{{Short description|UI design style}} {{Confuse|Neomorphism}} thumb|Examples of neumorphism '''Neumorphism''' is a design style used in graphical user interfaces. It is commonly identified by a soft and light look (for which it is sometimes referred to as '''soft UI''')<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=The rise and fall of neumorphism {{!}} Webflow Blog |url=https://webflow.com/blog/neumorphism |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=Webflow |language=en}}</ref> with elements that appear to protrude from or dent into the background rather than float on top of it.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=The New Trend in UI Design: an Overview of Neumorphism |url=https://www.toptal.com/designers/ui/neumorphic-ui-design |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=Toptal Design Blog |language=en}}</ref> It is sometimes considered a medium between skeuomorphism and flat design.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Neumorphism: why it's all the hype in UI design |url=https://www.justinmind.com/ui-design/neumorphism |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=www.justinmind.com}}</ref>
== History == The term ''neumorphism'' was coined by Jason Kelly in 2019 as a portmanteau of ''neo'' and ''skeuomorphism,'' emphasizing its role as a semi-revival of skeuomorphism.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sanil |date=2020-04-21 |title=Why Neumorphism is different from the other design trends? |url=https://uxplanet.org/why-neumorphism-is-different-from-the-other-design-trends-efe40571b6b |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=Medium |language=en}}</ref> Many neumorphic design concepts can be traced to Alexander Plyuto, who created a mockup for a banking app showing various elements of neumorphic design. He posted it to the website Dribbble, where it quickly blew up to 3,000 views.<ref name=":0" />
Before the style gained widespread attention, proto-design elements resembling neumorphism and glassmorphism appeared in consumer products such as Huawei's HarmonyOS interface for the Honor Vision smart TV, launched in August 2019.<ref name="HarmonyOS Launch">{{cite web |last1=Sarkar |first1=Amy |title=Huawei’s HarmonyOS launches on its Honor Vision smart TV |url=https://www.pocket-lint.com/tv/news/huawei/149172-huawei-honor-vision-smart-tv-screen-launch/ |website=Pocket-lint |date=10 August 2019 |access-date=18 March 2026}}</ref> The interface utilized homogeneous backgrounds with soft light and shadows to create a sense of depth,<ref name="IF UI">{{cite web |title=Honor Vision UI / Smart TV Interface Design |url=https://ifdesign.com/en/winner-ranking/project/honor-vision-ui/266556 |website=iF World Design Guide |access-date=18 March 2026}}</ref> a concept recognized by the iF Design Award in 2020.<ref name="IF HONOR">{{cite web |title=Honor Vision Pro - Smart TV (2019) |url=https://ifdesign.com/en/winner-ranking/project/honor-vision-pro/266555 |website=iF World Design Guide |access-date=18 March 2026}}</ref> This design language evolved into the HarmonyOS 2 Design System, which in 2021 received a Red Dot Design Award for its consistent, lively user interface across multiple devices.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mishra |first=Yash |date=2021-09-03 |title=Huawei HarmonyOS UI and Smart Features wins Red Dot Design Award 2021 |url=https://www.huaweicentral.com/huawei-harmonyos-ui-and-smart-features-wins-red-dot-design-award-2021/ |access-date=2026-03-18 |website=Huawei Central |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2026, the continued evolution of this design philosophy was recognized again when HarmonyOS received another iF Design Award for its "user-friendly UI experience" and "profound experience in the field of intelligent device interaction design."<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2026-03-10 |title=Huawei HarmonyOS wins global award for user-friendly UI experience |url=https://www.huaweicentral.com/huawei-harmonyos-wins-global-award-for-user-friendly-ui-experience/ |access-date=2026-03-18 |website=Huawei Central |language=en-US}}</ref>
On November 12, 2020, Apple released macOS Big Sur. The update included graphical designs that featured neumorphism prominently, such as the app icons and use of translucency,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Koloskus |first=Jack |title=Apple, Big Sur, and the rise of Neumorphism |url=https://www.inputmag.com/design/apple-macos-big-sur-the-rise-of-neumorphism |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=Input |date=25 June 2020 |language=en}}</ref> although Apple did not adopt neumorphism entirely. However this design is more closer to the related style called glassmorphism.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=uxplanet.org |date=2025-01-06 |title=The Rise and Fall of Neumorphism |url=https://uxplanet.org/the-rise-and-fall-of-neumorphism-613795fc6f8d |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=Medium |language=en}}</ref>
== Characteristics and purpose == Neumorphism is a form of minimalism characterized by a soft and light look, often using pastel colors with low contrast. Elements are usually the same color as the background, and are only distinguished by shadows and highlights surrounding the element. This gives the elements the appearance that they are "protruding" from the background, or that they are dented into it.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />
Designers may like the look and feel of neumorphism because it provides a middle ground between skeuomorphism and flat design. Specifically, it aims to look plausibly realistic, while still looking clean and adhering to minimalism.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nanduri |first=Dheeraj |date=March 25, 2021 |title=Neumorphism and what it means |url=https://medium.com/throughdesign/neumorphism-and-what-it-means-27c23da8576e |access-date=August 26, 2022 |website=medium.com}}</ref>
== Criticism == Neumorphism has received criticism from UI designers, notably for its lack of accessibility, difficulty in implementation,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Malewicz |first=Michał |title=Neumorphism in user interfaces {{!}} Hype4Academy |url=https://hype4.academy/articles/design/neumorphism-in-user-interfaces |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=Hype4 Academy |language=en}}</ref> low contrast, and incompatibility with certain brands.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Meir |first=Dana |date=2020-10-27 |title=What Is Neumorphism in UI and Is It Here to Stay? |url=https://www.editorx.com/shaping-design/article/neumorphism-ui |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628094635/https://www.editorx.com/shaping-design/article/neumorphism-ui |archive-date=2022-06-28 |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=Shaping Design Blog |language=en}}</ref> Partly because of these accessibility issues, takeup of neumorphism by designers had quickly declined by 2021, instead glassmorphism has emerged as a popular aesthetic in the early and mid 2020s.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Neumorphism: Its rise and fall in UI design {{!}} Webflow Blog |url=https://webflow.com/blog/neumorphism |access-date=2025-11-05 |website=Webflow |language=en}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
== See also ==
* Aero (user interface) * Aqua (user interface) * Liquid Glass
Category:Design Category:Graphical user interfaces Category:2019 neologisms