skeuomorph

[prettygoodword]

skeuomorph - n., a derivative design element that was originally structural but is now ornamental.


The classic example, repeated by the most common dictionary entries, is imitation metal rivets found on some early pottery -- the inference being, these types of vessels had originally been bronze. Other examples include a hub-cap with non-functional spokes, fake stitching in plastic items that were once stitched together out of leather or vinyl, and the pocket-watch pocket on blue-jeans. Many of these are done to make the new version look familiar, as you can see, and as the last example suggests, a skeuomorph isn't necessarily non-functional. From Greek skeuos, vessel or implement + morphe, shape -- the same of the vessel.

---L.

Comments

[packbat.livejournal.com]

Example I always heard was the carvings of wooden beams on the ceilings of/entrances to cave monasteries, but the point about the watch pocket is a good one.