diff --git a/src/app/globals.css b/src/app/globals.css
index 2f27ce261..1ca9f7ae8 100644
--- a/src/app/globals.css
+++ b/src/app/globals.css
@@ -23,6 +23,13 @@
   --error-bg: #fee2e2;
   --error-border: #fca5a5;
   --error-hover: #fecaca;
+  --neo-bg: #eceff5;
+  --neo-hi: rgba(255, 255, 255, 1);
+  --neo-lo: rgba(150, 165, 190, 0.8);
+  --skeu-top: #f8fafc;
+  --skeu-bottom: #cfd6e0;
+  --skeu-edge: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9);
+  --skeu-cut: rgba(15, 23, 42, 0.25);
 }
 
 /* ── Dark mode tokens ── */
@@ -42,6 +49,13 @@
   --error-bg: #7f1d1d;
   --error-border: #991b1b;
   --error-hover: #991b1b;
+  --neo-bg: #242836;
+  --neo-hi: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.09);
+  --neo-lo: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8);
+  --skeu-top: #2b3042;
+  --skeu-bottom: #141722;
+  --skeu-edge: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.12);
+  --skeu-cut: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7);
 }
 
 /* ── High contrast mode tokens ── */
@@ -64,6 +78,13 @@
 
   --film-600: #FF6666;
   --film-400: #66FF66;
+  --neo-bg: #000000;
+  --neo-hi: transparent;
+  --neo-lo: transparent;
+  --skeu-top: #000000;
+  --skeu-bottom: #000000;
+  --skeu-edge: transparent;
+  --skeu-cut: transparent;
 }
 
 /* Ensure export overlay text is readable in high-contrast by forcing dark text */
@@ -98,7 +119,7 @@ html {
 body {
   margin: 0;
   min-height: 100vh;
-  background-color: var(--bg);
+  background-color: var(--neo-bg);
   color: var(--text);
   line-height: 1.6;
   transition: background-color 0.3s ease, color 0.3s ease;
@@ -140,6 +161,14 @@ textarea {
   color: var(--text);
 }
 
