What is the Apple aesthetic?

March 18, 2008 8:34 PM

What is the name of the design language used for Apple products circa 2000? Jonathan Ive designed the iSub, the Cube, the Apple Displays, etc; all of them share a lot of plexiglas surrounding light-colored plastic (if there is any color). This "look" is cohesive enough to be called a design language, but what specifically is the clear-and-maybe-white motif named? More importantly, where else can it be found?
posted by Monochrome to media & arts (16 comments total)

I have an answer for your second question: the Nintendo DS Lite.
posted by danb at 9:00 PM on March 18

"Double-shot plastic moulding" is the basic term for the technique, though I don't know if there's a phrase for it past that.
posted by Mikey-San at 9:18 PM on March 18

The DS Lite is not exactly what I'm looking for, because it has no glass, lucite, or clear materials. Just like the opaque eMac, it's different enough to be in a separate category. I'm also not talking about the iMac nor the clamshell iBooks; they're translucent colors, while I seek a fully transparent shell around graphite or snow or whatever.
posted by Monochrome at 9:28 PM on March 18

Hmm. There are actually only two or at most three examples of the fully transparent shell around grey/white: the Cube, the early Cinema Displays, possibly the G4 towers. (Ive didn't design the iSub, it's not an Apple product).
posted by bonaldi at 9:32 PM on March 18

Some more examples of what I'm talking about are:
The Apple Pro Mouse, SoundSticks II, this iPod case sort of fits the bill...
posted by Monochrome at 9:55 PM on March 18

I don't think it has a name, and frankly I think the aspect you're interested in (a transparent layer over a white, matte silver, or grayish-blue one) is too narrow to be called a "design language" or even an "aesthetic". It's a component of the Apple aesthetic at that period, for sure, but not the only one, or even the dominant one.
posted by jjg at 11:04 PM on March 18

Aero? (c) Microsoft? :)
posted by blue_wardrobe at 5:05 AM on March 19

This article makes a compelling case for Jonathan Ives' inspiration coming from Dieter Rams, an industrial designer for Braun in the mid 60's.
posted by mattholomew at 5:57 AM on March 19

The zune has the outer frosted, inner colored look, but its not *exactly* the same as the old Apple gear you are describing
posted by mphuie at 9:58 AM on March 19

I've heard the style referred to as "blobjects" in the broadest sense, but that's really referring to shapes, not finish.
posted by Bora Horza Gobuchul at 10:04 AM on March 19

Actually, the DS Lite has a clear shell over white plastic, just like the original iPod and the recently-replaced iMacs. I guess you're looking for completely clear extensions from the main product? Very specific.
posted by designbot at 11:48 AM on March 19 [1 favorite]

Yeah, the DS Lite is an example of Apple's all-white "bathroom" aesthetic—the designers were inspired by the cleanliness of all-white, shiny bathroom tiles, sinks and toilet seats.

I'll see if I can find anything that puts a name to the "clear" look.
posted by limeonaire at 12:35 PM on March 19 [1 favorite]

One possible referent for the clear Lucite/Perspex/polycarbonate look: Philippe Starck. See his ERO/S/ chair, his La Marie chair for Kartell, his Louis Ghost Chair, and his Mr. Impossible chair, among others.
posted by limeonaire at 12:46 PM on March 19 [1 favorite]

OK, I think I found the answer. Whilst browsing Mac accessories, I found a mouse described as "clear over white". Specifically, a review states:

“Happily, the basic Mouse/Mouse II symmetrical ovoid form factor has been retained with Danger Mouse, although in opaque white or black (or red, about which more below) livery rather than the clear-over-white motif of the older design. I do prefer the aesthetic effect of clear-over-white. The opaque color looks a bit bland and utilitarian by contrast.”

In fact the product creator used the phrase in a press release:

“Since we first designed our The Mouse USB mouse in 2002 we have seen it become one of the most popular mice on the market for customers who appreciate the clear-over-white classic Apple styling”

Then again, this reviewer uses both the terms "clear over white" and "white under clear"!

In the comments for this gadget ripoff thread, several people discuss Apple's use of "white under clear plastic" and "white/black under clear plastic with chrome backing".

This iPod user also digs "the white-under-clear plastic look". This Apple Display owner explains nomenclature of "white bevel with clear plastic". This designer says the iPod look is a design language. (I think the 3G iPod may be an example of the look I'm talking about, but maybe not the other ones.)

“An absence of color (white, black, or material color only) Strong two-tone contrast”

As far I can tell, "clear-over-white" wins, with "white under clear" second, and lots of variations losing.
posted by Monochrome at 2:54 AM on March 31

More searching reveals the phrase "crystal clear" when referring to the display. Also it's been called "the graphite and ice color scheme".
posted by Monochrome at 11:43 PM on April 12

Aha! Apple themselves refer to it as "crystal clear enclosures".
posted by Monochrome at 5:57 PM on July 20