Is skeuomorphism making a comeback for XR?
The floppy disk lives on as a relic, an icon that serves a function far removed from its original form.
It's a testament to skeuomorphism, the design practice that once bridged the gap between the physical and the digital. Buttons had shadows, textures mimicked real materials and familiarity was the guiding principle.
Then came flat design, a revolution in minimalism. Out with gradients, in with crisp lines and a focus on pure function. Skeuomorphism was outdated and deemed a distraction from the core function. Yet, design is never a straight line.
Extended Reality (XR) forces us to reconsider. In a world where the digital and physical blend seamlessly, visual cues become essential for intuitive navigation. Can skeuomorphism, modernized and refined, provide the depth and tactility needed for XR interfaces? Or will flat design's simplicity still reign supreme?
The floppy disk icon evolved from literal to stylized, a testament to the concept's staying power. This evolution suggests a potential for a new era of skeuomorphism, created by the unique demands of XR. Design, at its core, is how we make sense of the world. In the realm of XR, the tools for building that understanding must still be mapped.
