At a quick glance the accepted checkmark looks as if the downvoted an answer

Question

When I scroll through answers the accepted checkmark looks as a downvote arrow at a first glance in the corner of my eye. It makes me question why I downvoted the answer and I find this disruptive.

Of course within I split second, when I focus on it, I see it loud and clear, but I think the colour and shape of the accepted checkmark is too similar to the downvote arrow.

I tried to make an exaggerated visualisation of the situation (it's a bit sloppy). The clear area is the place I read, the sides are blurred as that's not where my eyes are focussed (note: heavy exaggeration) and desaturated as the eye is less sensitive to colour in the peripheral vision.

No downvote, answer accepted:

Downvote, answer accepted:

After making the images I see that this also depends on viewing distance very much, so it might be very specific to my workplace.

Am I the only one with this "problem"? Or is this something which should be revised in the design?

Answer 1

I don't necessarily have this issue, but I can't help but think perhaps the circle+check may be better to:

• Coincide with the user profile (continuity is great)

• And differentiate the circle from the triangles better than the diamond does

For clarification:

"This is the selected answer" indicator is a circle with a vote count in the user profile:

It's a circle with answer count on main pages:

And it's a diamond with a checkmark in the question.

If all areas used the same shape there would be additional continuity. In addition, if the circle is used it would help eliminate the issue of the diamond looking like the vote arrows.