Skeuomorphic User Interface Design: What is skeuomorphic user interface design?

<p><strong>What is skeuomorphic user interface design?</strong></p>
<p>By definition a skeuomorph is a derivative object that is designed in such a way as to retain the structure of the original object. As such skeuomorphs tend to feature purely decorative elements that are made to resemble the design or structure of elements that were essential in the original. They can be physical objects but they also have a major role in user interface design, which is getting more and more pronounced with the so-called "post-PC" devices such as the iPad. Apple is very much at the forefront of the Skeuomorphic user interface design approach having made QuickTime 4.0 resemble an actual consumer electronics product over a decade ago complete with a brushed metal look. A storied example from the time was the implementation of a dial to adjust volume just like on a Walkman, for example. This works well when holding a Walkman in the palm of your hand but looses practicality when using a mouse on a GUI. Another great example of skeuomorphic user interface desig
n is with the virtual keyboard of the iPad which features bumps on the F and J keys. These bumps obviously can't be felt when fingering an iPad so have no practical purpose.</p>


<p><strong>What are examples of successful skeuomorphic UI design?</strong></p>
<p>The resurgence of skeuomorphic user interface design as a UI design paradigm owes a lot to the introduction of the iPhone. Native apps such as Notes and Voice recorder all sport skeuomorphic UI designs with the former resembling a notepad and the latter looking like a vintage microphone with an old-school volume dial rather than LED volume meters that are used in modern audio recording equipment. This skeuomorphic user interface design approach is proving to be particularly en vogue amongst audio applications. Jonas Eriksson's 76 Synthesizer features knobs and audio cords that can be inserted into polished brass slots. Just a screenshot of the user interface design makes you want to start playing around with it and lets you know you'll be manipulating sounds. Korg's iMS-20 iPad application (a recreation of the (physical) MS-20 synthesizer) is the same but even includes a musical keyboard and modulation wheel. Admittedly the user interface design is busy and might be overwh
elming for the average user but musicians who have used a similar synthesizer should be able to pick up the iPad app and create right away. The same can't be said about traditional audio workstations where they would have to learn what and where their options are. The same can be said of the Djay app which looks like an actual mixing deck.</p>

<p><strong>What are some pitfalls of skeuomorphic user interface design?</strong></p>
<p>Skeuomorphic user interface designs work well with multi-touch interfaces of tablets which take advantage of our evolution as a species by working intuitively. On the desktop where the input devices are invariably the mouse (or trackpad of some kind) paired with a keyboard the situation becomes a bit more problematic. Previously I mentioned how a volume dial on a computer screen just simply doesn't work as well as on a Walkman in the palm of your hand. The latest iteration of Mac OS X, Lion, features a couple controversial skeuomorphic user interface designs in the shape of the new iCal and Address Book applications. According to Kaishinlab there are 5 major things to look out for when creating skeuomorphic user interface designs:</p>

<strong>Potential False Affordance:</strong> Since skeuomorphic UI designs mimic real world objects users will be inclined to expect that they work accordingly. The new Address Book in Lion looks like an actual book but you can't go through your contacts by turning pages. This discrepancy is bound to cause frustration. This is the UI design version of Tennis' unforced error.
<strong>Visual Noise:</strong> Filling a user interface design with more and more detail might make it more visually interesting but this all adds to the traffic or noise of a UI design. In the end it is just more user interface design elements crying out for attention. The faux stitching in iCal has no added value and even if it weren't there users would not all of a sudden not realize that they are dealing with a calendar app!
<strong>Functional Limitations:</strong> Creating skeuomorphic user interface designs imposes limits due to the fact that you are trying to mimic a distinct look. The new Address Book does away with the practical three-pane user interface design for a new UI design that shows less information and is more cumbersome to use simply because the user interface design team at Apple thought their app would look cuter if it looked like an actual book.
<strong>User Disorientation &amp; Alienation:</strong> This is tied to potential false affordance as users who are used to a standard way of operating a user interface design have to come to grips with alien interactions.

<p>In other words skeuomorphic user interface design is a growing trend but UI designers need to make sure that aesthetics do not trump usability.</p><br><br><br><br><a href="http://iautoblog.com">iAutoblog</a> the premier <a href="http://iautoblog.com">autoblogger</a> software