Design Patterns are the building blocks of good UI

Have you ever marveled at the effortless way LEGO bricks click together? It’s not just a matter of clever engineering; it’s a testament to brilliant design. Each brick is a standardized component, designed to seamlessly integrate with others. In the realm of user interface (UI) design, we have similar building blocks: design patterns.

What are UI design patterns?

Think of design patterns as pre-tested, reusable solutions for common UI challenges. These patterns serve as the LEGO bricks of UI design, providing a framework for crafting intuitive and efficient user experiences. By leveraging them, designers streamline their processes while ensuring consistency across various screens, platforms, and interactions.

Efficiency in design is crucial. Let’s explore design patterns that help users complete tasks with minimal friction:

• Autocomplete – think Google Search in action. As users type, autocomplete suggests possibilities, minimizing typing effort and errors. This results in faster input, improved accuracy, and a smoother user experience.
• Drag and Drop – Trello exemplifies this pattern beautifully. Users can effortlessly move cards between lists to organize tasks intuitively. By enabling direct manipulation, drag-and-drop simplifies complex actions and adds a layer of interactivity that feels natural.

Craft interactive experiences

Without focus and engagement, users will leave your flow before they reach their goal. Below are examples of UI design patterns that help eliminate distractions and guide users toward their goals:

• Inplace Editor – Google Sheets illustrates this pattern perfectly. Users can double-click on a cell to edit content directly within the spreadsheet. By removing the need to navigate to a separate editing screen, this pattern keeps users focused on the task at hand.
• Sequencing – Airbnb adopts a progressive form approach, allowing users to book accommodations step-by-step. This prevents users from feeling overwhelmed by a long, complex form upfront, ensuring a more engaging and focused experience.

Beyond efficiency, design patterns also play a role in guiding users intuitively:

• Progressive Disclosure – Amazon’s product filters exemplify this well. Users can expand categories like “Price” or “Brand” incrementally, refining their search without feeling overwhelmed. This pattern structures information in a digestible manner, enhancing usability.

If you are looking to explore more patterns or find inspiration, UI-Patterns is an invaluable resource. Our library offers:

• Detailed explanations of design patterns.
• Real-world examples of their use.
• Recommendations for effective implementation.

Use such tools to discover patterns that align with your project’s needs and learn from best practices in the industry.

A checklist to get it right

When implementing design patterns, keep this checklist in mind to ensure their success:

• Does it have clarity & contextual fit? Is the pattern clear and intuitive for users? Does it align with the task and user environment, enhancing usability without adding unnecessary complexity?
• Do you honor consistency & accessibility? Is the pattern consistently applied throughout the interface? Does it align with your brand’s design language? Is it inclusive and accessible for all users, including those with disabilities? Test it for keyboard and screen-reader compatibility.
• Does it perform cross-platform? Does the pattern function smoothly across devices and platforms? Have you minimized potential issues, such as slow drag-and-drop interactions?

Applying design patterns is an iterative process. Begin by identifying a pattern in your current project that could use improvement. Examples include:

• A complex form that could be streamlined using progressive disclosure, breaking the task into manageable steps.
• A static navigation menu that could benefit from sticky headers on long pages, ensuring essential navigation options are always accessible.

Assess the pattern using the checklist above, implement changes, and document the impact. Continuously refine to create a more user-friendly and intuitive experience.

Build a shared vocabulary around design

A UI design pattern is only a pattern if its re-used. It requires that your team starts speaking in UI Patterns. To aid this in everyday practice, we developed the UI Patterns card deck. It’s the perfect tool to help your team:

• Visualize design patterns and their real-world applications.
• Foster collaboration and discussion within your team.
• Accelerate the design process by providing a common language and shared understanding.

By using our card deck, you can elevate your design process, create more intuitive and engaging user experiences, and ultimately achieve your design goals.