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Design

Key Points​

  • Design tokens.
  • Content.
  • Centering.
  • Spacing.
  • Color and contrast.
  • Balance (position).
  • Primary and secondary color.
  • Custom text (font).
  • Font family.
  • Images and links.

Principles​

Cicada​

禅原则:

当用户注意到一个有辨识度的特征 (比如木纹上的节疤) 在以固定的规律循环重复时, 那它试图营造的自然随机性就会立刻崩塌. 使用 CSS 实现形状时, 应尽可能地重现大自然的随机性.

Fitts Law​

费茨定律:

人机交互和人体工程学中人类活动的模型, 它预测了从任意位置快速移动到一个目标位置所需的时间, 由 2 个位置的距离（D）和目标大小（S）有关, 正比于 D, 反比于 S:

  • 关联性强的 UI 放置在一起.
  • 大拇指点击热区.
  • 屏幕边界视为无限大 (容易到达).
  • 关机滑动距离长.
  • 利用透明边框或伪元素扩大可点击区域 (hit area).

米勒定律​

人的短时记忆能力广度为 7±2 个信息块:

  • 手机号/银行卡号/超大数字分段放置, 信息分层 e.g. 134 9999 9999, 999, 999, 999.
  • 文章布局时增大段落间 margin, 改变部分文字的粗细/字体/颜色.
  • 导航/选项卡不超过 9 个 (超过 9 个可使用 dropdown/subMenu).

席克定律​

用户所面临的选择数量越多, 做出选择所花费的时间就越长, 在人机交互的界面中选项越多, 意味着用户做出决策的时间越长:

  • 减少选项并提供默认值.
  • 分类分层.
  • 分步分页 (大部分手机应用注册界面).

泰斯勒定律​

泰斯勒定律又称复杂性守恒定律, 该定律认为每一个过程都有其固有的复杂性, 这个复杂性存在一个临界点, 超过了这个点就不能再简化了, 你只能将固有的复杂性从一个地方移动到另外一个地方:

  • 智能手机: 按键的复杂度转为手机操作系统的复杂度.
  • 智能推荐: 用户自己选择筛选条件的复杂度转为人工智能算法的复杂度.

Design Systems​

Design Tokens​

Design tokens are the atomic building blocks of a design system. Think of them as named containers that store your website’s visual DNA:

  • Colors.
  • Fonts.
  • Spacing.
  • Sizing
  • And more.

Importance of design tokens:

  • Consistency: A token like “brand-blue” with the value “#006699” ensures that exact blue is used everywhere. This extends to spacing, typography, and more.
  • Maintainability: Update the token, and changes ripple through your entire application to complete a design refresh.
  • Scalability: Design tokens keep your growing projects organized. New components inherit your design rules, guaranteeing a unified look.
  • Collaboration: Tokens become a shared language between designers and developers, a single source of truth for your website’s style.

Workflow​

Tiered structure: we define tokens at different levels of abstraction:

  • Tier 1: Base value (--color-brand-blue-800).
  • Tier 2: Semantic meaning (--theme-color-content-default).
  • Tier 3: Component-specific use (--theme-color-button-content).
<script>
  // my-button.js
  class MyButton extends HTMLElement {
    // ... your component setup

    connectedCallback() {
      this.shadowRoot.innerHTML = `
       <style>
         button {
           background-color: var(--theme-color-button-content); /* Tier 3 token */
           padding: var(--spacing-base);
           color: var(--theme-color-content-default);
         }
       </style>
       <button><slot>Default Button</slot></button>
     `
    }
    // ... rest of your component code
  }

  customElements.define('my-button', MyButton)
</script>

<style>
  /* Design tokens as CSS custom properties */
  :root {
    --color-brand-blue-800: #069; /* Tier 1 */
    --theme-color-content-default: var(--color-brand-blue-800); /* Tier 2 */
    --theme-color-button-content: var(--theme-color-content-default); /* Tier 3 */
  }
</style>

Implementing design tokens in your workflow:

  • Design Phase: Defining Visual DNA:
    • Define your design tokens in a shared document.
    • Use tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD to create a design system.
    • Craft the core visual attributes: color palettes, typography, spacing and sizing.
    • Define tokens hierarchical structure: this is where tokens become powerful.
  • Exporting Phase: Generating Tokens:
    • Use tools like Token Studio, Style Dictionary, or Figma Tokens to generate tokens.
    • Export tokens in a format (JSON/YAML) that can be consumed by your development environment.
    • Define a naming convention for your tokens.
    • Take use of version control and continuous integration.
  • Development Phase: Implementing Tokens:
    • Create a CSS file to store your tokens.
    • Use CSS custom properties to define your tokens.
    • Implement tokens in your components.
    • Component library integration: include the generated styles in your component library environment setup (e.g. Storybook).
  • Maintenance Phase: Updating Tokens:
    • Regenerate tokens and update your CSS file: design systems aren’t static.
    • Test your components to ensure the changes are applied correctly.
    • Use version control to track changes.