+input:not([type="range"]):not([type="checkbox"]):not([type="radio"]):not([type="color"]):not([type="file"]),
+select,
+textarea {
+  background: var(--neo-bg);
+  border-color: transparent;
+  box-shadow: inset 3px 3px 7px var(--neo-lo), inset -3px -3px 7px var(--neo-hi);
+}
+
 input:focus,
 select:focus,
 textarea:focus {
@@ -168,4 +197,102 @@ detail > summary {
 }
 details > summary::-webkit-details-marker {
   display: none;
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
+
+/* ── Neomorphism + skeuomorphism ── */
+.neo-raised {
+  background: var(--neo-bg);
+  border: 1px solid transparent;
+  box-shadow: 12px 12px 26px var(--neo-lo), -12px -12px 26px var(--neo-hi);
+}
+
+.neo-inset {
+  background: var(--neo-bg);
+  border: 1px solid transparent;
+  box-shadow: inset 6px 6px 12px var(--neo-lo), inset -6px -6px 12px var(--neo-hi);
+}
+
+.neo-pressable {
+  background: var(--neo-bg);
+  box-shadow: 6px 6px 13px var(--neo-lo), -6px -6px 13px var(--neo-hi);
+  transition: box-shadow 0.2s ease, transform 0.2s ease;
+}
+.neo-pressable:hover { transform: translateY(-1px); }
+.neo-pressable:active {
+  transform: translateY(0);
+  box-shadow: inset 4px 4px 9px var(--neo-lo), inset -4px -4px 9px var(--neo-hi);
+}
+
+/* Brushed-metal title plate with screws and letterpress text */
+.skeu-plate {
+  position: relative;
+  background:
+    repeating-linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(255,255,255,0.06) 0 1px, transparent 1px 3px),
+    linear-gradient(160deg, var(--skeu-top), var(--skeu-bottom));
+  border: 1px solid var(--skeu-cut);
+  border-radius: 18px;
+  box-shadow:
+    inset 0 1px 0 var(--skeu-edge),
+    inset 0 -3px 6px var(--skeu-cut),
+    0 2px 0 var(--skeu-edge),
+    12px 14px 28px var(--neo-lo),
+    -10px -10px 24px var(--neo-hi);
+}
+.skeu-plate::before,
+.skeu-plate::after {
+  content: "";
+  position: absolute;
+  top: 10px;
+  width: 10px;
+  height: 10px;
+  border-radius: 50%;
+  background:
+    linear-gradient(45deg, transparent 44%, var(--skeu-cut) 44% 56%, transparent 56%),
+    radial-gradient(circle at 30% 30%, var(--skeu-top), var(--skeu-bottom));
+  box-shadow: inset 0 0 0 1px var(--skeu-cut), 0 1px 0 var(--skeu-edge);
+}
+.skeu-plate::before { left: 10px; }
+.skeu-plate::after { right: 10px; }
+
+.skeu-title {
+  text-shadow: 0 1px 0 var(--skeu-edge), 0 -1px 0 var(--skeu-cut);
+}
+
+.skeu-well {
+  background: var(--neo-bg);
+  border-radius: 12px;
+  box-shadow: inset 3px 3px 7px var(--neo-lo), inset -3px -3px 7px var(--neo-hi);
+}
+
+[data-theme="high-contrast"] .skeu-plate,
+[data-theme="high-contrast"] .neo-raised,
+[data-theme="high-contrast"] .neo-inset,
+[data-theme="high-contrast"] .neo-pressable {
+  border: 1px solid var(--border);
+  box-shadow: none;
+}
+
+/* Hanging sign: tilted from a pivot above, with two wires to the screws */
+.skeu-hang {
+  position: relative;
+  margin-top: 28px;
+  transform: rotate(-2.5deg);
+  transform-origin: 50% -28px;
+  transition: transform 0.6s cubic-bezier(0.3, 1.6, 0.5, 1);
+}
+.skeu-hang:hover { transform: rotate(1.5deg); }
+.skeu-wire {
+  position: absolute;
+  bottom: calc(100% - 14px);
+  width: 2px;
+  height: 30px;
+  background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--skeu-edge), var(--skeu-cut));
+  transform-origin: 50% 100%;
+  pointer-events: none;
+}
+.skeu-wire-l { left: 14px; transform: rotate(14deg); }
+.skeu-wire-r { right: 14px; transform: rotate(-14deg); }
+@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
+  .skeu-hang, .skeu-hang:hover { transition: none; }
+  .skeu-hang:hover { transform: rotate(-2.5deg); }
+}
diff --git a/src/app/page.tsx b/src/app/page.tsx
index 0421f0bad..c1908b757 100644
--- a/src/app/page.tsx
+++ b/src/app/page.tsx
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ export default function Home() {
         target="_blank"
         rel="noopener noreferrer"
         aria-label="View Reframe on GitHub"
-        className="hidden sm:flex fixed top-4 right-4 md:right-16 z-50 items-center gap-1.5 px-3 py-1.5 rounded-lg border border-[var(--border)] bg-[var(--surface)] text-[10px] font-heading font-semibold uppercase tracking-wider transition-all duration-200 ease-in-out hover:scale-105 hover:border-[var(--accent)] hover:bg-[var(--accent-muted)] hover:shadow-[var(--shadow)]"
+        className="hidden sm:flex fixed top-4 right-4 md:right-16 z-50 items-center gap-1.5 px-3 py-1.5 rounded-lg neo-pressable text-[10px] font-heading font-semibold uppercase tracking-wider"
       >
         ⭐ Star on GitHub
       </a>
diff --git a/src/components/DownloadResult.tsx b/src/components/DownloadResult.tsx
index 475c899bc..0804cd06d 100644
--- a/src/components/DownloadResult.tsx
+++ b/src/components/DownloadResult.tsx
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ export default function DownloadResult({ result, onReset, soundOnCompletion, onT
   };
 
