Even though several people consider flat design to be the next best thing in web design, there’s no doubt that with skeuomorphic design, these two styles are indeed the biggest styles in 2013.
However, in order to distinguish between the two styles, one needs to understand what each of these styles are.
Flat design, by simple definition, is anything but three dimensional in nature with Windows 8 being the perfect example. Also, flat design does not make use of shadows, bevels or gradients to simulate three dimensional design.
For all practical purposes, it is perceived by many to be an honest approach to screen design, which is two dimensional in nature. Yet it must be pointed out that flat design isn’t new by any means as websites like Facebook and Google have used it for several years now.
On the other hand, skeuomorphic design pertains to features that are added to modern day computer applications which serve little or no purpose but were integral to the original material on which the application is based. For example, if you look at Apple’s iPad Notes application which has a leather strip and yellow ruled legal paper or even torn-off page edges.
So, in making a comparison, one can’t help but ask the question: why take away elements that make an application familiar to the older user, such as the iPad Notes application, who might be more familiar with a real notepad.
And while the debate rages on, as to which approach is best, it’s a good idea for designers to ask themselves who they are serving, when creating an application, and with that insight, approach the task using either of these styles.
