2021

Spatial System & Acceptable Variance

Design System
Case Study
Product
Project Description
A set of rules for how we measure, size, and space our UI elements and report defects.
Problem
Design teams face challenges in creating consistent and efficient user interfaces (UI) that seamlessly adapt to various devices and screen sizes. The goal is to establish a spatial system with clear rules for sizing and spacing UI elements, ensuring uniformity across the product and fostering better communication among designers, developers, and ITQEs. Additionally, a method for differentiating between content-first and design-first elements is necessary to create reusable components effectively.
Solution
The project began with a comprehensive analysis of the existing UI design challenges and requirements. A spatial system was developed and implemented, followed by the creation of the AV Checker Tool to maintain adherence to design guidelines. A 12-column grid was introduced to ensure a consistent layout and rhythm across pages. Clear distinctions were made between content-first and design-first elements when creating reusable components. Lastly, a hybrid approach to adaptive and responsive layouts was employed to optimize the user experience on various devices.
Process

Spatial System

Implement a set of guidelines for measuring, sizing, and spacing UI elements. This system would promote consistency across the product, enhance team communication, and reduce the number of daily decisions for designers, developers, and ITQEs.

AV Checker Tool

Develop a tool to check the acceptable variance for mockup and staging elements, ensuring adherence to the grid (8px/5px steps) and proper defect reporting.

Column Grid

Utilize a 12-column grid to organize content into evenly spaced vertical columns, allowing for efficient division of the layout into halves, thirds, fourths, and sixths.

Content-first and Design-first Elements

Clearly define and differentiate between content-first and design-first elements when creating reusable components, accommodating varying content lengths while maintaining design integrity.

Adaptive & Responsive Hybrid

Design layouts that are both responsive and adaptive, rearranging elements according to device-specific breakpoints and maintaining elasticity between breakpoints for a seamless user experience across devices.

Design Elements
Results

The implementation of the spatial system, AV Checker Tool, column grid, and differentiation between content-first and design-first elements led to a more consistent and efficient UI design. The adaptive and responsive hybrid approach ensured seamless user experiences across different devices and screen sizes. This comprehensive solution streamlined the design process, enhanced team communication, and ultimately resulted in a better product for end-users.

Tools Used
Project Links

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