Google Photos Introduces Design Overhaul Testing
Google Photos is undergoing a significant redesign, aligning with Material 3 Expressive design principles. This update, based on unreleased code that closely adheres to Google's published design practices, may roll out soon.
One of the most noticeable changes is the bolder, more impactful look for album covers. The new covers stand out from regular photos, using more screen space for displaying imagery rather than menus and buttons. The top button bar has been replaced with a reduced selection of action buttons overlaid directly on top of the cover image.
To change the order of photos in an album, users will need to enter the album editing menu. The sort button has been removed from the main interface, and the location of some action buttons may require users to explore the interface. For instance, the cast button has been moved behind the three-dot menu.
The text on the album covers is now an integral part of the cover design. Google is experimenting with dynamic text that wraps around objects in the cover photo. However, the dynamic text feature is not yet available for testing.
Album titles in the new design are centre-justified and presented in all caps. A notable change is the location of the comments button, which is now found in the floating pill at the bottom of the screen.
Users can check the Google Play Store or Apple App Store for updates. While some key action buttons have been moved in the redesigned Google Photos, the report does not mention any changes to the dynamic text feature.
The decision to give Google Photos new and dramatically changed album cover designs was made by Google's design team or product management, but no specific individual responsible for this decision is publicly named in the available search results.
As always, users are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the new interface to make the most of the redesigned Google Photos.
