The question of the usability of rounded corners versus square corners has already be answered here. My question revolves more about the consequence of having them intermingled. I've heard some people espouse the idea that once you go down a rounded corners path, your design should really stick to that approach rather then, for example, having a square box inside a rounded one. Is this simply aesthetic or is there some usability concern to back it up (e.g. cognitive switch from a softer less threatening to something more jarring)? I would be very interested in any research that attempts to answer this question.
Answer
Mixing rounded and square corners is usually considered poor design from an aesthetic point of view. From a usability perspective, the different kinds of corners would imply a difference between the two box types. If there really is a difference between the box types and the different corner treatments help communicated that, then that would tend to improve the usability.
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