Buzz
In 1889, H. Colley March observed that certain ancient artifacts displayed a nostalgic aesthetic, mimicking features of older objects purely for decorative purposes. Bronze axes featured designs reminiscent of flint axes, and pottery bowls bore patterns akin to woven baskets. March introduced the term skeuomorph (SKYOO-uh-morf), derived from the Greek words skéuos (meaning container or tool) and morphḗ (meaning shape), to describe these design echoes. Skeuomorphs, however, aren’t relics of the past—they’re all around us in modern life.
1. Artificial candle lights
From elegant chandeliers to cozy restaurant settings, electric lights designed to mimic the appearance of candles are classic examples of skeuomorphs.
2. Music synthesizers
Electronic synthesizers have the ability to replicate sounds ranging from a piccolo to a double bass, or generate unique electronic tones like beeps, booms, and chimes. While some are minimalist with sliders and knobs, others adopt the appearance of classic instruments such as guitars or piano keyboards, showcasing skeuomorphic design.
3. Automobile wheel spokes
While spokes are essential for wagon and bicycle wheels, car wheels don’t require them. Yet, their inclusion adds a stylish and timeless aesthetic.
4. Woodie cars
The “woodie” cars from the 1930s and ‘40s incorporated wooden passenger compartments that skeuomorphically mirrored the design of horse-drawn carriages. Interestingly, these components were occasionally built by traditional coach-building companies. Later versions with faux wood panels became skeuomorphs of skeuomorphs, adding another layer of nostalgic design.
5. Wooden cash register
Lindsay Zuelich created a handcrafted “antique” cash register for her booth at Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles, a massive crafts market. While the drawers are functional, the device relies on an iPad for calculations and a Square Card Reader for processing payments, blending old-world charm with modern technology.
6. Imitation leather
Whether it’s Pleather, Ultrasuede, or the so-called “hyde” of the mythical Nauga, any form of fake leather qualifies as a genuine skeuomorph.
7. Deleting Files
As computer manufacturers aimed to transition their devices from tech-savvy users to the general public, they introduced skeuomorphic graphical user interfaces to create a sense of familiarity. The sound of crumpling paper, for instance, provides a surprisingly satisfying experience.
8. Saving Files
Chances are, floppy disks are no longer part of your document-saving routine.
9. Shopping cart icon
What better way to visually symbolize the act of collecting items for an online purchase than the universally recognized supermarket cart?
10. Clicks on camera phones
Sounds can also serve as skeuomorphs. While camera phones lack mechanical shutters, the artificial click sound reassures users that a photo has been successfully taken.
11. Old Phone ring tone
Among the diverse array of beeps, chimes, and popular melodies from cell phones, the distinctive brrring! tone reminiscent of a 1930s film remains iconic.
12. Even the phone icon itself
13-16. More Friendly Computers
Apple
Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, had a fondness for the red-curtained “photo booths”...
...contact lists designed to resemble leather-bound address books, and digital versions of yellow legal pads for jotting down notes.
Following his passing, the anti-skeuomorphism advocates at Apple gained the upper hand. With the launch of iOS7 last year, the wood-grain bookshelf design was discarded into the digital trash.
17. Computer tools you manipulate like physical ones
Don’t sound the death knell for skeuomorphs just yet. Carnegie Mellon’s Human Interfaces Group recently unveiled an iPad app that allows users to interact with virtual tools using gestures reminiscent of real-world actions. Users can zoom in on text by manipulating a virtual magnifying glass, highlight content as if using a digital marker, and erase with a lifelike pink eraser.
Moreover, without skeuomorphic design, how else would you visually represent an email application?
All images courtesy of Thinkstock unless otherwise noted.
