A possible reason for Apple’s continued stay in the land of skeuomorphism
Via Daring Fireball, a couple of app galleries: Android niceties and My Favorite Metro Apps. Android has a reputation for poor, ugly design when it comes to apps, but that’s clearly not the case with these examples, and Metro showcases its slick, modern aesthetic. But one thing struck me about these designs: they all look rather similar, polished, shiny and slick, but they lack character, heart and soul.
I’m a fan of minimal design, and so these information-rich, no-nonsense designs do appeal to me. However, on seeing these apps as a gallery, it makes sense why Apple continues to take a very different route when it comes to interface design, regularly aping real-world items or, at the very least, adding some visual texture to apps. I don’t really like it—iCal on the Mac is, for example, horribly ugly, especially when sat next to the simpler, sleeker Mail—but there’s a certain familiarity and warmth generated by more texture-oriented design that no amount of flat colours, subtle gradients and considered typography will ever bring, no matter how often graphic designers cross their fingers and pray to the god of Pantones.
Hmm. I see your point but I don’t think minimal design has to mean lack of character, heart and soul. I think the above examples while strong and cleanly designed are playing fairly conservatively with the principles of the respective platforms.
I think playful use of type, graphics and colour can add warmth and soul to even very minimal design like with Builds work for the Design Museum Shop for example. Obviously that isn’t UI design but the principles are surely transferable.
I think most of those designs are pretty cold and clinical. Like I said, this is the kind of design aesthetic I prefer. For the most part, Metro looks a hell of a lot nicer than iOS, and those Android apps looks great. So my question is really why Apple is sticking with its skeuomorphism. As I said on Twitter, it could simply be differentiation, but there has to be a reason. Perhaps it’s simply through A/B testing or gut instinct regarding the preferences of non-geeks.
I think those Design Museum Shop designs are clinical but I don’t feel they’re cold.They have a playful child like quality despite refined shapes.
But re Apple I can certainly see there being an easy familiarity with the skeumorphic approach especially for the less techy out there. It could certainly be why the iPhone has opened up the doors to a wider more casual audience engaging in technology and the internet more than we saw with desktops, laptops and netbooks. These are truly personal devices.