Software

Software development has steadly moved forward since its beginning in the 1940s. The experience for the computer users has changed dramatically from the early command-line screens to current feature- rich and visually-compelling operating systems and software applications. The Mac, released in 1984, was the first commercially successful computer to use a Graphical User Interface (GUI).

Desktop image of early Mac OS interface

The introduction of the GUI had a tremendous impact on the software industry, helping to bring the computer out from the programmer's realm into that of the average consumer. Apple popularized many new concepts into the world of software, such as using visual representations of systems functions in the form of icons - such as folders to indicate directories, and a garbage can for deletion.

Desktop image of Tiger, the Mac current OS

In 1990, following in the footsteps of Apple, Microsoft released Windows 3.0, its first commercially popular OS. As software has increasingly become a consumer product, the role of Information Design has gained importance in the software development process. •