Severance UI Design
Here’s a look at the Apple TV+ show Severance. It’s set in a fictional time that features both advanced technology and clunky hardware synonymous with the 1990s. It’s a fascinating mix of futuristic ideas in a time where cassette players, camcorders, CRT monitors are still in use. This futuristic take on a modern office environment reminds me of the film Her.
The interface design is very obscure and quirky. Even the description of the interface doesn’t quite make sense, but the animation alludes to some form of comprehension.
There’s actually a strange look that’s created when seeing old CRT screens shot in HD. The screens actually look quite crisp if not for the pixelation.
The keyboard design is also interesting. I have never seen a 90s keyboard designed with such nice materials and finesse. I also really like the inclusion of the trackball mouse. These touches add so much personality to the fictional world. It’s like an alternative reality where technology advanced in a different way and the hardware and way humans interact with computers never evolved past the 1990s.
