Cool software visual design

February 6, 2006 9:23 PM

I'm looking for examples of awesome-looking information displays. This can be anything from interesting OSs, "command center" control displays, and information software that is graphically impressive in its visual design. An information screen/program that makes you go "wow" on looks alone, whether public or proprietary. Any screenshots? I hope I'm describing this right.
posted by zek to computers & internet (13 comments total)

Like this?
posted by jeb at 9:33 PM on February 6, 2006

No, not on the web or in print -- an actual computer display (hardware, software, proprietaryware).
posted by zek at 9:41 PM on February 6, 2006

Gauge cluster in the Honda S2000.
posted by knave at 10:21 PM on February 6, 2006

Like this?

I would also recommend the information displays for several strategy-heavy video games.
posted by frogan at 10:49 PM on February 6, 2006

You might want to spend some time reading through the entries on the http://infosthetics.com/ blog.
posted by blindcarboncopy at 11:05 PM on February 6, 2006

Some places to look:

http://www.visualcomplexity.com
http://www.media.mit.edu/research/
http://cat.nyu.edu/
http://frogdesign.com/
posted by ryoshu at 12:22 AM on February 7, 2006

Sounds like you're looking for interface eye candy, rather than clever or graphics-rich information design.

If that's the case, I'd check out what the Photoshop-masters churn out when given the opportunity to "skin" programs like WinAmp.

You could also look up some of the old Kai's Power Tool screenshots or even just some random interface designs via Google.
posted by robbie01 at 12:38 AM on February 7, 2006

(I should note that while slick, Photoshop-based GUIs have a higher "wow" factor than, say, Windows XP, they are generally exceedingly poor examples of functional, usable or even user-friendly designs, though the Kai's Power software suite at least tried to introduce some different interface paradigms that were "outside the box" in the name of creative expression.)
posted by robbie01 at 12:42 AM on February 7, 2006

Google for "shell replacements". Litestep for instance.
posted by raaka at 3:00 AM on February 7, 2006

I've been most impressed by the sheer usefulness of SpaceMonger.
posted by flabdablet at 4:47 AM on February 7, 2006

The TiVo interface is pretty sweet.
posted by killdevil at 5:28 AM on February 7, 2006

Try Edward Tufte's site.
posted by johnwilcox at 7:01 AM on February 7, 2006

This is probably not what you're looking for as it's not actually useable, but there's the Star Trek screen thing as a screensaver. Colorful eye candy.
posted by blueberry at 2:26 PM on February 7, 2006