The Curve in Samsung's Design Language

Studies prove that humans prefer curves over sharp angles

A number of behavioral studies* have shown that people prefer curved contours significantly more than sharp-angled ones. This preference is present even in newborns. Curves are a part of a design language that runs through an increasing number of Samsung devices, including the Galaxy Gear S2, Gear 360, the all-new Galaxy S7 Edge and the curved range of SUHD TVs and monitors. The curved surface experience is a response to the needs and preferences of technology users.

The Gear S2 features a fully circular Tizen-powered interface with a rotating bezel. The VR-ready Samsung Gear 360 camera is equipped with dual fisheye lenses with image sensors, giving users the ability to capture high-resolution 360-degree video. In the curved range of monitors and SUHD TVs, Samsung’s innovation is offering a distortion-free viewing experience with less eye strain, as they let media consumers view the whole screen at a uniform distance by matching the curvature of the eye.

Imbibing the curve into product design included extensive research and tests. Everything from preserving display quality to ease of use was considered to optimize every part of the user experience. In handheld devices, the perfect angle of 70 degrees of the edge screen, first introduced in the Galaxy S6 Edge, has opened up a new era of interactivity, while allowing the user to see the edge screen without having to tilt the device. The grip and keyless design that enabled ambidextrous control ushered in a new era of user innovation.

The curved design also allows access to content without having to unlock the phone. For example, the Fast Scroll function gets to apps or content quickly, and simply dragging the content to the main screen unlocks the device for further use. Also, the edge screen and main screens can be utilized, not as two separate screens, but as one continuous screen. Users can even set their own interactive functions to use the screens as they see fit. The edge screen can be used independently; a timeline history can be set to see what applications you used or to manage your schedule or have access S-Voice, Wallet, Voice Recorder and other apps.

Austrian painter and architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser believed straight lines were drawn by rule, without thought or feeling. He called his theory of art “transautomatism,” and placed great emphasis on the experience of the viewer. Just as the world we live in exists in curves and organic shapes, it’s only natural to conclude that curved surfaces offer infinitely more possibilities than flat ones.