User-Interface Design Trends I Skeumorphisam

Skeumorphisam – What Is it Skeuos—vessel or tool, Morphe—shape (Greek) An element of design or structure that serves little or no purpose in the artifact fashioned from the new material, but was essential to the object made from the original material – WikipediaWikipedia A design approach (or style) that relies on imitating the look and functionality of traditional and familiar objects to make the interface more intuitive Popular in apps and websites due to the influence of such Apple applications as Calendar, iBooks and Find My Friends

Example - Calendar

Example - iBook Book Case

Example - Nightstand HD 2 Digital clock

Example – Broun UI components Button Dials and Switches

Example – Image Rotation Control Zipper, Stitching, Texture

Skeumorphisam – Pros Puts the user at ease – non threatening to users because they are familiar with the object from the real world Easy to lean – Knowledge of how to interact with the object in the real world can be used in the digital world Ability to convey a specific atmosphere Good at creating an informal and playful atmosphere

Skeumorphisam – Coms It imitate the limitation that comes with an object – both in terms of design and functionality It places heavy emphasis on aesthetic possibly at the cost of functionality Easy for things to visually go wrong – deviation of the design from what is “natural” can result in an odd sensation Can stifle innovation and creativity

Skeumorphisam - Use For mobile application - are highly popular and well accepted Applications targeted at users that are not comfortable with using modern technology – e.g., older user group

References skeuomorphic-designs skeuomorphic-designs theory/skeuomorphism-in-interface-design theory/skeuomorphism-in-interface-design