{"id":66,"date":"2016-01-24T13:59:30","date_gmt":"2016-01-24T21:59:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/amjensen\/?p=66"},"modified":"2016-01-24T14:06:20","modified_gmt":"2016-01-24T22:06:20","slug":"three-definitions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/amjensen\/2016\/01\/24\/three-definitions\/","title":{"rendered":"Skeuomorph – Three Definitions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/strong>
\nThe assignment\u2019s objective is to gain skills in technical writing by composing three definitions of a relatively complex term for an audience with no previous knowledge in the area. The three types of definitions are parenthetical, sentence, and expanded.<\/p>\n

For the assignment, I have chosen to define \u201cSkeuomorph\u201d, which is a term used frequently in the world of iOS Development. However, for a lay person, though they may have interacted with many objects that display skeuomorphic design elements, they most likely are unaware the term exists. I will therefore, target these people when defining skeuomorph.<\/p>\n

Parenthetical Definition<\/strong>
\nSkeuomorph (the aesthetic of using an imitative design element, taken from a traditional object, and applied to an iteration of that object in a new form or material) is an ornamentation device that can also be used to help humans correctly interact with a new object.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sentence Definition<\/strong>
\nSkeuomorph is a derivative design element retained from one object as that object transitions into a new form or material.<\/span><\/p>\n

Expanded Definition
\n<\/strong>What it is<\/span><\/em>
\n<\/span>Skeuomorph, derived from Greek with <\/span>Skeuos<\/span><\/i> meaning \u2018container\u2019 and <\/span>morph<\/span><\/i> meaning \u2018shape\u2019 or \u2018form\u2019, \u00a0is a derivative design element retained from one object as that object transitions into a new form or material. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How it developed<\/span><\/em>
\n<\/span>The term dates back to at least the 1890s when it was used to describe the mimicking of \u2018rivets\u2019, originally \u00a0found on Minoan silver cups, but now transferred to Minoan ceramic cups through the use of repeated small balls of clay; imitating silverwork ornamentation. Today, however, the term is more often applied to design elements found in computer and mobile graphical user interfaces. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"fig

fig 1. Apple\u2019s use of skeuomorph in iBooks\u2019 graphical user interface displaying ebooks on a \u201cbookshelf\u201d.<\/p><\/div>\n

How it is used<\/span><\/em>
\n<\/span>Skeuomorph\u2019s popularity in graphical user interfaces makes sense as it tries to emulate the look and feel of physical objects to help users transition from the physical to the digital world with ease. \u00a0Some examples of high degree skeuomorph can be found in audio software whose graphical interfaces display knobs, switches and dials and in some cases, even ventilation holes. \u00a0A good aural skeuomorph example is the sound of the shutter-click, heard when taking a picture with a shutter-less smartphone or digital camera. \u00a0Other less obvious skeuomorph constructs that help users navigate the digital world are the conceptual and iconic representations of files in folders, emails in mailboxes and ebooks on bookshelves.<\/span><\/p>\n

Comparison
\n<\/span><\/em>The term skeuomorph has recently become more widely known through Apple\u2019s public debate over skeuomorphic elements in its software. \u00a0Its founder and CEO, Steve Jobs, was a big advocate for skeuomorphic elements but since his death in 2013, Apple has moved away from this trend in favour of more simplified \u2018flat\u2019 design championed by Apple designer Jonathan Ive. \u00a0This change in Apple\u2019s software was heralded in with iOS 7 and with it began the \u201cdeath of skeuomorphism\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"fig

fig 2. An example of Apple\u2019s transition away from skeuomorphic to flat design demonstrated in its calculator app. The iOS 6 calculator (on the left) shows skeuomorphic elements by representing a digital calculator as though it were a physical calculator, through the use of shadow and light properties found on the buttons and the green color of the calculator\u2019s display. These properties give the buttons a 3-D quality and the display\u2019s green color imitates the LCD displays of physical calculators. The flat iOS 7 design (on the right) on the other hand, strips all of these ornamental elements away, leaving only the functionality of the calculator.<\/p><\/div>\n

Link to document of posting:\u00a0Skeuomorph – Three Definitions<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sources
\n<\/strong>Basalla, George. The Evolution of Technology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1988.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Judah, Sam. “What Is Skeumorphism.” BBC News Magazine. BBC, 13 June 2013. Web.<\/span><\/p>\n

Solis, Brian. X: The Experience when Business Meets Design. Hoboken: Wiley, 2015. Web.<\/span><\/p>\n

Definition of Skeuomorph in English:”Skeuomorph\u201d. Oxford Dictionary, n.d. Web. 24 Jan. 2016.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Skeuomorph.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 24 Jan. 2016.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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