Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Re: FLAT out loud: Flat Design versus Skeumorphism?

Funny you should mention Apple and iOS7, because they've got some weird things going on with flat design versus skeuomorphism. If I remember correctly, they're abandoning a lot of the shiny, "lickable" style in the icons and such, going for a flatter, matte style. I also seem to recall that they're getting rid of decorative details like the "spine" in the address book. But at the same time, they're adding in new pseudorealistic elements like icons that tilt in simulated 3D when you move the device.

My main problem with skeuomorphic design is that I often want to fight it if it's not perfectly to my taste. I don't necessarily want the style of a 1950s notebook, or a 1990s address book. What if I'd prefer, say, a 17th century ship's log? Why can't I have that, if the differences are purely aesthetic? I'd rather have a purely functional flat design that forces me to take or leave it.

Of course, for my money, the ultimate in flat design is the LCARS interface from Star Trek: The Next Generation. It's the 21st century; why don't more things look like this?

Basic LCARS Design Guidelines
LCARS Standards Development Board

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