The Resurgence of Skeuomorphism
Skeuomorphism is a term used to describe interface objects that mimic their real-world counterparts in how they appear and/or how the user can interact with them. When computer interfaces were first introduced, skeuomorphism was very important since it allowed users to easily transition to using digital devices. With new OS patterns, touch screens, minimalism, and flat design, skeuomorphism started to fade in popularity. An example that we see everywhere is the hamburger menu. This didn't exist in the real world before in digital interfaces. It was introduced to conserve space in a confined UI and provide a standardized way to toggle additional settings or navigation.
Besides new OS's, there was a design trend towards minimalism. Minimalism is the use of the fewest and barest essentials to create user experiences. It is about every element and interaction having a proven, refined, and scoped purpose. It was actually due in part to the early days of skeuomorphic design. As interfaces grew increasingly complex, experiences were becoming cluttered and unusable. Skeuomorphism was becoming limiting and inelegant.
Critics of skeuomorphism argue that designers created fluff instead of experiences. Critics argue that we should only adapt necessary real world affordances and styles to a user's experience. Excessive gradients and nuances make for cluttered UI’s that actually make things harder to use. Skeuomorphic design sacrificed ease of use, interface scalability, and navigability. It was difficult to scale a skeuomorphic design because it relied on defined proportions and ratios.
In response to the criticisms, the design community moved towards flatter, more ambiguous and standardized design styles. These were more adept to responsiveness. They could fit on web, tablet, or mobile. Boxes, squares, and flat backgrounds could easily fit in a responsive grid that shifted as screens resized.
Now, with the advent of IoT, smart watches and connected appliances, we have the digitalization of things. New technologies are bringing skeuomorphic design back into the forefront of design thinking. Instead of interacting with a flat surface, like a phone or tablet screen, users are now digitally interacting with more real world objects.
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Modern skeuomorphism, therefore, is the bridge at the intersection of digital and industrial design. It is about facilitating non-traditional device interaction without sacrificing usability. It is about enriching and enlivening real world objects in the context of our human physiology. We also have the rise of augmented and virtual reality. We can now interact with objects in a real world simulation. We can use our hands to touch and feel digital objects, place them on top of surfaces, and experience real world physics in a digital arena.
Skeuomorphism is now the bridge at the intersection of digital and industrial design. It is about facilitating non-traditional device interaction without sacrificing usability. It is about enriching and enlivening real world objects in the context of our human physiology. We can no longer rely on mimicking real world experiences. We must deconstruct our physical interactions to their most basic elements and apply them to our digital interactions.