After years of flat design dominance, skeuomorphic elements are returning in refined forms — sometimes called "new skeuomorphism" or neumorphism. Modern takes are more subtle, using realistic materials selectively rather than as a wholesale interface philosophy, blending physical textures with clean digital layouts.
Skeuomorphism provides strong affordances — users intuitively understand how to interact with elements that look like physical objects. However, it can feel dated if overdone, requires significantly more detailed visual assets, and may not scale well across different screen sizes and densities.