Why is the mouse cursor slightly tilted and not straight? (ux.stackexchange.com)

Article summary

The article discusses the reason behind the mouse cursor being slightly tilted and not straight. Unfortunately, the article could not be fetched, but the comments provide various explanations and theories. Some commenters suggest it was done for visual balance or to make the cursor more visible on certain backgrounds. Others propose it was a deliberate design choice or a legacy issue that has been retained for compatibility reasons.

Main themes

• mouse cursor design
• UX design history
• legacy issues
• visual balance
• compatibility
• design priorities
• technical limitations
• familiarity and iconicity

What commenters say

• The tilted cursor may have been designed to make it more visible on certain backgrounds or to create a sense of balance.
• The cursor's design is a legacy issue that has been retained for compatibility reasons.
• The reason for the tilted cursor is not a deliberate design choice, but rather a result of early UX design limitations.
• The cursor's shape and orientation may have been influenced by the need to avoid obscuring the thing being pointed at.
• Some argue that Microsoft did not prioritize UI/UX design in the past, while others claim that this is a myth and Microsoft did care about design.
• The design of the cursor may have been influenced by technical limitations of early hardware and software.
• The cursor's design has been retained because it has become a familiar and iconic part of the Windows brand.
• The true reason for the tilted cursor may never be known due to the lack of information from the original designers.