| name | ui-design |
| description | Layouts, components, visual hierarchy, grid systems, and design systems for professional web interfaces. Defines rules for grid systems, whitespace, styleguides, design tokens, and UI patterns. |
UI Design
Professional web interfaces through systematic layouts, clear visual hierarchy, and consistent components.
Scope
Use this skill when: You are creating layouts, designing UI components, establishing visual hierarchy, defining grid systems, building styleguides or design tokens, or auditing existing interfaces for visual consistency.
Principles
1. User-Centered Design Over Aesthetics
Every design decision is guided by the needs of the target audience. An interface that is visually impressive but poorly usable has failed.
2. Visual Hierarchy Determines Perception
Size, color, contrast, and position control what users see first. Every page needs exactly ONE primary focal point.
3. Consistency Builds Trust
Identical elements must look and behave identically everywhere. Inconsistency increases cognitive load.
4. Reduction Is Strength
Every element without a measurable purpose must be removed. Whitespace is not wasted space -- it improves readability and focus.
5. The Grid Is the Foundation
Without a grid system, there is no professional layout. The grid enforces alignment, creates rhythm, and enables responsive design.
Rules
Layout & Grid
- DO: Use a 12-column grid as the basis for desktop (divisible by 2, 3, 4, 6).
- DO: Use an 8px baseline grid for all spacing (8, 16, 24, 32, 48, 64px).
- DO: Set a maximum content width of 1200-1440px.
- DON'T: Mix different grid systems within one application.
- DON'T: Place more than 3-4 content blocks side by side on desktop, or more than 1-2 on mobile.
Visual Hierarchy
- DO: Establish at least 3 hierarchy levels: primary (hero), secondary (features), tertiary (details).
- DO: Make the most important element at least 1.5x larger than the second most important.
- DON'T: Use more than 3 different font sizes within a single viewport area.
- DON'T: Place multiple equally weighted CTAs in the same viewport. One primary CTA per viewport.
Components
- DO: Use established UI patterns for standard interactions.
- DO: Define clear states for all input elements: default, hover, focus, active, disabled, error.
- DO: Include progress indicators for multi-step processes.
- DON'T: Invent new interaction patterns for standard tasks.
Whitespace & Spacing
- DO: Use generous whitespace between sections (min. 64-96px vertical on desktop).
- DO: Place related elements close together, separate groups far apart (Gestalt law of proximity).
- DON'T: Fill empty space with decorative elements.
Styleguide & Design Tokens
- DO: Create a UI styleguide BEFORE implementation: colors, typography, icons, buttons, spacing.
- DO: Use design tokens:
--color-primary, --spacing-lg, --font-heading.
- DON'T: Use magic numbers (hard-coded pixel values) instead of token references.
Patterns
Detailed pattern descriptions: see references/patterns.md
Hero Section
Large-scale visual + concise headline (max. 7 words) + subline + primary CTA in a contrasting color. Must communicate the core message within 3 seconds.
Card Layout (Bento Grid)
Modular cards in a grid. Each card is a self-contained information unit. Max. 6-9 cards in the initial viewport on desktop, 2-3 on mobile.
Split Screen
Two equally weighted halves -- one visual, one textual. Stack vertically on mobile.
Sticky Navigation
Header remains visible on scroll. Active section is highlighted. Max. height 64px.
Modals & Overlays
Centered overlay with a dimmed background. Clear close button. Focus trap. Escape closes.
Anti-Patterns
Overloaded Interfaces
Too many elements, too little whitespace, competing CTAs. Solution: One page = one primary goal.
Inconsistent Styles
Buttons that look different across pages. Solution: Create and enforce a styleguide.
Dark Patterns
Manipulative design (hidden unsubscribe buttons, confirm shaming). Solution: Every interaction must be transparent and in the user's interest.
Carousel as Content Strategy
Auto-carousels: only slide 1 is noticed (< 1% click rate on slides 2+). Solution: Static hero or manual tabs.
Scroll Hijacking
Overriding native scroll behavior. Solution: Preserve native scrolling, keep animations subtle.
Checklist
Cross-References
web-typography -- Font selection and sizing for hierarchycolor-theory -- Color systems and contrast rulesaccessibility -- WCAG compliance for all UI componentsusability -- Heuristics for user-friendlinessresponsive-design -- Grid behavior across breakpointsdesign-trends -- Current award-winning UI patternscomponent-patterns -- Technical component implementationvisual-direction -- Visual direction and style decisions
