The wrong part of the brain
There’s some interesting conversation going on about the value of skeuomorphic UI textures used in Apple-designed user interfaces. John Gruber thinks that some people are “over thinking this” and that the textures are “not designed to help users understand how these apps work. They’re just decoration.”
I agree with John in that I don’t think these designs directly help the user learn how to use the app. However, I think that they have more value than “just decoration”.
Here’s a great quote from Steve Jobs from his biography:
I began to realize that an intuitive understanding and consciousness was more significant than abstract thinking and intellectual logical analysis.
Skeuomorphic UI designs make users feel comfortable. They put the user into a creative, curious mood by easing apprehension that a user might have in learning a new interface. Skeuomorphic UI designs are aimed at the primitive brain, not the analytical, which is why trying to analyze their pedagogical efficacy misses the point.
