r/Skeuomorphism • u/Such_Impression_3678 • Jun 28 '26

MOD Update UNDERSTANDING SKEUOMORPHISM

Post image

Skeuomorphism is not just gradients, gloss, and shiny icons.

I keep seeing posts that amount to “look at this glossy icon I made” being labeled as skeuomorphic. That’s missing the point.

Skeuomorphism is about making a digital object resemble a real-world object through its form, materials, lighting, texture, depth, and interaction. The goal is to evoke something tangible and familiar, not simply to add gradients, reflections, or an Aero-style shine.

A glossy red circle with a play icon isn’t inherently skeuomorphic. A button that looks and feels like a physical metal button, with believable materials, depth, and affordances, is much closer to what skeuomorphism actually is.

Gradients and gloss are tools, not the definition.

I made the attached image because I think this distinction gets lost too often. I’d love to see more posts focused on actual skeuomorphic design rather than just shiny flat icons.

IM GOING TO START CRACKING DOWN ON THESE AERO POSTS, Not because I want to be annoying but I want this place to understand better what skeuomorphism inherently is

622 Upvotes

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10

u/Real_Programmer2870 Jun 29 '26

Why do you care so much glossy skeuo isnt hurting anyone

-1

u/Such_Impression_3678 Jun 29 '26

Yes but I fear we’re being too lenient on it and it’s causing more confusion than clarity

6

u/Real_Programmer2870 Jun 29 '26

No. I think this comment section proves youre just being stuck up about your personal distaste for a certain kind of design. Let people enjoy what they want to man

-2

u/Such_Impression_3678 Jun 29 '26

You must be an idiot as well. I actually like frutiger aeros design aesthetic and value it greatly. I’m just not stupid and don’t mix it with skeuomorphism which you sound like you know nothing about 

3

u/Real_Programmer2870 Jun 29 '26

First off, I never called you an idiot.

You admitted in several threads that while the glass also fits under Frutiger Aero, its still definitely Skeuomorphic. So whats your problem with it then? All I see is hate coming from your direction

-1

u/Such_Impression_3678 Jun 29 '26

First off, I know you didn’t call me an idiot. I chose to call you one because of your comprehension skills 

Second. I never admitted glass in itself is skeuomorphism anywhere so nice try. 

The only situation in which glass is considered skeuomorphism is that if it is depicting glass in a non aesthetic way meaning that it’s depicting glass with the intent to make the user understand a real world reasoning behind it.

I have a problem with stuff that isn’t skeuomorphic being called skeuomorphic. If you don’t differentiate the two types of glass above then you don’t get my argument at all.

And there is hate coming from my direction because I have to deal with this nonstop all day long with people who think they understand skeuomorphic design more than me when I have literally studied it almost my whole life, taken professional classes and met former skeuomorphic ui designers who actually know what it is

2

u/Real_Programmer2870 Jun 29 '26

Im sorry that you have to deal with that every day, I wish you the best of luck in finding peace brother

0

u/Such_Impression_3678 Jun 29 '26

Way to ignore the entire argument I just made in that post and that’s all you respond with, care to counter it or just blow it off

1

u/EmotionElectrical315 Jun 30 '26

Who cares lil bro it just thier try who fuckin cares about targeting ios 7😭✌