Table of Contents
Introduction
The digital world does not stand still. Think back five years. Your website was the height of modernity. Now, it might already feel a bit tired. Perhaps the colours look a little flat, the menu a touch basic, or the layout not quite as immersive as you remembered. In the creative industry, change is both exhilarating and relentless. Each new idea, every shift in design philosophy, does more than tweak the standard. It sends a ripple through agencies, brands, and users alike.
This year, that ripple has become a wave. Apple’s latest software update introduces “liquid glass”. It feels both futuristic and nostalgic. Yet, this is not just a new look for screens. There is a sense that Apple is setting the stage for something even bigger. The era of spatial computing, augmented reality, and Vision Pro. Subtle depth, tactility, and blurred layers are not simply decorative. They are foundations for a new kind of user experience, one where digital interfaces float and interact with the physical world, seamlessly blending the two.
At a time when digital sameness is everywhere, Apple has reignited the debate about what “modern” means in UI and UX. For brands and designers, it is crucial to understand what is changing, and why. Just as important, knowing how to adapt your digital presence so you do not fall behind.
At Temple Brown, we make it our business to read these tides, not just surf them. We question every trend, seeking the principles that deliver lasting value to clients. In this article, we explore what Apple’s liquid glass update means for web design. We also show how you can evolve with confidence, without chasing every passing fad.
Historical Context & Apple's Design Evolution
When Apple introduced iOS 7 in 2013, the world took notice. Overnight, the company swapped faux leather and felt for something cleaner and almost weightless. Not everyone cheered. Tech blogs were split. Some Apple users loved the “refreshingly modern” feel. Others called it “shockingly stark”. As one reviewer said, it felt like we had jumped a decade ahead in a single night.
But this was not just a visual refresh. Flat design, with its clean lines and bright palette, marked a shift in philosophy. Decoration took a back seat. Clarity and usability moved to the front. Other tech giants followed. Google’s Material Design arrived in 2014, blending Apple’s simplicity with extra movement and layering. Microsoft’s Metro UI doubled down on grids and big, bold typography.
The ripple was global. Designers who once slaved over drop shadows and wood grain now stripped everything to the bare essentials. Some celebrated the speed. Pages loaded faster. Code was lighter. But not everyone was thrilled. Many missed the warmth, the texture, the feeling. The mantra “Good design is invisible” took over. Yet as the years went by, critics pointed to a downside: flat design can leave users lost. Click here or there? Sometimes, it was anyone’s guess.
Now, the pendulum swings back. With liquid glass, Apple signals a new phase. Minimalism, but with nuance. Clarity, with a little softness around the edges. A touch of tactility returns to digital life.
The Introduction of Liquid Glass
So, what is “liquid glass”? In Apple’s 2025 update, it is a style that introduces translucency, layered blurs, and a physical feel to digital surfaces. Panels and notifications seem to hover over gentle, diffused backgrounds. Light dances across the interface, hinting at depth beneath.
But this is more than eye candy. Apple’s take is about making digital space feel intuitive. Like peering through a misted window, or catching a glimpse of something just out of focus. Move between layers, and transitions feel gentle. Text is always clear, but the background grounds you in the app.
Designers have been quick to weigh in. Some call it “glassmorphism”. Others see shades of neumorphism. Yet Apple’s approach stands out. It is subtler, more considered. Accessibility, motion, and legibility come first.
The hype has built steadily. Forums buzz with questions. Will these effects slow down older phones? Will web developers face new headaches? Apple promises optimisation, and the design community experiments with CSS blurs and overlays.
One thing is clear. Apple is nudging digital design towards more sophistication. But clarity still rules. Liquid is more than a look, it is a feeling.
Projected Impact on Web and Digital Design
Apple’s influence never stops at its own doorstep. Within weeks of a new update, design portfolios sprout “liquid glass inspired” UIs. Tutorials pop up. E-commerce, agency sites, personal blogs, all want that extra gloss.
But liquid glass is not plug and play. At Temple Brown, we have put these effects through their paces. CSS blurs and overlays can be beautiful, but on older kit, they can make a site grind to a halt. High-end devices cope well. Others lag, scroll jerkily, or turn buttons into a guessing game.
