Skeuomorphism

Skeuomorphism is the design concept/aesthetic of making items resemble their real-world counterparts. Skeuomorphism is mainly used virtually in user interface (UI) and web design. However, non-virtual, Traditional Skeuomorphism can extend to architecture, ceramics and interior design. Skeuomorphism contrasts with Flat Design, a simpler, less detailed graphic style. The word skeuomorph comes from the Greek words skeuos (meaning “container or tool”), and morphḗ (meaning “shape”).
==Visuals==
A skeuomorph (also spelled skiamorph) is a derivative object that retains ornamental design cues (attributes) from structures that were necessary in the original. Skeuomorphs are typically used to make something new feel familiar in an effort to speed understanding and acclimation. It employ elements that, while essential to the original object, serve no pragmatic purpose in the new system. One of the key advantages of Skeuomorphism is that it can help to make digital interfaces feel more natural and intuitive. By mimicking real-world objects and materials, Skeuomorphism can help to reduce the cognitive load on users, making it easier for them to understand how to interact with a digital device. 
===Differences with Frutiger Aero===
Skeuomorphism is often confused with Frutiger Aero because both aesthetics developed around the same era (c. 2004-2013). Skeuomorphism is applied solely to graphics that resemble reality already, or makes use of realistic textures/elements. Examples of this would be an e-reader's virtual wooden bookshelf or a calendar app that resembles a physical planner. Skeuomorphism often contains glossy, shiny, and depth filled 3D design motifs similar to another aesthetic that was popular at the time, Frutiger Aero. Due to this there is a lot of overlap between the two, people often misinterpreting them as the same aesthetic. However, since glossy elements and 3D depth filled designs are not exclusive to any aesthetic, something that could fall under the "Frutiger Aero" umbrella doesn't necessarily have to be Skeuomorphic. 
==Subgenres==
=== Traditional Skeuomorphism ===
Traditional Skeuomorphism refers to any derivative object that retains ornamental design cues (attributes) from structures that were necessary in the original that is outside of the realm of digital designs and aesthetics. Traditional Skeuomorphism isn't a solitary aesthetic in its own right, but rather simply a design style that has existed for hundreds of years.Note: The majority of this article is about "digital" Skeuomorphism as an aesthetic, not Traditional Skeuomorphism as a design concept.
File:Trad skeuo1.jpeg|Electric light bulbs imitating the shape of candle flames
File:Trad skeuo2.jpeg|Pushbutton telephone with imitation rotary dial
File:Trad skeuo3.jpeg|Electric kettle in the form of a traditional stovetop kettle
File:Trad skeuo4.jpeg|Velcro straps on a pair of Mary Jane shoes worn by an American Girl doll; the buckles used on the straps are purely for aesthetic purposes.
=== Glassmorphism ===
Main article: GlassmorphismGlassmorphism, known officially as Fluent Design System, is an aesthetic and UI/UX design theme that combines elements of Flat Design with modern design philosophies. It combines depth, motion, and material to create a seamless user experience, while preserving the clean look and feel Flat Design introduced; it shares similarities with both Flat Design and Frutiger Aero. It has been used in UI design since the Mid-2010s, and some notable examples include Microsoft Fluent Design, which was first introduced in 2017 and is now being used in Windows 11, Bing, and Microsoft Edge UI. Android custom UI/UX, mostly Chinese brands, such as EMUI, ColorOS, and MIUI have also been using this since around 2015-2016. Recently, some Linux distros have also been implementing this design; iOS/macOS have been the first using it since 2013. Glassmorphism/Fluent Design is not a subgenre of Skeuomorphism because they don't have much in common, and breaks the realistic motifs of Skeuomorphism. However, it can be considered an adjacent/heavily related aesthetic. Neumorphism is a subgenre of Glassmorphism as well as Skeuomorphism.
File:Windows 11 Screenshot.png|Windows 11
File:Glassmorph sdd img1.jpg|Glassmorphism 
File:Win11 Fluent .jpg|Flat 10 vs Fluent 11
File:IOS72013Panel.webp|iOS7 Old Panel
File:Bing Windows 11 22h2 Frutiger Aero Glass Neuomorphic .jpg|Windows 11 Panel
File:Fluent WinUI Elements.png|Microsoft Fluent Design
File:Microsoft windows 11 gif.gif|Windows 11 Ad
===Neumorphism===
Main article: NeumorphismNeumorphism, also referred to as Claymorphism, is a design language and Glassmorphism sub-aesthetic that combines elements of Skeuomorphism and Flat Design. It emphasizes soft, rounded shapes, subtle shadows, and gradients. It is often used in UI/UX designs to create a more realistic, natural look and feel. Neumorphism was created in 2019 by independent Figma community designers. Windows 11 and macOS only apply Neumorphism to certain icons but not to their entire UIs. 
