Don't forget, the material design specifications and frameworks are being made freely available. When you compare interfaces designed by that vast majority of developers, using MD is an enormous step up in usability and functionality. It also incorporates concepts that, while not being the most "accessible", are patterns the vast majority of users have become familiar with and can navigate without explanation. For example, interactions like gestures are not accessible or obvious but are commonplace and understood.
Constructive criticism of design is important and with these frameworks being open source, we can modify and "improve" as we see as appropriate. Google has invested enormous amounts of money, energy, and time into making this available for free. They are not enforcing these concepts, even on their own platforms so we should appreciate that they make these systems available if you choose to use them.
Constructive criticism of design is important and with these frameworks being open source, we can modify and "improve" as we see as appropriate. Google has invested enormous amounts of money, energy, and time into making this available for free. They are not enforcing these concepts, even on their own platforms so we should appreciate that they make these systems available if you choose to use them.