CSS​

Theming with modern CSS:

:root {
  /* Fluid type scale core tokens */
  --size-step-minus-2: clamp(0.6944rem, 0.6376rem + 0.284vi, 0.84rem);
  --size-step-minus-1: clamp(0.8333rem, 0.7488rem + 0.4228vi, 1.05rem);
  --size-step-0: clamp(1rem, 0.878rem + 0.6098vi, 1.3125rem);
  --size-step-1: clamp(1.2rem, 1.028rem + 0.8598vi, 1.6406rem);
  --size-step-2: clamp(1.44rem, 1.2016rem + 1.1918vi, 2.0508rem);
  --size-step-3: clamp(1.728rem, 1.402rem + 1.6302vi, 2.5635rem);
  --size-step-4: clamp(2.0736rem, 1.6323rem + 2.2063vi, 3.2043rem);
  --size-step-5: clamp(2.4883rem, 1.8963rem + 2.9602vi, 4.0054rem);
  --size-step-6: clamp(2.986rem, 2.1974rem + 3.943vi, 5.0068rem);
  --size-step-7: clamp(3.5832rem, 2.5392rem + 5.2201vi, 6.2585rem);

  /* Fluid space scale core tokens */
  --space-3xs: clamp(0.25rem, 0.2256rem + 0.122vi, 0.3125rem);
  --space-2xs: clamp(0.5rem, 0.4268rem + 0.3659vi, 0.6875rem);
  --space-xs: clamp(0.75rem, 0.6524rem + 0.4878vi, 1rem);
  --space-s: clamp(1rem, 0.878rem + 0.6098vi, 1.3125rem);
  --space-m: clamp(1.5rem, 1.3049rem + 0.9756vi, 2rem);
  --space-l: clamp(2rem, 1.7561rem + 1.2195vi, 2.625rem);
  --space-xl: clamp(3rem, 2.6341rem + 1.8293vi, 3.9375rem);
  --space-2xl: clamp(4rem, 3.5122rem + 2.439vi, 5.25rem);
  --space-3xl: clamp(6rem, 5.2683rem + 3.6585vi, 7.875rem);

  /* Colors core tokens */
  --color-light: #fff;
  --color-light-shade: #f3f5f7;
  --color-dark: #000;
  --color-mid: #ebebeb;
  --color-mid-shade: #dedede;
  --color-midnight: #4a4e69;
  --color-midnight-shade: #22223b;
  --color-eggshell: #f2e9e4;
  --color-blue: #3b71fe;
  --color-blue-glare: #eef6fd;
  --color-slate: #4f5563;

  /* Abstract into more specific, semantic variables */
  --leading: 1.5;
  --leading-short: 1.3;
  --leading-fine: 1.1;
  --leading-flat: 1;
  --leading-loose: 1.7;
  --kerning: normal;
  --kerning-tight: -0.04ch;
  --kerning-loose: 0.1ch;
  --text-size-base: var(--size-step-0);
  --text-size-meta: var(--size-step-minus-1);
  --text-size-heading-1: var(--size-step-5);
  --text-size-heading-2: var(--size-step-4);
  --text-size-heading-3: var(--size-step-3);
  --text-size-heading-4: var(--size-step-2);
  --text-size-prose: var(--text-size-base);
  --space-gutter: var(--space-m);
  --space-gutter-s: var(--space-s);
  --space-gutter-l: var(--space-l);
  --space-regions: var(--space-xl);
  --size-wrapper-max-width: 1135px;
  --color-global-bg: var(--color-light);
  --color-global-text: var(--color-dark);
  --color-surface-bg: var(--color-mid);
  --color-surface-bg-interact: var(--color-mid-shade);
  --color-surface-text: var(--color-dark);
  --color-surface-text-interact: var(--color-dark);
  --font-base:
    -apple-system, 'BlinkMacSystemFont', avenir next, avenir, segoe ui, helvetica neue, helvetica, cantarell, ubuntu,
    roboto, noto, arial, sans-serif;
  --font-display: var(--font-base);
  --font-weight-regular: 400;
  --font-weight-medium: 500;
  --font-weight-bold: 700;
  --font-weight-black: 900;
  --focus-ring: 2px solid currentcolor;
  --focus-ring-offset: 2px;
}

body {
  font-family: var(--font-base);
  font-size: var(--text-size-base);
  line-height: var(--leading);
  color: var(--color-global-text);
  background: var(--color-global-bg);
}

.grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(var(--grid-placement, auto-fill), minmax(var(--grid-min-item-size, 16rem), 1fr));
  gap: var(--space-gutter, var(--space-s-l));
}

.button {
  display: inline-flex;
  gap: var(--button-gap, var(--space-gutter));
  padding: var(--button-padding, 0.8em 1.5em);
  font-weight: var(--button-font-weight, var(--font-weight-medium));
  line-height: var(--button-leading, var(--leading-fine));
  color: var(--button-text, var(--color-surface-text));
  text-transform: var(--button-text-transform, uppercase);
  letter-spacing: var(--button-kerning, var(--kerning-loose));
  text-decoration: none;
  background: var(--button-bg, var(--color-surface-bg));
  border-radius: var(--button-radius, 0);
}

