RealThings

IBM RealThings is a software interface design methodology proposed by IBM in 1998. Instead of using traditional computer-based elements, it proposed that skeuomorphs, i.e. images of physical real-life objects, are used instead . This was aimed to be more "natural and intuitive, allowing users to focus more on their tasks and less on computer artefacts".[1]

As a demonstration IBM created interfaces for a softphone, a media player and an e-reader application titled "RealPhone," "RealCD" and "RealBook", respectively. No actual applications using the design were released.

There were some indications that the examples chosen did not faithfully represent things in real life.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ Mullay (April 1998). "IBM RealThings". CHI 98 conference summary on Human factors in computing systems. ACM Press. pp. 13–14. doi:10.1145/286498.286505. ISBN 1-58113-028-7.
  2. ^ "Metaphor's problems: IBM Real Things series" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 August 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2018.