There’s a funny conflict to the idea of user interfaces: a good one tends to go unnoticed, the thoughtful design decisions too subtle to notice; a bad UX or UI is one that makes you want to scream. It’s a tension that designers have to think about every time they conceive a new website, app, or device.
You, me, and UI
How designers run the world.
![](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24539842/P13_How_Designers_Run_the_World_236587.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400)
In this special series from The Verge, we explore the small design decisions that have had an outsize impact on our lives. From simple card game browser UIs to deliberately complicated video game setups, all-too-forgotten accessibility options for colorblindness to the curious incentive-driven histories of the shuffle and log out buttons, these stories delve into the ways that user interfaces have driven us forward, or failed, or found an entirely new way of living.
![The Color Quiz](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24563314/Project_14_Color_Quiz_236587.jpeg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400)
![This is what it looks like to be colorblind](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24539835/P10_Colorblind_Leading_the_Blind_236587.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400)
Apparently, the very idea of colorblindness is hard to visualize. Take a shot at looking through my eyes.
![The sudden death and rebirth of Tweetbot](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24539832/P12_RIP_Tweetbot_236587.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400)
The app’s open-casket funeral, and reincarnation as a Mastodon app.
![My bad VR trip](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24539847/P1_VR_Aftercare_236587.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400)
Immersive, embodied interfaces need careful transitions and aftercare protocols.
![The poop emoji: a legal history](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24539840/P7_Emojis_and_the_Law_236587.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400)
As emoji use grows, judges have to get special trainings. ✨
![The Apple Lisa was a design revolution — and it still feels like one today](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24564041/VRG_TEC_lisa_design_Container_post.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400)
The Lisa helped create the design language for computers as we know them. Here’s what it’s like to use one.
![The impossibility of logging off](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24539838/P6_Challenge_of_Logging_Out_236587.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400)
![My beautiful life with too many remotes](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24539841/P5_Too_Many_Remotes_236587.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400)
The touchscreen may reign supreme, but the single-purpose remotes in my house authentically inspire joy.
![The hellish design of the Crusader Kings video games](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24539833/P9_Crusader_Kings_236587.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400)
When a game is mostly hard because the UI is terrible, what happens when you start streamlining its interface?
![The revenge of the pop-up](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24539845/P4_Pop_Ups_236587.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400)
Nobody wants them. Nobody likes them. Why is the worst UI element of all time ubiquitous again?
![A poker website that is actually good](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24539843/P3_PokerNow_236587.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400)
Sites designed to exploit users’ gambling addictions are going to be a little predatory. Poker Now somehow turned out to be different.
![Opulent, joyous, decadent: the Japanese decoden trend comes to America](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24539834/P11_Smartphone_Maximalism_236587.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400)
Make Steve Jobs roll over in his grave with a custom rabbit strawberry glitter frosting iPhone case.
![The Color Quiz](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24563314/Project_14_Color_Quiz_236587.jpeg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400)
![This is what it looks like to be colorblind](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24539835/P10_Colorblind_Leading_the_Blind_236587.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400)
Apparently, the very idea of colorblindness is hard to visualize. Take a shot at looking through my eyes.
![The sudden death and rebirth of Tweetbot](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24539832/P12_RIP_Tweetbot_236587.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400)
The app’s open-casket funeral, and reincarnation as a Mastodon app.
![My bad VR trip](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24539847/P1_VR_Aftercare_236587.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400)
Immersive, embodied interfaces need careful transitions and aftercare protocols.
![The poop emoji: a legal history](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24539840/P7_Emojis_and_the_Law_236587.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400)
As emoji use grows, judges have to get special trainings. ✨
![The Apple Lisa was a design revolution — and it still feels like one today](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24564041/VRG_TEC_lisa_design_Container_post.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400)
The Lisa helped create the design language for computers as we know them. Here’s what it’s like to use one.
![The impossibility of logging off](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24539838/P6_Challenge_of_Logging_Out_236587.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400)
![My beautiful life with too many remotes](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24539841/P5_Too_Many_Remotes_236587.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400)
The touchscreen may reign supreme, but the single-purpose remotes in my house authentically inspire joy.
![The hellish design of the Crusader Kings video games](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24539833/P9_Crusader_Kings_236587.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400)
When a game is mostly hard because the UI is terrible, what happens when you start streamlining its interface?
![The revenge of the pop-up](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24539845/P4_Pop_Ups_236587.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400)
Nobody wants them. Nobody likes them. Why is the worst UI element of all time ubiquitous again?
![A poker website that is actually good](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24539843/P3_PokerNow_236587.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400)
Sites designed to exploit users’ gambling addictions are going to be a little predatory. Poker Now somehow turned out to be different.
![Opulent, joyous, decadent: the Japanese decoden trend comes to America](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24539834/P11_Smartphone_Maximalism_236587.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400)
Make Steve Jobs roll over in his grave with a custom rabbit strawberry glitter frosting iPhone case.
![My bad VR trip](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24539847/P1_VR_Aftercare_236587.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=16.666666666667%2C0%2C66.666666666667%2C100&w=2400)
![My bad VR trip](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24539847/P1_VR_Aftercare_236587.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400)
![The Color Quiz](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24563314/Project_14_Color_Quiz_236587.jpeg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=16.666666666667%2C0%2C66.666666666667%2C100&w=2400)
![The Color Quiz](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24563314/Project_14_Color_Quiz_236587.jpeg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400)
![The poop emoji: a legal history](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24539840/P7_Emojis_and_the_Law_236587.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=16.666666666667%2C0%2C66.666666666667%2C100&w=2400)
![The poop emoji: a legal history](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24539840/P7_Emojis_and_the_Law_236587.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400)
![The sudden death and rebirth of Tweetbot](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24539832/P12_RIP_Tweetbot_236587.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=16.666666666667%2C0%2C66.666666666667%2C100&w=2400)
![The sudden death and rebirth of Tweetbot](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24539832/P12_RIP_Tweetbot_236587.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400)