One size does not fit all. For large e-commerce, glassy overlays polish hero images and nav bars, but only with strong fallbacks. SaaS dashboards can use glass cards for depth, if details stay legible. Agencies might go bold, mixing glass with animated gradients. Blogs might just need a single translucent menu to feel fresh.
The rules? Fundamentals first. Always. Accessibility, contrast, and performance come before sparkle. Google’s Core Web Vitals still call the shots. We start with a fast, clean site, then build up. Never the other way around.
A Temple Brown checklist for liquid glass:
- Check your audience’s devices and browsers before rolling out effects.
- Use CSS hardware acceleration when you can.
- Keep contrast strong for text on glassy backgrounds.
- Profile and test for performance, especially on scroll.
- Accessibility tests at every stage, using Lighthouse, Axe, and Wave.
- A/B test to see if effects help or hinder clarity and conversion.
Expert voices agree. Delight should never come at the cost of usability.
Influence Beyond Digital: Car Software and Other Industries
Apple’s designs are never just for their own screens. Already, CarPlay and smart home dashboards are echoing the look. Other industries are taking notes.
Car makers now look to Apple for inspiration. Their dashboards and maps use subtle glass layers to guide drivers’ eyes. Less distraction, more clarity.
In smart homes, from thermostat screens to TVs, glassy UI helps users know what is interactive and what is not. It is clear, but soft. The same thinking applies to wearables. Apple’s approach is seeping into fitness trackers and even headphones.
There are risks. Overdo the visuals in critical apps, and you invite confusion, or worse. Good design is always a balance. Still, Apple’s move is pushing more brands to embrace tactile, elegant digital experiences.
How Apple’s Aesthetic Shifts Shape the Industry
Let’s remember the flat design revolution. In 2013, Apple swept aside shadows and texture. Google and Microsoft quickly followed. Suddenly, gradients and drop shadows were out. Crisp grids, big typography, and empty space were in.
The effect? A whole industry pivoted. Instagram went from a skeuomorphic camera to a bold, flat gradient. Airbnb stripped colour and clutter from its booking screens. Even banks and start-ups went minimalist.
Design agencies followed suit. Portfolios everywhere lost their visual weight. Grids and white space ruled. Yet, with so much simplicity, things risked blending together.
Liquid glass offers something back. Not a return to the old ways. Instead, a hybrid, a touch of depth, logic, and tactility. If history is any guide, Apple’s move will ripple through dashboards, apps, and devices everywhere.
Subtle Evolutions: Designing Towards the Future
Do you remember your website from five years ago? It was cutting-edge then. Is it still? Digital evolution moves quickly. Standing still is not an option. But you do not need a revolution. You can start with refinement.
If you want to bring your site in line with the liquid glass look, you do not need to throw everything out. Gradual changes are best. Try soft shadows, layered backgrounds, or a glassy navigation bar. Add subtle gradients and gentle motion. Make each update lightweight and reversible.
Performance always comes first. Start with a strong core, then add effects where they help. At Temple Brown, we help brands evolve, not just rebrand. We keep technical rigour and user experience at the heart of every shift.
Anticipating Future Design Trends
Accessibility is not optional. Glass and blur are beautiful, but can make life harder for some. Think of users with visual impairments or neurodiverse needs. Test, adapt, and always comply with the latest standards.
Use tools like Lighthouse, Axe, and Wave, but remember, inclusion starts with intent. As AR, VR, and spatial computing become mainstream, expect more tactile, layered interfaces. Apple Vision Pro is just the start.
Conclusion
Apple has changed the conversation. Flat, fluid, rigid, or responsive, the digital standard keeps moving. For Temple Brown, this is more than a fleeting trend. It is a call to raise our game in digital experiences.
Every project begins with discovery. We get to know your business, your users, your real-world challenges. We are not just designers. We are practitioners, always close to our craft, and always looking ahead.
Business growth through design is what we do best. Evolve your brand, optimise your performance, future-proof your digital presence, Temple Brown is your partner at every stage. Every pixel matters. Every design choice is current, meaningful, and built for your goals.
We interpret trends, test them, and make them work for real people. If you want your brand to lead the next wave of web design, let’s talk. Temple Brown is here to help you build a digital future that lasts.