   return (
-    <div className="p-5 bg-[var(--surface)] border border-[var(--border)] rounded-xl space-y-4">
+    <div className="p-5 rounded-xl neo-raised space-y-4">
       <div className="flex items-center justify-between">
   <div className="flex items-center gap-4">
     <div className="w-12 h-12 shrink-0">
diff --git a/src/components/Footer.tsx b/src/components/Footer.tsx
index 721e9c9a1..a3dd7c38a 100644
--- a/src/components/Footer.tsx
+++ b/src/components/Footer.tsx
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ import {
 
 export default function Footer() {
   return (
-    <footer className="w-full border-t border-[var(--border)] bg-[var(--bg)] text-[var(--text)] px-6 py-16 mt-20 transition-colors duration-300">
+    <footer className="w-full bg-[var(--neo-bg)] text-[var(--text)] shadow-[0_-8px_18px_var(--neo-lo)] px-6 py-16 mt-20 transition-colors duration-300">
       <div className="max-w-7xl mx-auto grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-12 gap-y-12 md:gap-x-12">
         {/* Brand Section */}
         <div className="md:col-span-5 space-y-6">
diff --git a/src/components/FormatSelector.tsx b/src/components/FormatSelector.tsx
index 81033b6bf..4e95651cf 100644
--- a/src/components/FormatSelector.tsx
+++ b/src/components/FormatSelector.tsx
@@ -34,11 +34,11 @@ export default function FormatSelector({ recipe, onChange }: Props) {
             aria-label={`Select ${option.label} format`}
             aria-pressed={recipe.format === option.id}
             className={cn(
-              "relative px-3 py-2.5 rounded-lg border-2 transition-all",
+              "relative px-3 py-2.5 rounded-lg border-2 border-transparent transition-all",
               "text-xs font-heading font-semibold uppercase tracking-wider",
               recipe.format === option.id
-                ? "border-film-600 bg-film-50 text-film-600"
-                : "border-[var(--border)] bg-[var(--surface)] text-[var(--muted)] hover:border-film-400 hover:text-film-600"
+                ? "neo-inset text-film-600"
+                : "neo-pressable text-[var(--muted)] hover:text-film-600"
             )}
           >
             {option.label}
diff --git a/src/components/FramingControl.tsx b/src/components/FramingControl.tsx
index f0da50fa5..7685b1c29 100644
--- a/src/components/FramingControl.tsx
+++ b/src/components/FramingControl.tsx
@@ -22,10 +22,10 @@ export default function FramingControl({ recipe, onChange }: Props) {
             title={mode === "fit" ? "Fit: Adds black bars (letterbox) to fill empty space" : "Fill: Crops the video to fill the entire frame"}
             onClick={() => onChange({ framing: mode })}
             className={cn(
-              "flex-1 min-h-[44px] min-w-[44px] flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-2 py-4 rounded-lg border transition-all duration-150 hover:scale-[1.02] active:scale-[0.98]",
+              "flex-1 min-h-[44px] min-w-[44px] flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-2 py-4 rounded-lg border border-transparent transition-all duration-150",
               active
-                ? "border-film-500 bg-film-50 text-film-700"
-                : "border-[var(--border)] text-[var(--muted)] hover:border-film-300 bg-[var(--surface)]"
+                ? "neo-inset text-film-600"
+                : "neo-pressable text-[var(--muted)]"
             )}
           >
             <Icon size={18} aria-hidden="true" />
diff --git a/src/components/PresetSelector.tsx b/src/components/PresetSelector.tsx
index 71e62f103..76ee404c3 100644
--- a/src/components/PresetSelector.tsx
+++ b/src/components/PresetSelector.tsx
@@ -152,10 +152,10 @@ export default function PresetSelector({ recipe, onChange }: Props) {
               aria-pressed={isActive}
               onClick={() => onChange({ preset })}
               className={cn(
-                "flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1 py-2 px-1 rounded-lg border text-center transition-all duration-150 cursor-pointer hover:scale-[1.04] active:scale-[0.97]",