File:Vpn neuomorphic.jpg|VPN App
File:Neuomorphic apps.jpg|Neumorphic App 
File:Neomorphism2.png|Neumorphic UX
File:Neuomorphism3 ios,.png|iOS App Store
File:Neuomorphic theme.png|Neuo theme Linux
File:NeoKeyboard.png|Keyboard 
File:Image processing20200204-2698-fckyn8.png|Neumorphism
===Dark Aero===
Main article: Dark AeroDark Aero, also known as Mata Nero or Frutiger Ego, is a sub-genre of Frutiger Aero and Skeuomorphism popular from c. 2006-2015. Dark Aero uses a darker color palette contrasting the depth-filled colorful motifs characteristic of Frutiger Aero. This gave the aesthetic a more simplistic look, which lead to it still being used after Frutiger Aero's decline. Another one of Dark Aero's main signature characteristics is aero glass. Dark Aero can be described as the middle ground between Frutiger Aero and Skeuomorphism due to its Frutiger Aero-esque imagery combined with Skeuomorphism's color palette. Whilst Frutiger Aero was more commonly used for mass market and commercial products, Dark Aero focused on high-end and enterprise-oriented items and services. Dark Aero was also commonly used for for modern tech such as smartphones, computers, TVs, cars, etc.
File:Windows 7 screen black.png|Windows Vista background
File:Dark Aero 1.webp
File:Dark Aero 11.png|Alienware computers logo
File:Windows Longhorn.jpg|Windows Longhorn
File:Dark Aero 5.webp|Windows 10 default background
File:Spotify Skeuomorphism .jpeg
File:L0VpzM.jpg|Alienware UI
File:Dark Aero 6.jpg|Apple graphite background
===Dark Skeuomorphism===
Main article: HoloHolo, also known as Dark Skeuomorphism, is a device theme and Skeuomorphism sub-aesthetic. It was developed by Google in Android versions three to five (five releases) and it was used from 2011-2015. It was used in Honeycomb (2011), Ice Cream Sandwich (2011), Jelly Bean (2012), KitKat (2013), and Lollipop (2014, to a lesser extent). Holo is a subgenre to and very similar to Skeuomorphism due to it's use of depth, texture, shading, and pseudo-3D imagery that attempts to mimic real world objects. This version of Skeuomorphism, however, is more watered down and flatter. Holo's backgrounds can be described as dark, simplistic yet calming due to its "cold" color palette; the most common colors are black, blue, indigo, violet, cyan, and purple. This is normally complimented with see-through abstract patterns or graphical effects.
File:Holo5.png
File:Gul4azab5e411.jpg
File:54823.jpg
File:Holo6.jpg
File:Holo4.png
===Post-Morphism===
Post-Morphism, Also known as Skeuoflatism, Flat Skeuomorphism or alternatively Matte Design, was used during the decline of Skeuomorphism, which marked the transition from saturated realism to a simpler interface design, This design trend was used from 2014-2017. This design trend combines elements of Skeuomorphism and Flat Design. It features a simpler version of Skeuomorphism that doesn't use realistic textures but instead uses a bit of glossy shadows, reflections, subtle gradients and lighting effects. This trend is still being used by several Linux distributions, as well as macOS, iOS, and some Android user interfaces. Post-Morphism is essentially to Skeuomorphism what Frutiger Metro is to Frutiger Aero, both combining elements of Flat Design with their parent-aesthetic.
File:Linux calculator.png|Calculator 
File:Linux android app icons.jpg|App Icons Theme
File:Linux Mint.png|Linux Mint running the Cinnamon Desktop Environment
File:Linux panel mint.jpg|Linux Mint
File:Linux mate.jpg|An unknown linux distro running the MATE Desktop Environment
File:Cinnamon 1.8 Control Center.png|Linux system settings (unknown distro, Cinnamon)
File:Miui-v5-theme-xiaomi.jpg|Xiaomi MIUI
File:Ubuntu linux theme.png|Ubuntu
File:2011youtube.webp|2011 YouTube
File:Skeuomorphism icons Linux android.jpg|Android App Icons
File:Forums.jpg|A common design for forums circa Y2K
==History==
===First Uses (1980s-1990s) ===
Skeuomorphism has its roots in the field of industrial design, where it has long been used to make new products feel more familiar and comfortable to users. However, in the context of user interface (UI) design, the goal is not just to make digital interfaces feel more familiar, but also to make them more intuitive and easy to use. By drawing on the user's existing knowledge of real-world objects and materials, Skeuomorphism can help to reduce the learning curve and make it easier for users to understand how to interact with a digital device.
One of the earliest examples of Skeuomorphism in UI design can be found in the Apple Macintosh 128K. The Macintosh's "desktop" metaphor, which used a virtual desktop complete with icons of real-world objects like documents and trash cans, was heavily influenced by Skeuomorphism.
