UI Refactoring and Design

This skill applies tactical, logical rules to user interface design. It prioritizes clarity, hierarchy, and systems over "artistic talent."

Core Workflow

• Feature First: Do not start by designing a "shell" (nav bars, sidebars). Start with the specific functionality (e.g., the search form, the contact card).

• Low Fidelity: Ignore color, shadows, and fonts initially. Design in grayscale using a thick marker or basic wireframes to solve layout and spacing first.

• Define Systems: Do not use arbitrary values. establishing restrictive systems for spacing, type, and color immediately.

• Refine: Apply specific tactics for hierarchy, depth, and polish.

Domain-Specific Tactics

Consult these references for specific implementation rules:

• Making elements stand out/fit in: See hierarchy.md (Size, weight, contrast, semantics).

• Whitespace and alignment: See layout-spacing.md (Grids, spacing scales, density).

• Text and fonts: See typography.md (Type scales, line-height, fonts).

• Colors and palettes: See color.md (HSL, saturation, accessible contrast).

• Images, shadows, and polish: See depth-and-polish.md (Light sources, assets, finishing touches).

Quick Heuristics

• Limit Choices: If you can't decide between two options, you have too many choices. constrain your inputs (colors, font sizes, spacing) to a pre-defined scale.

• Personality:

• Serious/Elegant: Serif fonts, sharp corners, gold/blue colors, formal language.

• Playful/Friendly: Rounded sans-serifs, large border-radius, pink/orange, casual language.

• Complexity: Do not design for edge cases first. Design the "happy path" (simple version), then iterate for complexity.