Metro (design language)

"Modern UI" redirects here. For Nullsoft's installation system, see Nullsoft Scriptable Install System § Modern user interface.
"Microsoft Metro" redirects here. For the file format codenamed Metro, see Open XML Paper Specification.
See also: Aero (user interface) and Fluent Design System

The Music+Video hub on Windows Phone

Microsoft Design Language (or MDL),[1] previously known as Metro, is a design language created by Microsoft. This design language is focused on typography and simplified icons, absence of clutter, increased content to chrome ratio ("content before chrome"), and basic geometric shapes. Early examples of MDL principles can be found in Encarta 95 and MSN 2.0.[2][3] The design language evolved in Windows Media Center and Zune and was formally introduced as Metro during the unveiling of Windows Phone 7. It has since been incorporated into several of the company's other products, including the Xbox 360 system software and the Xbox One system software, Windows 8, Windows Phone, and Outlook.com.[4][5] Before the "Microsoft design language" title became official, Microsoft executive Qi Lu referred to it as the modern UI design language in his MIXX conference keynote speech.[6] According to Microsoft, "Metro" has always been a codename and was never meant as a final product, but news websites attribute this change to trademark issues.[4]

Microsoft Design Language 2 (MDL2) was developed alongside Windows 10.[7][8] In 2017, the Fluent Design language extended it.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference zdnetofficial was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Green, Jay (8 February 2012). "Why Metro now rules at Microsoft". CNET. CBS Interactive.
  3. ^ Massey, Stephane (15 February 2012). "Metro Ui [sic] Design Principles". stephanemassey.com. Self-published. Archived from the original on 2 August 2018. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
  4. ^ a b Chang, Alexandra (8 August 2012). "Microsoft Doesn't Need a Name for Its User Interface". Wired. Condé Nast.
  5. ^ Kruzeniski, Mike (11 April 2011). "How Print Design is the Future of Interaction". Kruzeniski.com. Self-published. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2011.
  6. ^ Lu, Qi (1 October 2012). "Qi Lu: IAB MIXX Conference Keynote". News Center. Microsoft.
  7. ^ Sams, Brad (21 April 2015). "From Metro to Microsoft Design Language 2: a side-by-side comparison". Neowin.
  8. ^ Rubino, Daniel (21 April 2015). "What's new in Microsoft Design Language 2 for Windows 10". Windows Central. Mobile Nations.