+                "flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1 py-2 px-1 rounded-lg border border-transparent text-center transition-all duration-150 cursor-pointer",
                 isActive
-                  ? "border-film-500 bg-film-50 text-film-600"
-                  : "border-[var(--border)] bg-[var(--surface)] text-[var(--muted)] hover:border-film-300 hover:bg-film-50/30 hover:text-[var(--text)]",
+                  ? "neo-inset text-film-600"
+                  : "neo-pressable text-[var(--muted)] hover:text-[var(--text)]",
               )}
             >
               {icon}
@@ -201,10 +201,10 @@ export default function PresetSelector({ recipe, onChange }: Props) {
                 aria-label={`${preset.label.replaceAll(":", " is to ")} output ratio`}
                 aria-pressed={active}
                 className={cn(
-                  "min-h-[44px] min-w-[44px] flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 p-3 rounded-lg border text-center transition-all duration-150 cursor-pointer hover:scale-[1.02] active:scale-[0.98]",
+                  "min-h-[44px] min-w-[44px] flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 p-3 rounded-lg border border-transparent text-center transition-all duration-150 cursor-pointer",
                   active
-                    ? "border-film-500 bg-film-50"
-                    : "border-[var(--border)] bg-[var(--surface)] hover:border-film-300 hover:bg-film-50/30",
+                    ? "neo-inset"
+                    : "neo-pressable",
                 )}
               >
                 <RatioBox
@@ -239,10 +239,10 @@ export default function PresetSelector({ recipe, onChange }: Props) {
           aria-pressed={recipe.preset === "custom"}
           onClick={() => handlePresetSelect("custom")}
           className={cn(
-            "min-h-[44px] min-w-[44px] flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 p-3 rounded-lg border text-center transition-all duration-150 cursor-pointer hover:scale-[1.02] active:scale-[0.98]",
+            "min-h-[44px] min-w-[44px] flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 p-3 rounded-lg border border-transparent text-center transition-all duration-150 cursor-pointer",
             recipe.preset === "custom"
-              ? "border-film-500 bg-film-50"
-              : "border-[var(--border)] bg-[var(--surface)] hover:border-film-300 hover:bg-film-50/30",
+              ? "neo-inset"
+              : "neo-pressable",
           )}
         >
           <Settings2
diff --git a/src/components/VideoEditor.tsx b/src/components/VideoEditor.tsx
index f4c300089..cfd582c57 100644
--- a/src/components/VideoEditor.tsx
+++ b/src/components/VideoEditor.tsx
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ function KeyboardShortcutsPanel({ isMac }: { isMac: boolean }) {
   ];
 
   return (
-    <div className="rounded-xl border border-[var(--border)] bg-[var(--surface)] animate-fade-in overflow-hidden">
+    <div className="rounded-xl animate-fade-in overflow-hidden neo-raised">
       <button
         type="button"
         aria-expanded={open}
@@ -599,7 +599,7 @@ export default function VideoEditor() {
                     />
                   </AccordionSection>
                 </div>
-                <div className="bg-[var(--surface)] rounded-xl border border-[var(--border)] p-5 space-y-6">
+                <div className="rounded-xl p-5 neo-raised space-y-6">
                   <AccordionSection
                     id="audio"
                     icon={<Volume2 size={12} />}
@@ -810,7 +810,7 @@ export default function VideoEditor() {
             )}
           >
             {!file && (
-              <div className="bg-[var(--surface)] border border-[var(--border)] rounded-xl p-4 animate-fade-in">
+              <div className="rounded-xl p-4 neo-raised animate-fade-in">
                 <p className="text-[10px] font-heading font-bold text-film-600 uppercase tracking-widest">
                   Getting Started
                 </p>