But the HIG is dead. It died long ago. And it was Apple that killed it. In Mac OS 9 (and prior), no one’s apps were more uniformly consistent to the HIG standards than Apple’s own. In Mac OS X, Apple began experimenting — especially in their flagship apps. Whether this change has been for better or for worse is certainly debatable, but there can be no debate that the mores of Mac UI designers have changed. Apple sets the tone, for better or for worse. Always has, always will.
He’s right. Just look at this screenshot by Shawn Blanc to see how even the little (and previously holy) things have changed.
Interestingly, the launch of the Mac App Store shows that third-party developers are more willing than ever to step outside the chalk outline on the pavement where the HIG used to be.
That said, not all third-party developers are good designers. Some should stay within the bounds of the HIG. That tumblelog I linked to yesterday is proof that while the HIG may be dead, it shouldn’t be forgotten by all quite yet.