Sci-Fi UI #7 - LCARS

The Library Computer Access and Retrieval System also known as Okudagrams after their creator Michael Okuda, is a beautifully minimal and elegant user interface designed for the 24th century setting of Star Trek, The Next Generation. I really love how these designs came from necessity, the panels were made of Plexiglas with backlit blocks of colour to produce the displays cheaply. Micheal was tasked with keeping the design simple so that they could easily be replaced and quickly reproduced. The outcome is now iconic, and 20 years prior to the ‘Flat UI’ trend of today it seems like many designers are inspired by these ideas of keeping interfaces clean, straightforward and functional.