I'm referring to PhotoCuller on iPad with the culling panel displayed on the left.
In the side panel, there is already a clear visual language for the two states:
1. Flagged / Unflagged
- When an image is flagged, the flag icon is shown as a solid orange flag.
- When an image is not flagged, the flag icon is shown as an outline without color.
2. Rejected / Not rejected
- When an image is rejected, the cross is shown in red.
- When an image is not rejected, the cross is grayed out.
My suggestion is to extend this same visual language to the superimposed icons that appear in full-screen view when swiping to change a state.
In other words:
- Adding a Flag → show the orange flag overlay.
- Removing a Flag → show a colorless/gray flag overlay.
- Adding a Reject state → show the red cross overlay.
- Removing a Reject state → show a colorless/gray cross overlay.
Currently, when I un-reject an image, the red frame disappears exactly as expected, but I still see a red cross flashing briefly. Likewise, when I unflag an image, I still see an orange flag appearing, albeit outlined.
I think the distinction would be much more intuitive if the overlay communicated the direction of the action through the same visual language already used in the culling panel.
Seeing a red or orange icon when adding a state feels like an alert or confirmation: this image is now rejected/flagged.
Conversely, seeing the corresponding gray or colorless icon when removing a state would communicate: this state has just been removed.
It's a small detail, but I think it would make the swipe gesture feel more consistent, predictable, and reassuring.
