I would like to provide some information on working with System Settings. This is a big endeavor and not an easy one. System Settings is a good expression of the power of Plasma KDE and also the many influences that have shaped it over the years.

Trying to untangle the work that has gone into System Settings requires time and patience. I have always been interested in working in revamping this UI. We worked with the team in the VDG on this some time ago, and although there were many great and interesting changes, the scope of the work was too great. Therefore, we decided only to move forward with those things that were achievable at the time.

We reorganized our settings.

In recent iterations of the software, we have also decided to change a few more visuals with the application and have added a second column for specific KCMs.

However, I feel we want to go further in the future and achieve even more. It is because of that vision that I have decided to keep working with System Settings to help the modules arrive at a good place in the near future. I have taken consideration of a few ideas and initiatives that our team has, some reported bugs and overall perception. I suggested that I become a lead designer for this project.

But I can’t do it alone. If you have ideas and thoughts (albeit without drastically changing the direction that I am taking) please share them.

This is somewhat rough, but here is something that I can show for now, please note this is a graphic mockup, not a working UI:

Please note that these ideas here are still in progress. They are developing and changing a lot. Further things that I would like to design are:

Work on labels and develop a tone and angle for descriptions. Right now labels don’t have a consistent sound and tend to lead to confusion, at least in English.

Work on removing tabs in favor of a one-page interface where settings can be together without the need for more than 3 clicks before getting to the desired content.

Design new interactions for certain KCMs and follow a predictable structure for information presentation.

I hope this helps understand where System Settings can be.

Our KDE team is working hard these days in many areas. Adding System Settings to the mix might take time. For now, they are focused on getting people at our next sprint at Randa. They will be working on accessibility. I am hoping that we can bring System Settings to those discussions as well.

UPDATE: I should make a statement as it seems that others have been misled. This mockup is only a graphical concept, not a developed application. I am not a developer, I am a visual designer. This mockup is intended to have the KDE team review and come to a consensus to develop System Settings to something like I have proposed. The mockup is missing a few things, title bar, search fields, labels, and buttons. I hope it is evident that those changes will be included.