When it comes to design, the smallest of decisions can shape the personality of your website in big ways.
I’m not talking about colors or fonts – those are pretty big decisions that play a very large role.
What I am referring to is something as small as your border radius — how rounded (or not) you make the corners of images, buttons, and boxes.
It’s wild to think that the corners of your buttons can be totally square and emit one personality, while a completely rounded button can evoke something completely different.
So how do you choose what kind of border radius to go with?
Small Border Radius: Minor Effect
A website that utilizes subtle rounded corners on buttons and boxes really doesn’t have much effect. If it’s something in the 2-4 pixel range, it’s so subtle that it just softens the hard edge enough, but doesn’t have enough roundness that changes the personality of the design.
Here’s an example of a small border radius:
Big Border Radius: Playful, Casual
On the contrary, if you use a very large border radius on your buttons and edges of design elements, you will completely alter the way your website is received. It instantly becomes more casual, playful and inviting.
When you use such a large border radius on a button, it becomes more of a “pill” shape — which is common to see in a lot of websites.
Here’s an example of a large border radius in action:
No Border Radius: Serious, Formal
Now, if you go the route to having no radius to your corners whatsoever, and keep it to sharp corners and edges, you begin to make the design feel more serious and professional.
Here’s a design with no radius:
So whenever you’re analyzing your website, and are looking for more ways to shape the personality of your brand and aesthetic, take a look at your borders.
Are they sharp and serious? Or rounded and fun?
Every little detail matters in design, and those minuscule decisions can ultimately lead you to more (or less) revenue if you’re careful.
Talk soon,
