This might be a bit of a niche appreciation, but I still have a huge soft spot for Microsoft's Metro design language, especially as it was realized in Windows 8.1 and on the Nokia Lumia phones. Back in college, everyone was obsessed with Apple – the sleek iPhones and MacBooks. And while I admired Apple's hardware, my design heart was captivated by something different. I dreamt of owning a Nokia Lumia (though I never actually did!).

What was it about Metro? It felt so "authentically digital." Clean lines, bold typography, vibrant flat colors, and those dynamic Live Tiles that offered information at a glance. It was a departure from the skeuomorphism that was prevalent at the time. It embraced its digital nature rather than trying to mimic real-world objects. I loved the emphasis on content over chrome, the panoramic views, and the fluid animations. It felt modern, unique, and incredibly logical.

My parents ended up getting me an Android phone back then, and soon after, Nokia's phone division was sold and the Lumia line eventually faded. By the time I could afford to choose my own phone, the Windows Phone ecosystem was already declining. My first laptop, however, came with Windows 8.1 out of the box, and I genuinely enjoyed using it, navigating the Start screen, and appreciating the design consistency. It's a shame it didn't gain wider traction, but for me, Metro remains a brilliant example of a bold, opinionated, and beautiful design system. It still subtly influences what I find appealing in UI/UX today.