Skeuomorphism – We don’t need it!
Skeuomorphism is a UI treatment that resembles its real-world counterparts. This style was popular in early iPhone Apps.
For example, the Notes App had a background that looked like a yellow legal pad with leather bounding. While the design aesthetic appeared ornamental, it served the purpose of teaching users, who had never used a smartphone, what type of functionality to expect.
However, as users became more familiar with apps they began to recognize cues and have set expectations. The trend of skeuomorphism faded away. These design elements became purely ornamental, less intuitive, and time-consuming to use. And let’s be honest, no longer cool.
Skeuomorphism wasn’t just a design treatment, it was an interaction paradigm. For example, the turning of a dial, the flipping of a light switch, and flipping of a page. Yet these meta-physical interactions linger.
It’s time we phase them out for the simplicity of the tap. The swipe to turn a page is a time-consuming gesture, resource-heavy, and no longer serves a purpose. I’m looking at you, DECODE tech team. Get rid of it! Tap to swipe is all you need.
WORDS BY
EXPERIENCE STRATEGY DIRECTOR
LAURENCE ADRIAN