Second in annoyance only to the spinning beach ball of death (or the hour glass for PC users), the progress bar is one of the oldest yet most common graphic elements for computer users.
Its presence tells us to wait, have patience while the programme is loading.
It might get your blood up but it was introduced in 1985 as a form of reassurance: people are happier to wait if they’re given a specific timeframe.
Now the progress bar has been turned into art. Swedish graphic designer Viktor Hertz has transformed the drab icon into a light saber, cigarette, swimming pool and chunk of chocolate, all of which are available as prints, t-shirts and laptop skins.
