Suggest device flipping also (especially multi-screen multi-side devices), but mostly rotating the virtual space to see the other side of an object. On-screen gesture, kinesthetic gestures, etc. ALSO all other 3D effects, like cube displays, etc. Find mobile equivalent of Fast User Switching on mac, and other weird 3D ways of getting to more data. Moving things out of the way, looking around or to the side of an object, etc.

Problem

Display a small amount of directly related information, provide access to related controls or settings, or provide an alternative view of the same information, in an organic manner.

Solution

Use Simulated 3D Effects to pretend components on the page, or even the whole page, merely presents one side of a physical object. Rotating the object, moving it aside, or looking past it, can then be used

Note that this is labeled as "Simulated" as it does not require actual 3D display technology. Some display methods can even be simulated without particularly involved graphics processors. If the pattern seems useful for your design, investigate ways to accommodate it with the technology available.

This pattern works best when direct manipulation of the screen or the device is used. It will rarely work well on scroll-and-select devices without accelerometers.

Variations

For most methods of using Simulated 3D Effects, either on-screen gestures or whole-device (usually, accelerometer-driven) gestures may be used. Elements

THREE TYPES ABOVE...

screen or device movement...

Interaction Details

The user must be able to interact directly...

MAY NEED TO BLOCK INTERACTION WITH THE OBJECTS OR USE CAREFUL GESUTRES TO KEEP INTERFERING...

Presentation Details

Must look 3D, even when closed...

FF...

Antipatterns

Avoid using secondary interactive methods to change the on-page elements.

Examples