Exploring the Popularity of Rounded UI Design: Why It’s Everywhere

Prince Mukherjee
4 min readFeb 20, 2023

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Learn why rounded user interface (UI) design is the ideal approach for digital products and the advantages of rounded corners, how they affect usability, user experience and how to incorporate them into your designs. Begin now with my full guide on rounded UI design.

Have you ever wondered why all the buttons and cards of major websites and apps have rounded edges?

Everyone has encountered rounded user interfaces (UI). These may be found everywhere, from the most recent iPhone to the most popular Android phone with their responsive apps.

But what is rounded UI?

Rounded UI, or user interface, is a type of interface design that makes use of rounded edges and corners to produce a more user-friendly, visually attractive, and intuitive design.
Because of its capacity to increase usability, user experience, and aesthetics, rounded UI has grown in popularity in recent years. Its application has stretched across everything from mobile devices to web design to wearable technologies.

Now that you have a good understanding of what rounded UI are, let’s look at why they are so popular.

Rounded UI is More Intuitive

One of the most significant advantages of rounded user interfaces is that they are more intuitive. Users instinctively think that rounded edges indicate that the interface is more user-friendly and accessible. This is because rounded edges make the interface appear softer and more inviting.

When YouTube made big changes to its UI Design in 2022, one of the most talked-about changes was the switch from sharp edges to entirely oval corners for the subscribe button.

You Tube subscribe buttons before and after 2022 redesign

Rounded UI is More aesthetically pleasing

Another reason rounded UI works well is because it is more visually appealing. Rounded edges are more appealing and professional than acute ones. This is why many designers choose to create interfaces for websites and apps with rounded UI.

Rounded UI is More legible

Round user interface components are easier to read than squared-off equivalents. The explanation is straightforward: our eyes are more accustomed to seeing circular objects in our surroundings. Consider the last time you saw an object in nature that was precisely squared off. You probably can’t think of one. Rounded forms are also more aesthetically appealing and may lend a softer, kinder feel to your app or website. They can help break up long sections of text and make sophisticated interfaces feel less intimidating.

Rounded UI are considered safe

Throughout human evolution, our brains have learned to perceive sharp objects as dangerous. Sharp tools were once used as weapons to attack and kill, so we inherited a instinctual wariness of anything sharp.

Even today, we use knives to cut, so sharp objects still trigger that sense of danger. As a result, seeing a sharp object on a website may make us hesitate to click that“Buy Now” button. Our brains automatically label sharp things as hazardous, whether we’re shopping or facing a real threat.

Modern Applications of Rounded UI

A. Mobile Devices — Rounded UI is widely used in mobile devices. It has become an integral part of the design of many popular smartphones and tablets, such as the Apple iPhone and iPad, as well as Android-powered devices. It makes the interface more intuitive and user-friendly, and is also aesthetically pleasing.

B. Web Design — Rounded UI has become increasingly popular in web design, being used to create more intuitive and user-friendly websites. It is also used to create aesthetically pleasing designs and to add visual appeal to a website.

C. Wearable Technology — Rounded UI is also used in wearable technology, such as smartwatches, fitness trackers, and virtual reality headsets. This allows users to interact with their devices in a more intuitive and user-friendly way.

If you’re designing for legibility, go with rounded shapes. Your users will thank you.

Hey 👋🏼 Thanks for your time. I create regular content, do follow me on Instagram and let’s connect on LinkedIn. Don’t forget to follow me here on Medium as well for more design-related content.

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Prince Mukherjee

UI/UX Designer ✦ Content Creator ✦ Decoding design strategies of brand and businesses https://www.instagram.com/theupbeatdesigner/