User Experience
Design Pattern
Plain English
It is the tried-and-tested design answer to a problem teams hit again and again.
Definition
A design glossaryPatternA pattern is a reusable solution to a design problem that recurs across products and contexts. It captures an approach already shown to work, so a team solves the problem once rather than every time it appears.Open glossary term is a standardised, documented approach to a recurring glossaryInterfaceAn interface is the point of interaction between a user and a system, where inputs are made and outputs are received. It can be visual, physical, or conversational.Open glossary term or glossaryInteractionInteraction refers to any action a user takes within a product and how the system responds. It includes clicks, taps, gestures, and inputs that drive the user experience.Open glossary term problem. It gives teams a shared answer to reach for, and gives users behaviour that matches what they have learned elsewhere.
In practice
Used to ensure familiarity and glossaryUsabilityUsability is how easy and efficient it is for users to complete tasks within a product. It focuses on clarity, simplicity, and reducing effort so users can achieve their goals without confusion or friction.Open glossary term.
In context
A glossaryPatternA pattern is a reusable solution to a design problem that recurs across products and contexts. It captures an approach already shown to work, so a team solves the problem once rather than every time it appears.Open glossary term glossaryLibraryA library is a collection of pre-written code that developers can use to perform common tasks.Open glossary term is only useful with the reasoning attached. Without the when and why, teams pick by appearance and use the wrong one confidently.
The reality
If reinvented badly, it causes glossaryFrictionFriction refers to anything that slows users down or makes it harder for them to complete a task. It can be caused by poor design, unnecessary steps, unclear messaging, or technical issues.Open glossary term.
Compared with
Design Pattern vs Anti-pattern
A glossaryPatternA pattern is a reusable solution to a design problem that recurs across products and contexts. It captures an approach already shown to work, so a team solves the problem once rather than every time it appears.Open glossary term is a solution that reliably works. An anti-pattern is one that recurs and reliably does not: carousels for important content, modals stacked on modals. Documenting the second saves as much time as the first.
Related Services
Related Guides
Related Terms
