glass, which has been met with mixed, and often critical, reactions. Despite the skepticism, I decided to put Google Stitch to the test by asking it to design a habits app using this controversial new aesthetic. Before we dive into the results, let's acknowledge that I am stepping outside my area of expertise. However, the outcome of this experiment might shed light on whether AI can navigate or even improve upon a contentious design language. Apple’s Liquid Glass design is characterized by its fluid, translucent, and reflective elements, which aim to give a modern and elegant feel. Critics argue that it lacks consistency and clarity, making it difficult to implement effectively. Nevertheless, I wanted to see if Google Stitch could turn these challenges into opportunities. Here’s what I did: Set the Parameters: I provided Google Stitch with the essentials of a habits app, including features like setting goals, tracking progress, and displaying statistics. Incorporate Liquid Glass: I instructed the tool to adhere strictly to Apple’s Liquid Glass guidelines, emphasizing transparency, motion, and depth. Review the Output: I examined the generated design to assess its usability, aesthetics, and adherence to the principles of Liquid Glass. The result was both surprising and enlightening. The AI-created habits app managed to capture the essence of Liquid Glass while maintaining a level of usability that surprised me. Key features included: Translucent Interfaces: The app’s backgrounds and buttons had a subtle, almost ethereal, transparency that added a layer of depth to the visuals. Dynamic Animations: Smooth transitions and animations brought a sense of fluidity to the user experience, enhancing the overall interaction. Reflective Elements: Highlights and shadows mimicked real-world reflections, giving the app a polished look. However, there were also areas where the design could be refined: Text Clarity: Some text labels were too light against the translucent backgrounds, making them hard to read. Button Visibility: Certain buttons blended too much with the background, reducing their visibility and usability. Consistency Issues: While the overall design was impressive, some elements seemed disconnected, lacking the cohesive feel that is crucial for a seamless user experience. Despite these minor flaws, the app's design was far from a disaster. It demonstrated that AI can indeed interpret and apply complex design systems, even those that are not universally well-received. Reflections on the Experiment My experiment with Google Stitch highlights several important points about the state of AI in design: Adaptability: AI can adapt to different design languages and produce visually appealing results. This is particularly noteworthy given the criticism Level Glass has received. Usability Constraints: While AI can create beautiful designs, human designers have a better grasp of usability issues. This suggests a complementary relationship between AI and human design expertise. Future Potential: As AI continues to evolve, it may soon be able to address the finer nuances of design, such as text legibility and button visibility. Overall, I believe this experiment is a win for AI in design. It shows that technology can help democratize access to advanced design tools and potentially bridge gaps between complex aesthetics and practical usability. For those interested in the broader implications of this intersection between AI and design, stay tuned for more insights and experiments. For now, it’s clear that the combination of AI and human creativity holds great promise for the future of user interface design.