how dark mode killed good design

Summary

This video explores the debate between dark mode and light mode, questioning the assumed superiority of dark mode. The host delves into the health, battery, and readability claims of dark mode, conducting experiments and reviewing research. Surprisingly, the results suggest that neither mode is definitively better, as their benefits are situational and marginal. The video concludes that the evolution of display modes reflects thoughtful design, catering to individual needs rather than an 'average' user, and criticizes recent updates that seem to neglect user-centric design principles.

Takeaways

• 🌙 The speaker has been a long-time dark mode user, assuming it was universally preferred for its less harsh light on the eyes compared to light mode.
• 🤔 After a debate with friends, the speaker delves into researching the pros and cons of dark mode, questioning if it's really superior to light mode.
• 📱 The script discusses three main claims about dark mode: it's better for health at night, uses less battery power, and is easier to read.
• 🔦 Research suggests that while dark mode might reduce blue light exposure, its impact on sleep quality is still debated, and eye strain might be more related to focusing in the dark than screen brightness.
• 🌌 Dark mode can be beneficial for battery life on OLED screens, which require less power to display darker colors.
• 🕵️‍♀️ The speaker conducts experiments and finds that light mode often leads to higher readability scores, challenging the notion that dark mode is universally easier to read.
• 💻 Historically, dark mode was the default due to early computer technology, and light mode became popular with the advent of graphical user interfaces.
• 🎨 Apple's introduction of dark mode in 2018 was initially focused on aesthetics for creative professionals, not the general public.
• 🤷‍♀️ The speaker argues that the real 'winner' in the dark mode versus light mode debate is the user, who benefits from the option to choose based on personal preference and circumstance.
• 📉 The script critiques recent dark mode updates, suggesting they may be driven by feature obsession rather than user-centered design considerations.

Q & A

Why does the speaker initially assume that dark mode is universally preferred?

The speaker initially assumes that dark mode is universally preferred because they personally find light mode to be too bright and uncomfortable, comparing it to needing eclipse glasses, and they thought everyone on the internet shared this view.

What was the main reason the speaker spent weeks researching dark mode?

The speaker spent weeks researching dark mode due to an argument with friends that evolved into an obsession, leading them to investigate the rise and risks of dark mode.

What are the three claims the speaker investigates regarding dark mode?

The three claims the speaker investigates are that dark mode is better for your health at night, it uses less battery power, and it's easier to read.

What does the research suggest about the impact of blue light on sleep?

The research suggests that it's still up for debate whether the color of light alone, such as blue light, actually affects sleep that much.

How does the speaker's experiment on readability differ from existing academic research?

The speaker's experiment differs from existing academic research by creating custom games and tests to measure readability and legibility, and by using a larger and more diverse sample group through an online platform.

What was the outcome of the speaker's experiment regarding legibility in dark mode versus light mode?

The experiment found that light mode consistently led to higher scores in legibility compared to dark mode, regardless of user preference.

Why does the speaker argue that good design isn't about creating options for the average user?

The speaker argues that good design isn't about the average user because individual needs and experiences vary, and good design should accommodate these individual differences.

What historical context does the speaker provide about the origins of dark mode?

The speaker provides historical context that dark mode originated with early computer displays using Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT) which had a dark background with light content, and that light mode became prevalent with the shift to Graphical User Interfaces (GUI) that mimicked physical objects.

What is the speaker's conclusion about the effectiveness of dark mode in terms of battery life?

The speaker concludes that dark mode can help save battery life, especially on OLED screens, where displaying darker colors requires less battery power.

How does the speaker feel about the recent updates to dark mode by Apple?

The speaker feels that recent updates to dark mode by Apple have lost sight of what users actually want and are an example of companies offloading their UX work onto users by providing features without clear use cases.