.button:hover {
  color: var(--button-interact-text, var(--color-surface-text-interact));
  background: var(--button-interact-bg, var(--color-surface-bg-interact));
}

Variants​

import type { ButtonHTMLAttributes } from 'react'

type ButtonVariant = 'filled' | 'outlined'

export type ButtonProps = {
  /**
   * the variant of the button to use
   * @default 'outlined'
   */
  variant?: ButtonVariant
} & ButtonHTMLAttributes<HTMLButtonElement>

const ButtonStyles: { [key in ButtonVariant]: React.CSSProperties } = {
  filled: {
    backgroundColor: 'blue', // Change this to your filled button color
    color: 'white',
  },
  outlined: {
    border: '2px solid blue', // Change this to your outlined button color
    backgroundColor: 'transparent',
    color: 'blue',
  },
}

export function Button({
  variant = 'outlined',
  children,
  style,
  ...rest
}: ButtonProps) {
  return (
    <button
      type="button"
      style={{
        ...ButtonStyles[variant],
        padding: '10px 20px',
        borderRadius: '5px',
        cursor: 'pointer',
        ...style,
      }}
      {...rest}
    >
      {children}
    </button>
  )
}

Naming Convention​

Components​

Home​

UX research point out that:

  • Feature a Broad Range of Product Types (6% Don’t).
  • Avoid Overly Aggressive and Distracting Ads (59% Don’t).
  • Implement Carousels Carefully (75% Don’t).
  • Assist the Selection of a Well-Defined Scope (62% Don’t).
  • Invest in Bespoke Imagery and Design (19% Don’t).
  • Make the Search Field Immediately Obvious (22% Don’t).
  • Implement Country & Language Selection Carefully (35% Don’t).
  • Ensure Visual Hit Areas Match the Actual Hit Areas (43% Don’t).

NNGroup article homepage design principles:

  • Ensure Easy Access to the Homepage:
    • Ensure every page includes both implicit and explicit links to the homepage.
    • Use a simple and predictable URL for your site.
    • Signpost your homepage by making it visually distinct from other pages.
  • Communicate Who You Are and What You Do:
    • Display the company name and logo prominently in the top left corner of the homepage.
    • Include a tagline that explicitly conveys what your site or company does.
    • Emphasize the unique value your site brings to your users, as well as how it differentiates from competitors.
    • Ensure that featured imagery accurately reflects your brand.
  • Reveal Content Through Examples:
    • Place the most important content above the fold, and lead users down the page when there is more content to see.
    • Provide specific examples of your site's content.
  • Prompt Actions and Navigation:
    • Include clear, descriptive link labels that resonate with your users.
    • Emphasize high-priority tasks with a clear visual hierarchy.
    • Locate primary navigation in a highly noticeable place.
  • Keep Homepages Simple:
    • Opt for simple, standard homepage designs.
    • Minimize motion and animation.
    • Provide immediate access to content.
    • Avoid popup windows and splash screens unless legally required.

Pricing​

Form​

Button​

Principles:

  • Align the primary button to the left edge of the inputs.
  • Put the back button above the form.
  • Put tangentially related actions above the form.
  • Place extra buttons based on what they do.
  • In some single field forms put the button next to the input (e.g. search button).
  • Put buttons on multi select forms above the form.

Card​

  • 异形: 圆角, 抽屉.
  • 颜色: 图片, 图标, 渐变.
  • 倾斜: 两端对齐, 中间倾斜.
  • 拟真: 票据, 银行卡, 信纸.
  • 破界.
  • 空间: z 轴堆叠.

User Experience​

High conversion rate can happen despite poor UX:

  • Strong brand power.
  • Aggressive urgency tactics.
  • Attractive prices.
  • Brilliant marketing.
  • Historical customer loyalty.
  • No alternative.

Friction​

消除不必要的摩擦，拥抱好的摩擦:

  • 重要操作: 多步认证, 双重认证.
  • 等待动画:
    • Overlap latency: 使长进程感觉更短.
    • Extra loading: 使短进程更有安全感.
  • 不必要的摩擦: 过多步骤, 多余确认, 不明导航, 视觉噪声.

AI Interfaces​

Design patterns for AI Interfaces:

  • Input UX, expressing intent:
    • Conversational AI is a very slow way of helping users express their intent.
    • Instead of writing prompts manually, it’s a good idea to ask AI to write a prompt to feed itself.
  • Output UX, displaying outcomes: AI output doesn’t have to be merely plain text or list. It must be helpful to drive people to insights, faster.
  • Refinement UX, tweaking output: Allow users to refine the output of AI.
  • AI Actions, tasks to complete: Allow users to initiate tasks that AI can perform on their behalf.
  • AI Integration, where work happens: Integrate AI into the user’s workflow and daily used tools.

References​

  • Awards: Best web design trends.
  • Pulse: Creative production company.
  • Off Menu: Design team for fast-moving founders.
  • Web Almanac: Annual state of the web report.