Is the Future with Skeuomorphism?

Flickr photo by WiLL.i.AM777

The future of the movie, Back to Future, is supposed to happen in two years, and we are nowhere near having flying cars and hoverboards. This is quite disappointing. Seeing this movie as a kid gave me high hopes for great advances in technology.

We have come a long way since 1985. However, the latest debate over skeuomorphism makes me wonder if we are holding ourselves back in order to ease the masses into using new gadgets and devices.

Could we be doing more?

What is Skeuomorphism

A concept promoted by the initial desktop GUI (graphical user interface) and the major design concept for the iPhone and iPad, skeuomorphism is the replication of real world objects into a digital design.

Examples:

• Voice memo app look like a microphone.
• Bongos look like bongos.

  

One School of Thought

The initial thought behind skeuomorphism is to make technology user-friendly. Graphic and digital designers spend a great deal of time making their graphics look real. Even though they are doing their jobs, this is no longer thinking outside the box. They’re simply replicating the box.

For our generation, having used any of these objects in the real world is irrelevant. We know what an actual address book looks like because of the app design. And, we know that it’s an address book because of the information that we are allowed to enter. Input fields for a name, phone number, and email address are pretty obvious indicators.

Even with an aging population, it is safe to say that we have a firm grasp on understanding technology. We need the innovative designs to take us into the future.

Impress with iOS

The gap between the physical world and the digital world has been bridged. So, it’s time to take the training wheels off of digital design. Apple will need to get really creative and innovative in order to impress us for their next iPhone or iOS rollout.

I happily admit that I am still hanging on to iPhone 3GS. The iPhone 5 is bigger, but overall, it doesn’t impress me.

The flat design of the Windows Phone operating system, however, is quite intriguing. It will be interesting to see how this concept will develop.

Could this be the change for our future? Or is it too different and too soon for us to adapt?

Flickr photo by ??o?i?die?

OUTATIME

This is merely an overview about skeuomorphism. Along with being a big word, it is a big topic in the technology design world - Flat design vs. skeuomorphism.

Ultimately, time will tell if we still need to be impressed with the shiny new toy that looks like a toy or a functional, innovative object.