Have you ever downloaded an application on your Mac from the web and a nifty-looking window pops-up asking you to double click or drag the icon to the applications folder in order to complete the setup?
This is a DMG file – also known as ‘Apple Disk Image’ – ultimately it allows the application to store compressed files and information on a virtual disk so that it may act similar to a data storage device. Not only are DMG files easy to work with, but some are pure works of art that genuinely inspire.
Why Design Attention-Grabbing DMGs?
If you ask why anyone would add illustration and other eye-catching attributes to a DMG file knowing the user has already decided to download the app, then I would ask you to look at it from the software company’s perspective, and you’ll realize that they’ve found a way to captivate the user to the point that clicking (or dragging) to complete the setup is interesting and possibly exciting.
Some software companies use the DMG to add catchy lines, messages, and further advertise their products as well. All in all the following apps have turned DMGs into a creative and colourful piece of your Mac.
The Showcase
These 40 Inspiring and Creative Mac DMGs are sure to keep you wanting for more. Let us know which ones we missed and the ones you like best!
AppZapper ↓
Mflow ↓
Alfred ↓
ColorSchemer ↓
Pastebot ↓
Mac Update ↓
TinyGrab ↓
Machinarium ↓
PostBox ↓
TV-Browser ↓
Wallet ↓
CleanMyMac ↓
RapidWeaver ↓
Corner Stone ↓
Snippet ↓
Clarus ↓
Image Spark ↓
Opera ↓
1Password ↓
CartLoom ↓
Snowtape ↓
MacJournal ↓
Contactizer Pro ↓
Microsoft Office 2008 ↓
DaisyDisk ↓
Delicious Library ↓
iClip ↓
Typeset ↓
MacDust ↓
VirusBarrier ↓
LittleSnapper ↓
Parallels Desktop ↓
Embraceware Awaken ↓
BareBones ↓
OmniFocus ↓
Voila ↓
Zykloid Posterino ↓
Eternal Storms Flickery ↓
Adium ↓
Cha-Ching ↓
Your Turn To Talk
I hope you enjoyed this post and found some of those designs inspiring! Please let us know which ones are your favorites. ;)
Author: Joel Reyes
Joel Reyes is a web designer and developer with years of experience in the industry. He runs a development studio called Looney Designer, a design resource site at GrindSmart.com, and an a free file hosting site for designers, developers and creatives at ShareDen.com.
Derrick Workman says
May 27, 2010 at 11:05 amInteresting post, I would have to say that my favorite is Delicious Library.
Laira says
May 27, 2010 at 12:08 pmWow! This is a pretty big list…. wonderful presentations in different tastes. Thanks for bringing all in one place….
Erick says
May 27, 2010 at 1:23 pmAnyone know of a tutorial on how to make these? I’ve always wanted to know but never found a good explanation. Thanks.
Joel [email protected] says
May 27, 2010 at 5:16 pm@Erick
I’ve never heard of a tutorial specifying how to create an illustrative DMG image, however, if you would like to know how to create your own DMG then something like this (http://el-tramo.be/guides/fancy-dmg) would help…
AEXT.NET MAGAZINE says
May 27, 2010 at 6:52 pmNice post idea!
Nick Burd says
May 27, 2010 at 11:28 pmLMAO.. The adium one is kinda funny…
Great selection.
Thanks
Oleg Krupnov says
May 28, 2010 at 7:30 amHey Joel, we’ve already got a new DaisyDisk DMG design ;) Since we revamped our website design, we also updated the DMG to make it look in the same style. Here’s the picture: http://www.daisydiskapp.com/img/DaisyDiskDMGImage.png
Linh Pham says
May 28, 2010 at 2:50 pmAppZapper one is awesome, lol.
Jarmaine says
May 29, 2010 at 1:22 amI liked TinyGrab and the Delicious Library. A well-designed DMG would make me think, “Hey they even took the trouble to design and be creative with this, that’s great!”
This shows me that they’re serious about what they’re doing. Even taking the time to design it even after they’re sure that users have already downloaded the application. Thanks for the round up!
h1brd says
June 1, 2010 at 9:44 pmnice to see a post with mac specific stuff, i had honestly thought lots of time be4 about these dmg designs and the lack of effort on some of them, gladly they keep improving, or some of them at least :)