The Wildcard of UX Design: Skeuomorphism
Skeuomorphism
Is it a dinosaur? Or maybe a disease?
Nope, it is actually a design concept that has been used for centuries. It has become yet again, increasingly popular in recent years, especially in the field of user interface design.
Skeuomorphism is a design approach that involves making digital or physical objects resemble other objects or materials that have different purposes or functionalities.
The concept is often used to make new technologies more familiar and user-friendly to people who are used to interacting with traditional, physical objects.
The END.
If you wanted the long-story-short version, that is.
Still here, huh ❤
Have some time on your hand? You may want to check out the backstory:
The word “skeuomorphism” originates from the Greek words “skeuos,” meaning “vessel” or “tool,” and “morphe,” meaning “form” or “shape”.
A term that was first used in the field of archaeology, it described objects that retained design elements from their original purpose, even when that purpose was no longer necessary.
For instance, a decorative seam on a metal pot was originally used to join two pieces of metal together, even though modern technology would make that seam unnecessary.
In the world of design, skeuomorphism involves using design elements from physical objects to create digital or physical interfaces.
You must have come across them yourselves, multiple times even!
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Many digital calendars are designed to look like paper calendars, with pages that can be flipped and images of paper edges that simulate a real-life object.
Similarly, the design of some digital bookshelves includes wooden bookshelves with book covers, providing a sense of familiarity and comfort to users.
Skeuomorphism can be a great tool in making new technologies more accessible to users, especially those who may not be comfortable with the digital environment.
A music player that looks like a traditional radio or record player may be more intuitive to use for someone who grew up using those devices, even if the technology behind it is completely different — don’t you think?
However, Skeuomorphism can also be seen as outdated or unnecessary in some cases.
Many designers today prefer a more minimalistic and functional design approach that focuses on simplicity and usability over visual similarity to physical objects.
This approach is known as “flat design”, and it often relies on simple shapes, colors, and typography to create interfaces that are easy to navigate and use.
As you already know by now, skeuomorphism is a design concept that has been used for centuries to make new objects more familiar to users by incorporating design elements from traditional objects.
And...
There’s one company that’s outperformed in using this design concept- it’s none other than the big boss- Apple. The company has been nothing but impressive in its use of skeuomorphism to ensure ease and comfort for the users of their products.
Apple’s use of skeuomorphism has been successful in creating a distinctive visual style and branding for its products. The use of realistic textures and graphics in Apple’s software design has helped to establish a sense of quality and attention to detail that is often associated with its products.
Not only that, but Apple’s skeuomorphic design has also helped to create a seamless user experience, where the transition from physical to digital objects is almost unnoticeable.
Smooth move, Apple
Example time!
The design of the Notes app as a yellow legal pad helps users quickly understand the purpose and functionality of the app. Similarly, the Contacts app was designed to resemble a leather-bound address book, complete with faux-stitched edges and textured pages. Notable also is the iBooks app, which was designed to look like a physical bookshelf, complete with wooden shelves and book spines.
Overall
While Apple’s move away from skeuomorphic design may have been influenced by changing design trends and preferences, the company’s use of skeuomorphism in its earlier software designs of iOS and macOS, totally played an important role in establishing the Apple brand and user experience.
Straightforward and clean- don’t you love this design concept?
If you are up for some experimenting, you’re in for a treat. The use of this design approach (which incorporates elements from the physical world into digital interfaces) has got lots of potential benefits:
Familiarity: By incorporating familiar physical elements, skeuomorphic design can make digital interfaces more intuitive and easier to use for people who are accustomed to interacting with physical objects.
Emotional appeal: Skeuomorphic design can create an emotional connection with users by evoking positive associations with physical objects, such as warmth, comfort, or nostalgia.
Clarity: Skeuomorphic design can provide visual cues that help users understand how to interact with digital interfaces more easily, such as buttons that look like physical switches or sliders.
Differentiation: In a world where many digital interfaces look similar, skeuomorphic design can help products stand out by creating a unique and memorable visual identity.
Accessibility: Skeuomorphic design can make digital interfaces more accessible to people with disabilities by providing visual and tactile cues that help users navigate and interact with interfaces more easily.
Knowing both the pros as well as cons always does help to make better design decisions.
So here we go:
Despite its several advantages, skeuomorphic design also has some drawbacks you’d need to consider:
Limited flexibility: Skeuomorphic design is based on physical objects, which may limit its flexibility and adaptability to different contexts or devices.
Inefficiency: Skeuomorphic design can add unnecessary complexity to digital interfaces, which can make them slower and more difficult to use. For example, a skeuomorphic interface that mimics a physical bookshelf may be visually appealing, but it may also make it harder for users to find the information they need.
Inconsistency: Skeuomorphic design can create inconsistencies between different digital interfaces, which can confuse users who are accustomed to a consistent visual language across different devices and platforms.
Trendiness: Skeuomorphic design can quickly become outdated as design trends and user expectations change. For example, a skeuomorphic interface that mimics a physical calculator may look outdated as users increasingly expect digital calculators to be more streamlined and minimalist.
Accessibility: While skeuomorphic design can make digital interfaces more accessible to some users, it may also create barriers for others, such as users with cognitive or visual impairments who may have difficulty understanding the visual metaphors used in skeuomorphic interfaces.
In conclusion, Skeuomorphic design might create inconsistencies, and accessibility challenges that designers need to consider when creating digital interfaces, but when done right, are visually appealing, familiar, and helps create more user-friendly and engaging digital interfaces that appeal to a wide range of users.
A big shout out to my co-author- Aalia Hassan
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