Spinner Rage, or A Level of Detail Only Designers Grok

October 21, 2010
miproconsulting
Blog

These days, we’re all familiar with the variations of Apple’s now-famous spinner animation that’s the modern-day incarnation of the ‘waiting’ hourglass. It began at Apple and has since spread just about everywhere in many variations.

Panic’s Cabel Sasser found a web spinner created by Ajaxload.info that is driving him nuts. And the reason it’s driving him nuts is so detailed that 99% of people would never notice it, but once you see the flaw you’re done for. In Sasser’s words:

Now look at that 16 x 16 sample again. You’ll see a brief, dark flash at the very top of the spinner, once per rotation. And, if you’re anything like me, you’ll never, ever be able to un-see it. Ever.

Read all about it here, even if you’re not a web or designer wonk. It gives you some insight into how a top-tier designer thinks and makes you appreciate companies like Apple who have people around to conquer such missteps.

As for me? Yeah, I hate frame five. Hope you will too.

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