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demon_razgriz
· 4 years ago
· FIRST
Much like he Google 'G' logo, shapes and objects that are perfect appear weird to us. For this reason, they are slightly skewed, to have a more 'human' appearance to them.
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snowbeast
· 4 years ago
This makes my previously-oblivious OCD angry.
guest_
· 4 years ago
Partial story. the arrow IS symmetrical. Check it yourself. Each half of the “triangle” is symmetrical a line drawn down the center from the “point” will intersect the triangle with perfect symmetry. The “handle” of the arrow is crooked. The line from the point of the arrow tip will not exit the handle parallel to the sides of the handle or perpendicular to the base, but at an angle.
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Edited 4 years ago
guest_
· 4 years ago
A line drawn from the base of the arrow at center, parallel to the handle, will exit as seen in this image. BUT- because the handle is slanted- it is the handle that isn’t symmetrical- the “base” is not a straight line across- it is sloped at an angle. This is more evident if you look at early mouse pointers for older computers, especially in the age where pixilation was very evident.
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guest_
· 4 years ago
The design decision to make the pointer this way has some advantages. It helps the overall look (especially in early pixelated days,) and as someone else said there are “visual comfort” points in design and asymmetry to a degree- but you also have to remember that the pointer is viewed from perspective. You’re looking “down” at the screen- glass and curvature of older monitors added more “depth” but even on most modern OS GUI if you pay attention- it isn’t designed “flat” but to appear as thought there is some depth to the interface.
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guest_
· 4 years ago
Icons “hover” “above” or “in front” to the “foreground” of the background. Windows “hover” over them and the cursor “Hovers” over all of them. It creates VisiCalc separation and depth- and newer OS GUI even incorporate things like shadows to aid this- even some older icons were designed with “shadows” as part of the icon image to help with this.
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guest_
· 4 years ago
So from perspective- your cursor isn’t necessarily being viewed “flat” and “straight on,” but could in fact be being seen at and angle- perhaps tilting “down” or “to the background” “away” from you the user. Why? Because- it is made to “aim” right?
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guest_
· 4 years ago
How hard is it to place your finger right over the opening of a drinking glass? Not hard right? Now- picture holding a small ball. I ask you to drop the ball in the glass. The closer you can get your fingers to the glass- the easier it is to make sure that when you drop the ball- your fingers are actually above what you are trying to aim at right? Likewise- you can keep visual distinction but make the “tip” of the pointer “closer” the thing you are aiming at- easier to be accurate- if you angle it.
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guest_
· 4 years ago
But some say it is shown at an angle clockwise/counterclockwise from “straight up” or “down.” Regardless- the cursor is not symmetrical but the lack of Symmetry is in the “handle” not the triangle.
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