The Function of Rounded Corners
Igor Asselbergs of Livelygrey has written a very interesting post about rounded corners a while back — I haven’t read this sort of thing anywhere else so I just have to reblog it. What’s the function of rounded corners? We use them simply to add a bit of eye-candy and improve the overall aesthetic of our websites and applications, right?
Well, there is actually more to rounded corners than just appealing looks. Here’s an example Igor used to illustrate his point:
Rounded corners set the limits of a content box or application window — they define its edges. You can clearly see the left box with rounded corners is one box that’s divided by a line running through it. The box on the right is different. It could be a box divided by a line, or it could be two rectangles next to each other. It’s not clear where the edges of the box are because its corners are not defined.
There are many straight corners, but there are only four rounded ones. Rounded corners are not simply eye-candy, they’re a tool you can use to better define content boxes or application windows. I guess it doesn’t even have to be rounded corners — any pattern or shape that breaks the flow of straight edges would set the corners of a box, but rounded corners are probably the simplest and cleanest approach.
25 Sep, 2008
I agree with a commentor on the original article that rounded rectangles feel “safer” and more approachable. That may sound strange as these square rectangles aren’t going to jump off the screen or scratch your hand when you touch them but soft edges are indeed all around us.
Think about the real world, objects with sharp edges can hurt you, it’s instinctual to avoid or use care when handling them. Objects with softer edges or corners feel less threatening.
Agreeing again with an original commentor, the color choices in Igor’s example reinforce his argument, switch the rectangle’s colors and the disharmony may not seem to obvious.
However, I do somewhat agree with the conclusion that the rounded shape feels like a container with an interior separation; but as a visual designer, I would probably not put two shapes in as close proximity as the squared rectangles and NOT expect them to be interpreted as being relational.
Perhaps a small study could be conducted on this topic for a more substantial answer to this question?
25 Sep, 2008
rounded corners are more friendly then straight ones, i agree, hope all browsers gonna make same functions to display them.., cause know mozilla have others don’t .. making them on the web from images or many div’s i think it’s not smart ..
30 Sep, 2008
[...] they’re a tool you can use to better define content boxes or application windows. — Dmitry Fadeyev September 29, 2008 Link var gaJsHost = ((”https:” == document.location.protocol) ? [...]
2 Oct, 2008
There are designs which don’t allow rounded corners. Just make middle line thin. It makes second box more friendly.
Look at your blog: how many corners do you see? And all of them are straight. Don’t follow web20 tends. Straight corners is classic that will never die.
:)
6 Oct, 2008
Firstly i would have to say i agree round corners are or have a softer less threatening ¨feel¨.
However the rest is in my opinion, garbage.
Rounded corners set the limits and define edges? So please explain how sharp corners do not do this … AS any person with a design background will tell you, there are but two line shapes, straight and curves.
Its all a matter of taste.
And effectively if you were to look at this from a subconscious or “meta” perspective you would come to the realisation that in the end its a sexual thing, round and curvy or straight, the round being more feminine and the straight being the masculine.
So, shoot me … i like sharp and edgy on web sites, its cool, its modern, it doesnt look like something for preschoolers.
Take a look at cool, modern, furniture for example, design, rounded_ NOT.
In the end its all a matter of taste.
And thank god for variety. Thanks god there are people that are NOT sheeple.
ps im not religious its just a saying.
Semantics and elubrication, what else is there eh.
17 Oct, 2008
wombat, did you even read the post? It explains clearly, lol.
13 Nov, 2008
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28 Dec, 2008
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