Pixel Imperfection

Three cosmetic flaws that, more than anything, disclose the author's continued descent towards the final ("Siracusa") level of interface design neurosis/obsession.

White Blotch on Generic Application Icon

The generic Mac OS X application has a white blotch on it, beside the middle of the pencil, along the top edge. Here's the original icon:

Here's the area that houses the blotch magnified 500%:

Here's my fixed version, and the original for contrast:

It seems to be one of those things you wouldn't normally notice. But once you do, it's glaring. Well, for me, anyway.

Disappearing Ridge on top of Unified Windows

Unified windows have a "ridge" on the upper left and right portions that abruptly ends:

Magnified Unified to 500%, and put next to Aqua:

My fixed version, next to the original:

Fixed @ 500% versus the original:

Oh, and the ridges disappears/reappears as you show/hide the toolbar.

Too-wide Table Column Header Border

The right side of the border on the rightmost table column header is one pixel too thick:

I don't think this is intentional, because it will disappear if you resize the view and will never come back:

Update: Many people think the white blotch is the ruler's hole, like in this picture. Given the attention to detail this icon otherwise demonstrates, I'm inclined to agree. But I will say the hole is poorly placed, and should either be moved or eliminated altogether. Probably the latter, since I don't miss it in my "fixed" version.

Sunday, September 18, 2005
12:00 AM