AWS gives its management screens a makeover in the name of improved productivity

Maybe it was crowded layout, inconsistent colors and drop shadows that made cloud so hard?

Amazon Web Services pioneered public cloud computing, and by doing so created myriad possibilities that have shaped the world we live in today. But the service has never been notable for offering admins a delightful experience – a negative it appears to be trying to change.

The cloudy concern on Thursday announced a forthcoming "visual update" to the AWS Management Console.

Principal partner solutions architect Prasad Rao described the update: "A revised typography scale and improved treatment of headings result in a stronger visual hierarchy, which helps you to better locate and understand your data." Yes, font choice matters. Hard to argue.

He also promised an "improved the color palette" that is "more vibrant" and "simplified the color treatment of interactive elements."

That apparently translates into secondary buttons, links, tokens, and interactive states for numerous interface elements all now being blue, "making it easier for you to interact with the content on the screen and contributing to improving task efficiency."

Rao also explained that drop shadows have been replaced by "a new thinner stroke on main content wrappers, such as cards, panels, and containers" – because apparently the old design contributed to "visual noise" that made it hard to focus.

The Register always thought those drop shadows were productivity killers.

Here's a GIF of the old and new design, as viewed in Dark Mode.

AWS's old and updated management console interface – Click to enlarge

The org has also reduced unused space, which apparently means you'll find "more content visible on the screen" and relevant info "displayed closer together, reinforcing visual grouping."

If you like the new look, Rao wrote it's because AWS is using "rounder shapes, brighter colors, and improved layout treatment" that together "create a smoother, more natural appearance, making the interface more visually pleasing."

The updated console is available now "in selected consoles across all AWS Regions by visiting the AWS Management Console" and will eventually be made available across all services. ®