I've recently come across an article about Skeuomorphism that peaked my curiosity.
Skeuomorphism: ..."an element of design or structure that serves little or no purpose in the artifact fashioned from the new material but was essential to the object made from the original material"
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skeuomorph
It is a design style that you would be familiar with in the Apple world of apps where these apps look like the real object (Like a REAL calendar or notebook).
Now there is a lot of opinion and strong feelings for - and against Skeuomorphism, but very little data I could find on it's usability or effect on users.
The article, SKEUOMORPHISM & STORYTELLING, where I found this suggests:
"There are some usability benefits with skeuomorphic design that are often touted. In iBooks, for example, Apple makes it obvious by using a book metaphor that you should swipe your finger over the pages to flick to the next page."
It then goes further and states:
"Skeuomorphism is about communcating and reinforcing feelings – getting an application to become a memorable experience, not just a tool. It’s about communicating the purpose of a UI, not only the functions it enables."
On other sources I have found that people don't agree or think that this approach is good as it hinders the UI by getting in the way, it stops innovation and/or design.
Do you know of any research data to support or challenge the use of Skeuomorphic Design in apps?
Remember - I am not looking for an opinion, but rather data to back it up.
Related Articles:
SKEUOMORPHISM & STORYTELLING
UI Guidelines for Skeuomorphic Multi-Touch Interfaces
On Apple’s Skeuomorphic UI Textures
Apple's aesthetic dichotomy
Synthesizer 76 iPad App Shows Delights and Pitfalls of “Skeuomorphic” UI’s
Skeuomorphic Design: What it is, Who uses it, and Why You Need to Know
Closing The Book On Apple's 'Cheesy' GUI Metaphors?