Title: Skeuomorphism or flat design: future directions in mobile device User Interface (UI) design education

Authors: Tom Page

Addresses: Loughborough Design School, Loughborough University, Leicestershire LE11 3TU, UK

Abstract: Skeuomorphism in User Interface (UI) design has received much attention and criticism about its usefulness and purpose in the design of smartphone apps. The argument of whether or not skeuomorphism still has a place in UI design is explored in this paper. A questionnaire survey was undertaken by design students to establish their awareness of skeuomorphism and their opinion of its relevance in UI design. The results showed a lack of knowledge about the areas of UI design, but once fully explored they agreed that skeuomorphism is relevant but not as a stand-alone process. However, it has been identified as a design tool that may be used in conjunction with other processes as shown by Google UI design exploring skeuominimalism. They also come to state that they found the research was very useful to them in improving their knowledge on the topic and developing their skill set as a designer.

Keywords: skeuomorphism; flat design; user interface design; mobile devices; user interfaces; design education; smartphone apps.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMLO.2014.062350

International Journal of Mobile Learning and Organisation, 2014 Vol.8 No.2, pp.130 - 142

Received: 26 Oct 2013
Accepted: 22 Feb 2014
Published online: 23 Oct 2014 *

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