Discord New UI Concepts and Experimental Features

Introduction

• Discord introduced four new UI concepts and three experimental features.
• There is a survey called "Discord's Future Look" for user feedback on these concepts.
• Concepts might take 2 to 200 years to implement.

Concept 1: Slightly Improved Discord

• Description: Looks almost identical to current Discord.
• New Features:
  • Activity tab to see friends' game activities.
  • Slight changes in reaction icons and invite design.
• Rating: 5/10
• Remarks: Serves as a baseline; anything below 5 means it looks worse.

Concept 2: Discord Mobile on Desktop

• Description: Desktop version mirrors mobile app design.
• New Features:
  • Rounded corners and bigger buttons.
  • Enhanced activity tab with larger banners.
  • Updated invite design.
• Rating: 8/10
• Remarks: Looks good, essentially Discord 2.0.

Concept 3: Transparency

• Description: Transparent Windows.
• Concerns:
  • Potential lag for older computers.
  • Difficulty in reading text on transparent backgrounds.
• Rating: 6/10
• Remarks: Feels like a client modification theme.

Concept 4: Straight Cooking

• Description: Most radical change, reminiscent of Microsoft's influence.
• New Features:
  • Banner spans in the background.
  • Calendar, channel list, and member list changes.
  • Pop-up chat menu from the middle of the screen.
  • Activity tab with collapsible banners.
  • Updated invite links.
• Rating: 10/10
• Remarks: Major departure from current design. Gets an 11/10 for innovation.

Experimental Features

1. Global Discovery

• Description: New Discovery tab UI for servers and apps.
• Features:
  • Basic gradients and rounded corners.
  • Tabs for quests and shop.
• Remarks: Under experimentation; may not get released.

2. Message Bookmarks

• Description: Bookmark individual messages for personal reference.
• How to Use:
  • Bookmark via the three-dot menu on a message.
  • Access bookmarks in the new Inbox tab.
• Remarks: Functions like a to-do list. Based on the existing staff-only feature "message to-do list."

3. In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)

• Description: New mobile app tab showing announcements from various servers.
• Features:
  • Customizable to show specific servers and NSFW content.
  • Allows reaction and forward actions.
• Remarks: Early experimental stage. Can be fully customized or disabled.

Conclusion

• Discord is actively experimenting with new features and design changes.
• User feedback through surveys and experiments will shape the future updates.
• Exciting potential changes on the horizon.