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Design Commentary on Google's New To-Do Tasks App (pxlnv.com)
On the sidelines of Gmail's big refresh push, Google also released a new app called Google Tasks. It's a simple app that aims to help users manage their work and home tasks. But it's being talked about for one more reason. From a blog post: Unlike most of their other apps, though, Tasks uses an inconsistent mix of Roboto, their old brand typeface, and Product Sans, their new one. The two faces don't look good together -- it's like when Apple shipped apps that used both Helvetica and Lucida Grande. According to their announcement of Product Sans and their new logo, the typeface was supposed to be used in promotional materials and lockups, but there's no mention of it being used for product UIs. In fact, the only other product I can find that has this same inconsistent mix is the new Gmail.com, also previewed today.
It isn't just about what these typefaces look like, either, but how they're used. For example, when entering a new task, the name of the task is set in Product Sans; when it is added to the list, it becomes Roboto. Tapping on the task takes you to a details view where, now, the name of the task is in Product Sans. There are three options to add more information: if you want to add details, you'll do it in Roboto, but adding a due date will be in Product Sans. The "add subtasks" button -- well, text in the same grey as everything else except other buttons that are blue -- is set in Product Sans, but the tasks are set in Roboto.
It isn't just about what these typefaces look like, either, but how they're used. For example, when entering a new task, the name of the task is set in Product Sans; when it is added to the list, it becomes Roboto. Tapping on the task takes you to a details view where, now, the name of the task is in Product Sans. There are three options to add more information: if you want to add details, you'll do it in Roboto, but adding a due date will be in Product Sans. The "add subtasks" button -- well, text in the same grey as everything else except other buttons that are blue -- is set in Product Sans, but the tasks are set in Roboto.
It's the end of the world!
No, obviously it isn't. But not paying attention to UI suggests that there might well be an equivalent lack of attention given to inner workings including, the flavor of the month, security and privacy.
It's just like the infamous no-brown-m&m-s clause in Van Halen's contracts. That clause was long held to be the pinnacle of rock-and-roll excess, but in actuality, it wasn't about the preferences of the band members for snack foods. Rather it was an indicator the band used to judge how carefully the venue operator had read the contract and thus had prepared the important items like structural integrity of the stage, appropriate power feeds, evacuation routes, etc.
If someone can't get the obvious, glaring things right, they can't be trusted to get the hidden details right, either.
Put my fist through my alarm clock with its ding-dong death inside my ear. - The Blackjacks.