submission from guest author John Talton

The page curl has been a Photoshop trick for years now.  As Kate wrote previously, the “page curl” or “earmark” is a UI style that can function as a metaphor, implying “turn the page for more”.

Its expensive rendering and lack of dynamic-ability when applying it via a generic template has limited its wide spread use over the years.  But as the web increases its bandwidth capabilities and the need for more unique and flashy graphics continues to rise, this cheep-trick is start showing up more and more.  In most cases, one of the downfalls of the page curl is that the user does not know where it will take them until they click it, since most implementations don’t contain a label.

And while many websites have used it in the past, its notable that Google is now using it in its Chrome browser, Slashdot.org has adopted it for a sponsor link on their poll, and it’s starting to show up in applications as well, such as Google Maps for the iPhone.

Is the earmark the new rounded corner? At best it is used as a fitting visual metaphor. At worst it is used for its kitschy cuteness, void of any real intent. Regardless, as Magritte warned with the pipe, it is not paper.