===Prime (2000s-Early-2010s)===
Skeuomorphism continued to be a popular approach in UI design throughout the 1990s and 2000s, with many software applications and operating systems, such as Microsoft Windows and Apple's Macintosh, incorporating skeuomorphic elements into their design. For example, iOS's address book app uses a leather-bound book as a metaphor for the address book, and the calendar app uses a physical paper-based calendar. This period (c. 2004-2013) is when Skeuomorphism reached its cultural peak. 
===Decline (Early-Mid-2010s)===
Skeuomorphism continued to be widely used up until the very early 2010s. After Windows 8 was released in 2012, it was clear that Skeuomorphism was slowly starting to decline in favor of a more flat design, but the release of iOS 7 in 2013 marked the true death of Skeuomorphism in a lot of people’s eyes. The new design that started being used instead became known as Post-Morphism, which is an aesthetic derived from Skeuomorphism mixed with elements of Flat Design. This replacement was likely due to the critics who argued that skeuomorphic design can be confusing and unnecessary, and that it can actually make digital interfaces less efficient and more difficult to use. Instead, many designers have begun to adopt a more minimalistic approach, focusing on simplicity and functionality over realism known as Flat Design. This was the end of Skeuomorphism's popularity, as it was soon completely replaced by Flat Design in most circumstances.
===Resurgence (2021-present)===
In recent years (c. 2021 onwards), Skeuomorphism has started to make a slight comeback in a more modern and minimalist approach. This new style is known as Neumorphism, and was started by independent UI designers in 2019 in an effort to mix Skeuomorphism with minimalism and flat design. This aesthetic went on to be used partially in Windows 11 (along with Glassmorphism) which was released in 2021.
Since 2022, Skeuomorphism (along with similar aesthetics from the 2000s such as Frutiger Aero) have started coming into public favour again thanks to social media such as TikTok bringing it into the public eye again. This is mainly due to both nostalgia, and people growing tired of the more recent Flat Design and Corporate Memphis aesthetics (the polar opposite of Skeuomorphism).
==Media==
===TV Shows===
Many things below fall into this category because they might: use realistic animation techniques (ex: stop-motion, CGI, etc.), depict the life of a realistic object (ex: toys, plushes, dolls, food, etc.), or make use of realistic textures. Some elements were added by other users and could be considered within this category simply because they developed around the same time, which is the early to mid-2010s.
*Thomas the Tank Engine (1994-2000)
*Pingu (1996-2006)
*Blue's Clues (1996-2010)
*Elmo's World (1998)
*Lazy Town (2004)
*Shaun the Sheep (2007)
*Yo Gabba Gabba! (2007)
* Imagination Movers (2008)
*Masha and the Bear (2009-Present)
*The Twisted Whiskers Show (2010)
*The Amazing World of Gumball (2011-2022)
* Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse (2012-2015)
*Grizzy and the Lemmings (2016)
*Fuzzy Friends (2018-2020)
 File:Mashanandthebearchess.jpg|Masha and the Bear
 File:Screenshot of the Filth, Filth, All Around song.jpeg|alt=A screenshot from The Amazing World of Gumball depicting Teri (a paper bear) dressed up in cutesy clothing and dancing in between two anthropomorphized bacteria.|The Amazing World of Gumball
 File:The amazing world of Gumball.jpg|A screenshot from The Amazing World of Gumball depicting Bobert the robot, a character who himself happens to be an example of the Skeuomorphism aesthetic, being surrounded by many of the show's characters, all of who are sporting hearts on their eyes.|The Amazing World of Gumball
 File:Thomas the tank engine.jpg|Thomas the Tank Engine
 
===Movies=== 
*Muppets (1979-2015)
*Toy Story (1995-2019)
*Chicken Run (2000)
*Wall-E (2008)
* Coraline (2009)
*Despicable Me (2010-2017)
*Rio (2011)
*Wreck-it Ralph (2012)
*The Croods (2013)
*Ted (2012-2015)
