Realistic and elaborate UI elements weren’t a good fit for websites that thrived on simplicity, clean layout, and straightforward usability. Regardless of the success that Skeuomorphism achieved on these devices, it didn’t find its place on the web. (Image by Deccan Chronicle) ( Large preview)
![outset magazine outset magazine](https://resources.nobleknight.com/catalog/images/0/0/510/1/0/goosebumpsboardout.jpg)
Notice the YouTube app icon in the second row. iPhone OS 1 using Skeuomorphism for app icons. On Apple’s iPhone OS 1, the YouTube app icon is a television instead of the iconic logo we know today! By leveraging this link between the real world and digital world in form of Skeuomorphism, these new devices managed to garner a wide audience right away. Skeuomorphism was used similarly in the early days of smartphones in the mid-2000s to easily onboard new users. For example, delete functionality was represented by a realistic-looking trash can icon. This was achieved with Skeuomorphism which relies on real-world aesthetics to make the UI intuitive and familiar. In the early days of personal computers, the learning curve had to be as soft as possible, so users could easily find their way around the new digital space. ( Large preview) Skeuomorphism And Flat Design ( Large preview) Smashing Magazine features a Flat design, and it makes use of subtle shadows to achieve depth and make these cards more prominent. Although minimalistic by nature, this design approach relies on colors, layout, and typography to represent the brand and make it stand out. Flat design uses colors to establish visual hierarchy and to draw user attention.
![outset magazine outset magazine](https://legionmagazine.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/1812Inset3.jpg)
Visual hierarchy is usually achieved by using color and typography to make the specific elements more prominent. This approach is very utilitarian at its core as it eliminates most decorative elements and features, leaving room only for subtle shadows and gradients to achieve some visual depth and add a floating effect for elements that should sit on top of others. Flat design and its more popular successor, Material design, have been dominating the web UI for quite some time, featuring a minimalistic aesthetic that eliminates visual clutter and favors user experience. Let’s see if there is room for Claymorphism on the UI, and how we can create this effect with CSS.ĭesign trends come and go, and just a fraction sticks around longer than others. This fresh new design trend has been picking up steam with the rising popularity of colorful inflated 3D graphics in web illustrations and with the latest Virtual Reality projects like “Horizon Worlds”.