Liquid Glass by Apple
Why It’s a Game-Changer for Brand Identity Designers
At WWDC 2025, Apple dropped its new Liquid Glass design language-think of it as the UI equivalent of molten crystal. But it’s way more than a pretty retrofit. This is a shift in the UI universe: interactive, adaptive, and downright alive.
1. Design That Bends with Reality
Forget buttons that sit frozen in place. Liquid Glass reacts to light, movement, even your mood. Sliders shift, toolbars shimmer – they respond.
👉 Designer takeaway: Think less “build once, done,” and more “context-aware experiences.” Can your UI flex with the user’s world?
2. Depth by Way of Transparency
Picture stacked frosted glass panes – minimal clutter, maximum depth. Apple’s not adding busy graphics; they’re letting transparency do the heavy lifting.
👉 Designer takeaway: Layers + subtle opacity = sophistication. Explore translucency in brand elements for a premium feel without drowning in polish.
3. A Unified Visual Voice
Liquid Glass isn’t siloed on iPhone or Mac, it’s across iOS, macOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS 26. One visual language, every screen.
👉 Designer takeaway: Build using shared design tokens – colours, motion rules, light‑interaction. Make your brand identity feel built by the same team, everywhere.
4. UI as an Extension of Brand Identity
This isn’t just slick aesthetics, it’s reinforcement of Apple’s narrative: seamless, responsive, human‑first. The visuals don’t just look good, they speak the brand.
👉 Designer takeaway: From your app UI to in‑store displays, every touchpoint should echo your core values: clarity, agility, and craftsmanship.
✍️ What You Can Put into Action—Today
Prototype light‑adaptivity: Try tools like Framer to simulate UI that senses light and dark mode shifts in real time.
Define micro‑motions: Buttons, icons, data-give them purposeful animation that tells a visual story.
Adopt translucent tokens: Add opacity layers to your style guide. Keep it handy: when does your UI get that “frosted window” vibe?
Show consistency across platforms: Build quick mockups for web, mobile, wearables and show the brand holds strong even in motion.
🎯 The Big Picture
Liquid Glass proves this: UI isn’t just something you see. It’s something you feel. It reacts, adapts, and deepens user connection. As brand identity designers, our job isn’t just to craft visuals-it’s to build visual systems that breathe with context, emotion, and authenticity.
Your mission? Design with your environment in mind-the light, the movement, the moment. Treat UI like a living canvas, not a static poster.
For more insights on enhancing your brand’s identity and creating impactful design solutions, stay tuned to my blog or contact me directly. Let’s work together to elevate your brand to new heights!
The Creative Compass Bulletin is your monthly guide to navigating the world of design. Packed with inspiration, expert tips, and exclusive resources, it’s crafted specifically for freelance designers who are ready to level up their creative game and grow their brand. Join a community of like-minded creatives and let the Creative Compass Bulletin point you in the right direction!
