Design thinking and decision-making for web UI. Use when designing components, layouts, color schemes, typography, or creating aesthetic interfaces. Teaches principles, not fixed values.
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Design thinking and decision-making for web UI. Use when designing components, layouts, color schemes, typography, or creating aesthetic interfaces. Teaches principles, not fixed values.
when_to_use
When designing web UI components, choosing color schemes, typography, layouts, or creating aesthetic interfaces. NOT for mobile apps.
Frontend Design System
Philosophy: Every pixel has purpose. Restraint is luxury. User psychology drives decisions.
Core Principle: THINK, don't memorize. ASK, don't assume.
🎯 Selective Reading Rule (MANDATORY)
Read REQUIRED files always, OPTIONAL only when needed:
🔴 ux-psychology.md = ALWAYS READ. Others = only if relevant.
🔧 Runtime Scripts
Execute these for audits (don't read, just run):
Script
Purpose
Usage
scripts/ux_audit.py
UX Psychology & Accessibility Audit
python scripts/ux_audit.py <project_path>
⚠️ CRITICAL: ASK BEFORE ASSUMING (MANDATORY)
STOP! If the user's request is open-ended, DO NOT default to your favorites.
When User Prompt is Vague, ASK:
Color not specified? Ask:
"What color palette do you prefer? (blue/green/orange/neutral/other?)"
Style not specified? Ask:
"What style are you going for? (minimal/bold/retro/futuristic/organic?)"
Layout not specified? Ask:
"Do you have a layout preference? (single column/grid/asymmetric/full-width?)"
⛔ DEFAULT TENDENCIES TO AVOID (ANTI-SAFE HARBOR):
AI Default Tendency
Why It's Bad
Think Instead
Bento Grids (Modern Cliché)
Used in every AI design
Why does this content NEED a grid?
Hero Split (Left/Right)
Predictable & Boring
How about Massive Typography or Vertical Narrative?
Mesh/Aurora Gradients
The "new" lazy background
What's a radical color pairing?
Glassmorphism
AI's idea of "premium"
How about solid, high-contrast flat?
Deep Cyan / Fintech Blue
Safe harbor from purple ban
Why not Red, Black, or Neon Green?
"Orchestrate / Empower"
AI-generated copywriting
How would a human say this?
Dark background + neon glow
Overused, "AI look"
What does the BRAND actually need?
Rounded everything
Generic/Safe
Where can I use sharp, brutalist edges?
🔴 "Every 'safe' structure you choose brings you one step closer to a generic template. TAKE RISKS."
1. Constraint Analysis (ALWAYS FIRST)
Before any design work, ANSWER THESE or ASK USER:
Constraint
Question
Why It Matters
Timeline
How much time?
Determines complexity
Content
Ready or placeholder?
Affects layout flexibility
Brand
Existing guidelines?
May dictate colors/fonts
Tech
What stack?
Affects capabilities
Audience
Who exactly?
Drives all visual decisions
Audience → Design Approach
Audience
Think About
Gen Z
Bold, fast, mobile-first, authentic
Millennials
Clean, minimal, value-driven
Gen X
Familiar, trustworthy, clear
Boomers
Readable, high contrast, simple
B2B
Professional, data-focused, trust
Luxury
Restrained elegance, whitespace
2. UX Psychology Principles
Core Laws (Internalize These)
Law
Principle
Application
Hick's Law
More choices = slower decisions
Limit options, use progressive disclosure
Fitts' Law
Bigger + closer = easier to click
Size CTAs appropriately
Miller's Law
~7 items in working memory
Chunk content into groups
Von Restorff
Different = memorable
Make CTAs visually distinct
Serial Position
First/last remembered most
Key info at start/end
Emotional Design Levels
VISCERAL (instant) → First impression: colors, imagery, overall feel
BEHAVIORAL (use) → Using it: speed, feedback, efficiency
REFLECTIVE (memory) → After: "I like what this says about me"
Trust Building
Security indicators on sensitive actions
Social proof where relevant
Clear contact/support access
Consistent, professional design
Transparent policies
3. Layout Principles
Golden Ratio (φ = 1.618)
Use for proportional harmony:
├── Content : Sidebar = roughly 62% : 38%
├── Each heading size = previous × 1.618 (for dramatic scale)
├── Spacing can follow: sm → md → lg (each × 1.618)
8-Point Grid Concept
All spacing and sizing in multiples of 8:
├── Tight: 4px (half-step for micro)
├── Small: 8px
├── Medium: 16px
├── Large: 24px, 32px
├── XL: 48px, 64px, 80px
└── Adjust based on content density
Key properties:
├── Semi-transparent background
├── Backdrop blur
├── Subtle border for definition
└── ⚠️ **WARNING:** Standard blue/white glassmorphism is a modern cliché. Use it radically or not at all.
Shadow Hierarchy
Elevation concept:
├── Higher elements = larger shadows
├── Y-offset > X-offset (light from above)
├── Multiple layers = more realistic
└── Dark mode: may need glow instead
Gradient Usage
Harmonious gradients:
├── Adjacent colors on wheel (analogous)
├── OR same hue, different lightness
├── Avoid harsh complementary pairs
├── 🚫 **NO Mesh/Aurora Gradients** (floating blobs)
└── VARY from project to project radically
For EVERY design task:
1. CONSTRAINTS
└── What's the timeline, brand, tech, audience?
└── If unclear → ASK
2. CONTENT
└── What content exists?
└── What's the hierarchy?
3. STYLE DIRECTION
└── What's appropriate for context?
└── If unclear → ASK (don't default!)
4. EXECUTION
└── Apply principles above
└── Check against anti-patterns
5. REVIEW
└── "Does this serve the user?"
└── "Is this different from my defaults?"
└── "Would I be proud of this?"
After coding - Audit for accessibility, performance, and best practices
Post-Design Workflow
After implementing your design, run the audit:
1. DESIGN → Read frontend-design principles ← YOU ARE HERE
2. CODE → Implement the design
3. AUDIT → Run web-design-guidelines review
4. FIX → Address findings from audit
Next Step: After coding, use web-design-guidelines skill to audit your implementation for accessibility, focus states, animations, and performance issues.
Remember: Design is THINKING, not copying. Every project deserves fresh consideration based on its unique context and users. Avoid the Modern SaaS Safe Harbor!
5. Next.js 16+ Modern Form Patterns
[!IMPORTANT]
For Next.js 16+ projects, use the native next/form component instead of standard HTML <form> for all GET-based search/filter operations.
The <Form> Component Advantage
Automatic Client Navigation: Performs client-side transitions on submit.
Progressive Enhancement: Works even without JavaScript.
URL Sync: Automatically encodes input values into search params.