The Importance of Skeuomorphism

Skeuomorphism as a physical object, “is an ornamental version of something that was, in an earlier version of the product, a functional necessity.” Fake candles in a chandelier or faux wood grain on linoleum are examples of this idea in a physical sense. I was really interested in finding out more about this concept because of the modern example of this word coming, in my experience, from Apple. Some of us, including myself, lived through the time when iPhones’ UI took advantage of this design aesthetic. On the iPhone the “phone” is represented by an icon that resembles a home phone and paper is given a paper texture with lines for writing across. I found that skeuomorphism is actually an important aspect for identifying early human traits and interactions for archeologists using the pottery created during their time. It’s almost like skeuomorphism is a cousin to symbols and icons in the way that they are essentially metaphors that represent everyday life of various cultures. Skeuomorphism can be telling of how trade may have taken place or who was trading with who through the adopted designs and materials. The designs and purposes of metal and glass pottery were adopted by certain cultures and made with clay instead, and with this example you may be thinking, “so it’s a cheaper version?” And in a way I think it is. But that doesn’t mean skeuomorphism is bad, like in this article, Pogue explains that skeuomorphism was used in the 80’s in order to make it easier for people learning to use computers. The concept of using metaphors as a way to communicate is huge in design and as we learned already, humans have been communicating through metaphors since they could start drawing!

Although Apple has already ditched most of their skeuomorphic designs some depictions are strong enough to still be in use today; from the phone icon, to the clock, up to the fake shutter for the camera. With Apples current UI I can’t help but wish for something different. The flat design is SO boring I am constantly hoping for another overhaul like we had with iOS7. I want to see 3D shapes again! Plus we should think what these designs are going to communicate about us now, to people in the future.

Journal: Pogue, David. “Out with the Real.” Scientific American, vol. 308, no. 2, 2013, pp. 29–29. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/26017948. Accessed 10 Sept. 2020.

P.S.

Here are some really cool sources I found that explain the past versions of Skeuomorphism. All of these are good, however some are a bit heavier to read. My favorite was the journal about Celtic basket weaving!

Bibliography

Trump, D. H. “Excavation at La Starza, Ariano Irpino.” Papers of the British School at Rome, vol. 31, 1963, pp. 1–32. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/40310635. Accessed 10 Sept. 2020.

– Neolithic pottery and excavation.

Macalister, R. A. S. “Celtic Ireland.” The Irish Monthly, vol. 47, no. 555, 1919, pp. 499–503. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/20505374. Accessed 10 Sept. 2020.

– Celtic design as skeuomorphism. Rules of Celtic weaving. Celtic weaving and its influence on design in other cultures.

Manzo, Andrea. “SKEUOMORPHISM IN MEROITIC POTTERY. A TENTATIVE INTERPRETATIVE APPROACH.” Rivista Degli Studi Orientali, vol. 85, no. 1/4, 2012, pp. 339–372. Nuova Serie, www.jstor.org/stable/43927158. Accessed 10 Sept. 2020.

– Meroitic pottery is influenced by glass and metal pottery from the Mediterranean; features embellishments, shapes, and features mostly seen in pottery using other materials. 

Wengrow, David. “The Evolution of Simplicity: Aesthetic Labour and Social Change in the Neolithic Near East.” World Archaeology, vol. 33, no. 2, 2001, pp. 168–188. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/827897. Accessed 10 Sept. 2020.

– Transition from a simple to complex society and how that affects the use of aesthetics. Examples of pottery production in the Neolithic Near East. Aesthetic as something for the socially elite.

Sherratt, Andrew. “Gordon Childe: Paradigms and Patterns in Prehistory.” Australian Archaeology, no. 30, 1990, pp. 3–13. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/40286976. Accessed 10 Sept. 2020.

– Metaphors as a way to learn and think for Prehistorians. Influences from different cultures and places show potential links to understanding.