The Flat Design Era
Microsoft seems to be the biggest current proponent of flat design, and I must say it's not so great for usability.<p>When I see this: <a href="http://www.istartedsomething.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/windows8metrostart.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://www.istartedsomething.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/...</a>  I have no idea what is and is not a button.  I suppose it's <i>all</i> a button.  But there are zero affordances in this UI.<p>This is now finding its way to Microsoft's websites.  On outlook, I can't quickly find the buttons to do key tasks: <a href="http://cdn-static.zdnet.com/i/story/70/00/001893/eb-new-outlook-three-panes-620.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://cdn-static.zdnet.com/i/story/70/00/001893/eb-new-outl...</a><p>I think the reaction to excessive skeuomorphism is well founded, but removing all affordances isn't the proper way to move forward either.