But is it simply trading actual concrete functionality and usability in exchange...

iamcalledrob · 2026-01-18T13:47:47 1768744067

I'd argue it's trading legibility for aesthetics.

My personal take is that aesthetics play an important function, but legibility is more important. Good design will achieve both.

reactordev · 2026-01-18T14:38:27 1768747107

A great example of the pains it takes to achieve both:

Road sign design had to achieve both and more and yet they still managed to pull it off.

rpdillon · 2026-01-18T14:27:44 1768746464

Yep, quite literally form-over-function.