Skeuomorists

Skeuomorists refers to designers or proponents of skeuomorphism, a design principle that retains ornamental design cues from the architecture and objects of the past. In digital interfaces, this translates to making digital elements resemble their real-world counterparts. For instance, a digital notepad might be designed to look like a physical pad of paper with a textured cover and a coiled spine, or a button might have shading and depth to mimic a physical push-button. The aim of skeuomorphism is often to make interfaces more intuitive and familiar by leveraging users' existing knowledge of physical objects. This approach was particularly prevalent in the early days of graphical user interfaces, when users were less accustomed to abstract digital representations. Skeuomorphic designs often incorporate details such as shadows, gradients, textures, and three-dimensional effects to enhance realism. Critics of skeuomorphism argue that it can lead to cluttered interfaces, is less efficient for experienced users, and can appear dated as design trends evolve. The term itself is derived from the Greek words "skeuos" meaning vessel or artifact, and "morphe" meaning shape.