*Minions (2015)
*Inside Out (2016)
*Sausage Party (2016)
File:Gingy in school shrek 3 2007.jpg|Shrek 3 Gingy
File:Toy-story-3.jpg|Toy Story 3
File:Coraline .jpg|Coraline
File:Sausage-Party-JPG.jpg|Sausage Party 
===Video Games=== 
*Guitar Hero series (2005-2015)
* Papa's series (2007-2018)
*Microsoft Mahjong (2008-2012)
*Little Big Planet (2008-2014)
*Call of Duty saga (2009-2016)
*Minecraft (2009-present)
*League of Legends (2009-present)
*Blocksworld (2013-2020)
*F1 2011 (2011)
*Uncharted 3 (2011)
* PES (2011-2013)
*GTA V (2013)
* Five Nights at Freddy's (2014)
*Mortal Kombat X (2015)
*Sackboy: A Big Adventure (2020)
=====Mobile Apps===== 
* BuddyPoke (2008)
* Doodle Jump (2009)
*Plants vs. Zombies. game series (2009-2021)
*Angry Birds saga (2009-2022)
*Cut the Rope (2010)
*Fruit Ninja (2010)
*Talking Tom & Friends saga (2010-2022)
*Where's My Water? (2011)
*Jetpack Joyride (2011)
*Dragon City (2011)
*Kick The Buddy (2011)
*Clash of Clans (2012-present)
*Candy Crush saga (2012)
*Cats Away (2012)
*Subway Surfers (2012)
*Clash Royale (2016)
File:Papa's burger.jpg|Papa's Burgeria
File:Game Center app logo.jpg|Game Center app
File:Cut the rope Skeuomorphism .jpeg|Cut the Rope
File:Plants vs Zombies.jpg|Plants vs Zombies
File:Guitar-Hero-Slash.jpg|Guitar Hero
File:Microsoft mahjongs vintage Skeuomorphism .jpeg|Microsoft Mahjong
File:Angry-birds-screenshot-05.jpg|Angry birds
File:Spotify Skeuomorphism .jpeg|GTA V
File:IFruit GTA V.jpg|GTA V iFruit
File:Medieval UX Realistic Vintage.jpg|Vintage Medieval UX 
File:Little Big Planet.jpg|Little Big Planet
File:Fnaf.jpg
File:Dragon City Book vintage.jpg|Dragon Book Dragon City
File:Cats Away.jpg|Cats Away
File:Talking Angela.jpg|Talking Angela
File:Doodle Jump.jpg|Doodle Jump
File:Fruit Ninja.jpg|Fruit Ninja
File:Clash Royale UI-UX Supercell.jpg|Clash Royale Realistic Interface UX, Wood texture, Skeuomorphic
File:Kick the buddy game.png|Kick the Buddy
===Operating Systems=== 
*Apple Macintosh 128K
*Microsoft Windows 98 (1998)
*Linux Distros (2004-Present)
*Nintendo DS (2005)
*Nintendo Wii (2006)
*Microsoft Windows Vista (2007)
*iOS 1-6 (2007-2013)
*Android 1.0-4.4 (2008-2013)
*Mac OS X 10.5-10.9 (2007-2013)
*Microsoft Windows 7 (2009)
====User Interfaces ==== 
*Samsung TouchWiz (2009-2016)
*Xiaomi MIUI (2010-2016)
* Huawei EMUI (2012-2018)
File:Apple Skeuomorphism .jpg|iOS and macOS
File:FY2Bd-jWAAIfHvr.png|iPhone iOS
File:Galaxy note tab , realism .gif|Skeuomorphism, Classic authenticity meets modern technology in vintage-inspired reality simulation.
File:Skeuo-linux2.jpg|Old debian
==Resources==
===Links===
*https://www.reddit.com/r/Skeuomorphism/comments/xcuhvz/kantraa_aka_ualpha012_gd_identified_a_new_style/?rdt=48588 UI designers gave the name "Post-Morphism" for the middle ground between Flat Design and Skeuomorphism
==Gallery==
File:Image 2023-01-20 214352092.png|Skeuomorphic Era
File:Image 2023-01-20 214454630.png
File:Skeuomorphism ux vintage realistic.png|Realistic UX Vintage
File:Image 2023-01-20 214611856.png
File:DisneyXD Skeuomorphism.jpg|Skeuomorphism on Disney XD
File:Android apps 2013.png|Android apps
File:Solitario.jpg|Vintage Solitario
File:Retina theme ios skeuomorphic.png|Retina Theme iOS
File:Skeuo icons .jpg
File:Microphone Skeuomorphism apple android.jpg
File:Androidad.jpg
File:Boxshorts.jpg
File:2012.jpg
File:Wood-video-icon.png
File:DisneyXD Skeuomorphism2.jpg|Skeuomorphism era Disney XD
File:Ubuntu linux 2.jpg
File:Motorola x Skeuomorphism wood.jpg
File:Samsung note 3 leather wood Skeuomorphism .png
File:Motorola wood Skeuomorphism .jpg
File:Apple i-diots.jpg|Apple i-Diots
File:Buttons levers.jpg|Realistic Buttons
File:1-16-sprouts.jpg
File:Old Blocksworld Joystick (2013-2016).png|Old Blocksworld Joystick (2013-2016)
==References==
Category:Bright
Category:Design Aesthetics
Category:Electronic
Category:Ism suffix
Category:Old web
Category:Visual
Category:Web
Category:Youthful
Category:Retro
Category:Futuristic
Category:Nostalgia/Nostalgic
Category:Corporate
Category:Frutiger Family
Category:2000s
Category:2010s
Category:CGI
es:Esqueumorfismo