UI Design Principles

Breakpoints

A breakpoint is the media query values that will mark the transition to a new class of devices. The design will use 2 breakpoints to create 3 types of device; mobile, tablet, and desktop. These breakpoints will be;

  • 720px - Transition from phone to tablet

  • 1024px - Transition from tablet to desktop

Limited support will be given for devices under 320px width.

LayoutBreakpoints

Mobile first approach

Designing with the mobile layout first will help separate the essential elements from the secondary ones. Once the mobile design questions are answered, designing for other devices will be easier. The mobile-first approach is also a content-first approach. The heart of the site is content — that’s what the users are there for!

MobileFirst

Build the mobile wireframe first, then use that as the model for larger breakpoints.

  • Avoid large graphics. Cater to mobile users with images that are readable on handheld screens.

  • Test it in a real device. Try the layout on a real phone or tablet. Nothing beats this approach for discovering how usable a website is.

Base layout

The Layout Shifter, the name coined by Luke Wroblewski in his article Multi-Device Layout Patterns, will form the bases of the design.

"This pattern does the most to adapt across different screen sizes. That is, different layouts are used on large, medium, and small screens."

LayoutShifter

Primary Menu

The application title and primary menu is rendered in the PrimaryMenu section. On mobile devices and tablets the PrimaryMenu will be rendered as a HamburgerMenu in the PageHeader, resulting in a pop-up menu when pressed.

On desktop devices the menu will be rendered on the left.

Page Header

The page header will display the active page name. This will make users aware of the screen/function in view.

The page header will host the HamburgerMenu on the left for mobile and tablet devices.

Main Control

Some pages will render a main control to render any primary actions for the page, or provide summary data. This section will follow the page title.

Content

The content section will follow the Main Control and is specific to each page.

The mobile and tablet layouts will typically not feature a footer section, unless usable on the specific page.

The Desktop layout will advertise the product name and version.