Glassmorphism
Glassmorphism is a design style characterized by the use of vibrant colors covered with glassy layers, semi-transparent panels, soft lighting, depth effects, and background blur.[1] It has been described as a successor to, or evolution of, Neumorphism.[2]
Characteristics
Glassmorphism is defined by its glassy appearance, which is achieved through using a semi-transparent blur effect, rounded edges, and a thin outline, creating the impression of a glass edge surface. By varying the transparency intensity of multiple such glass surfaces, a sense of depth is created, resulting in surfaces with higher transparency appearing closer to users than those with a lower transparency level. Using distinct color gradients as a background enhance this sense of depth.[2]
History
The term "Glassmorphism" was coined by Michal Malewicz in 2020.[1] Apple's macOS Big Sur, released in 2020, is an early example of an operating system that incorporated some glassmorphic elements.[2] Microsoft's operating systems Windows Vista and Windows 7, which both used the Windows Aero design language, have been identified as precursors, using a glass-like appearance for their window borders and status bars.[3] Glassmorphism uses many elements of the Frutiger Aero design style which was prevalent from the mid-2000s to early 2010s, including skeuomorphic elements and semi-realistic icons.
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By the mid-2020s, Glassmorphism began to gradually replace flat design in interface design.[1] In 2025, Apple introduced its Liquid Glass design language, which features transparent elements and 3D effects, and has been described as a shift away from the flat design aesthetic introduced with iOS 7 in 2013.[4] It is inspired by the user interface of the Apple Vision Pro and its visionOS operating system, released one year prior.[5][6] Microsoft's video game brand Xbox replaced its flat, simplistic logo with a more shiny, translucent one in 2026.[7][8] Also in 2026, Google released Android 17, which moves away from Android's flat, solid style toward a more translucent look with blurry elements.[9] Huawei's HarmonyOS is another operating system that adopted translucent panels and frosted-glass effects in the mid-2020s.[10] Samsung's One UI user interface also added Glassmorphic elements such as floating panels, softer visuals, and increased transparency with version 8.5's design overhaul in 2026.[11]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Eddy, Jess (2025-08-12). "Glassmorphism in 2025: How Apple's Liquid Glass is reshaping interface design" (in en). https://www.everydayux.net/glassmorphism-apple-liquid-glass-interface-design/.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Petereit, Dieter (2021-03-11). "Design-Trend 2021: Das ist Glasmorphismus und deshalb kommt es dir bekannt vor" (in de). https://t3n.de/news/design-trend-2021-dir-bekannt-1365503/.
- ↑ Figura, Jan (August 2026). "Glassmorphism" (in de). https://uxma.com/de/insights/glassmorphism.
- ↑ Barlow, Graham (2026-05-11). "Apple’s new Liquid Glass UI design unveiled at WWDC 2025 is nothing new – I can see right through it" (in en). https://www.techradar.com/computing/the-way-apples-design-team-intended-it-from-the-start-liquid-glass-is-getting-a-macos-27-overhaul-to-fix-its-most-glaring-problems.
- ↑ Silberling, Amanda (2025-06-13). "Apple's Liquid Glass design is paving the way for AR glasses" (in en-US). https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/13/apples-liquid-glass-design-is-paving-the-way-for-ar-glasses/.
- ↑ "Apple lässt Nutzer ihre iPhones intransparent machen" (in de). Der Spiegel. 2025-11-04. ISSN 2195-1349. https://www.spiegel.de/netzwelt/gadgets/apple-iphone-liquid-glass-look-abschalten-neue-features-in-ios-26-1-a-3e5af7aa-58dc-4fde-8400-9de67c8b1fe5.
- ↑ Wales, Matt (2026-04-24). "As its 'we can change' campaign continues, Microsoft unveils a new Xbox logo, and it's an intentional blast from the past" (in en). https://www.eurogamer.net/xbox-unveils-new-logo.
- ↑ Phillips, Tom (2026-05-01). "Xbox Boss Asha Sharma Reveals Company's Shiny New Logo Will Launch Today as a Dynamic Background, and More" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/xboxs-shiny-new-logo-available-today-as-a-dynamic-background-and-more.
- ↑ Fedewa, Joe (2026-01-26). "This could be our first look at Android 17's new glassy design" (in en). https://www.howtogeek.com/this-could-be-our-first-look-at-android-17/.
- ↑ Li, Deng (2026-03-27). "Huawei revamps HarmonyOS 6 with glass UI effects" (in en-US). https://www.huaweicentral.com/huawei-revamps-harmonyos-6-with-glass-ui-effects/.
- ↑ Pandit, Chandan (2025-12-10). "Samsung's One UI 8.5 Redesign Shows Apple's Liquid Glass Inspiration" (in en-US). https://www.androidheadlines.com/2025/12/samsung-one-ui-8-5-redesign-apple-liquid-glass-influence.html.
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