# UI/UX Designer A skill that helps design beautiful, accessible UI components following the established design system. ## Trigger Phrases This skill activates when the user wants to design UI components: - "design a component" - "create a button/card/form" - "make this look better" - "design UI for" - "help me design" - "build a UI component" ## Instructions When this skill is invoked, follow these steps to create beautiful, accessible UI components: ### Step 1: Understand the Component Requirements Ask the user (if not already specified): 1. **Component type**: What UI element needs to be designed? (button, card, form, navigation, modal, etc.) 2. **Purpose**: What is the component's function? 3. **Content**: What content will it display? 4. **Variant**: Primary, secondary, or custom styling? 5. **Interactivity**: Does it need hover states, animations, or transitions? ### Step 2: Reference the Design System Always reference the design system from CLAUDE.md: #### Color Palette - **Primary (Blue)**: Use `--color-primary-500` for main actions and links - **Secondary (Purple)**: Use `--color-secondary-500` for accents and secondary actions - **Neutrals**: Use `--bg-primary`, `--bg-secondary`, `--text-primary`, `--text-secondary` - **Status Colors**: Use `--color-success`, `--color-error`, `--color-warning`, `--color-info` for feedback #### Spacing Scale (8px base unit) - **Component padding**: `--space-2` to `--space-4` (8-16px) - **Element spacing**: `--space-4` to `--space-6` (16-32px) - **Section spacing**: `--space-8` to `--space-12` (48-128px) #### Typography - **Headings**: Use `--text-xl` to `--text-5xl` with `--font-semibold` or `--font-bold` - **Body text**: Use `--text-base` to `--text-lg` with `--font-normal` - **Small text**: Use `--text-sm` or `--text-xs` - **Line heights**: Use `--leading-normal` for body, `--leading-tight` for headings ### Step 3: Design with Accessibility in Mind Ensure all components meet accessibility standards: 1. **Color Contrast**: Maintain WCAG AA standards (4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text) 2. **Keyboard Navigation**: Include `:focus` states with visible focus indicators 3. **ARIA Labels**: Add appropriate `aria-label`, `aria-labelledby`, or `aria-describedby` 4. **Semantic HTML**: Use proper HTML elements (` ``` ```css .btn { padding: var(--space-3) var(--space-6); font-size: var(--text-base); font-weight: var(--font-medium); border-radius: 0.5rem; border: none; cursor: pointer; transition: all 0.2s ease; } .btn:focus { outline: 2px solid var(--color-primary-500); outline-offset: 2px; } .btn-primary { background: var(--color-primary-500); color: white; } .btn-primary:hover { background: var(--color-primary-600); transform: translateY(-1px); box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0, 102, 204, 0.3); } .btn-primary:active { transform: translateY(0); } ``` ### Card Component ```html

Card Title

Card description text goes here.

Tag 1 Tag 2

``` ```css .card { background: var(--bg-secondary); border: 1px solid var(--border-color); border-radius: 1rem; overflow: hidden; transition: transform 0.2s ease, box-shadow 0.2s ease; } .card:hover { transform: translateY(-4px); box-shadow: 0 10px 30px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); } [data-theme="dark"] .card:hover { box-shadow: 0 10px 30px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4); } .card-image { width: 100%; height: 200px; object-fit: cover; } .card-content { padding: var(--space-5); } .card-title { font-size: var(--text-xl); font-weight: var(--font-semibold); margin-bottom: var(--space-3); color: var(--text-primary); } .card-description { font-size: var(--text-base); color: var(--text-secondary); line-height: var(--leading-relaxed); margin-bottom: var(--space-4); } .card-tags { display: flex; gap: var(--space-2); flex-wrap: wrap; } ``` ### Form Input Component ```html

Email Address We'll never share your email.

``` ```css .form-group { margin-bottom: var(--space-5); } .form-label { display: block; font-size: var(--text-sm); font-weight: var(--font-medium); color: var(--text-primary); margin-bottom: var(--space-2); } .form-input { width: 100%; padding: var(--space-3) var(--space-4); font-size: var(--text-base); background: var(--bg-primary); border: 2px solid var(--border-color); border-radius: 0.5rem; color: var(--text-primary); transition: border-color 0.2s ease, box-shadow 0.2s ease; } .form-input:focus { outline: none; border-color: var(--color-primary-500); box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(0, 102, 204, 0.1); } .form-input::placeholder { color: var(--text-tertiary); } .form-hint { display: block; font-size: var(--text-xs); color: var(--text-tertiary); margin-top: var(--space-2); } ``` ### Navigation Component ```html ``` ```css .nav { display: flex; gap: var(--space-6); align-items: center; padding: var(--space-4) var(--space-6); } .nav-link { font-size: var(--text-base); font-weight: var(--font-medium); color: var(--text-secondary); text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.2s ease; position: relative; } .nav-link:hover { color: var(--text-primary); } .nav-link:focus { outline: 2px solid var(--color-primary-500); outline-offset: 4px; border-radius: 4px; } .nav-link::after { content: ''; position: absolute; bottom: -4px; left: 0; width: 0; height: 2px; background: var(--color-primary-500); transition: width 0.2s ease; } .nav-link:hover::after { width: 100%; } .theme-toggle { background: var(--bg-secondary); border: 2px solid var(--border-color); border-radius: 50%; width: 40px; height: 40px; cursor: pointer; transition: all 0.2s ease; } .theme-toggle:hover { transform: scale(1.1); border-color: var(--color-primary-500); } ``` ### Modal Component ```html ``` ```css .modal { position: fixed; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; z-index: 1000; opacity: 0; pointer-events: none; transition: opacity 0.3s ease; } .modal.active { opacity: 1; pointer-events: auto; } .modal-overlay { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); } .modal-content { position: relative; background: var(--bg-primary); border-radius: 1rem; padding: var(--space-6); max-width: 500px; width: 90%; box-shadow: 0 20px 60px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3); transform: scale(0.9); transition: transform 0.3s ease; } .modal.active .modal-content { transform: scale(1); } .modal-close { position: absolute; top: var(--space-4); right: var(--space-4); background: none; border: none; font-size: var(--text-2xl); color: var(--text-secondary); cursor: pointer; line-height: 1; } .modal-title { font-size: var(--text-2xl); font-weight: var(--font-bold); margin-bottom: var(--space-4); color: var(--text-primary); } .modal-actions { display: flex; gap: var(--space-3); justify-content: flex-end; margin-top: var(--space-6); } ``` ## Best Practices ### Design - **Consistency**: Always use the design system colors, spacing, and typography - **Whitespace**: Use generous spacing for a clean, modern look - **Hierarchy**: Create clear visual hierarchy with size, weight, and color - **Responsive**: Design mobile-first, then enhance for larger screens - **Dark Mode**: Test all components in both light and dark themes ### Accessibility - **Contrast**: Ensure text contrast meets WCAG AA (4.5:1 minimum) - **Focus States**: Always include visible focus indicators - **Keyboard Nav**: Make all interactive elements keyboard accessible - **ARIA**: Use ARIA labels for icon buttons and complex widgets - **Semantic HTML**: Use proper HTML5 elements ### Performance - **CSS Variables**: Use custom properties for themeable values - **Transitions**: Keep animations under 300ms for snappiness - **Images**: Optimize and use appropriate sizes - **Reusability**: Create modular, reusable components ### Code Quality - **BEM Naming**: Use Block Element Modifier convention (e.g., `.card__title--large`) - **Mobile First**: Write base styles for mobile, then use `min-width` media queries - **Comments**: Add comments for complex CSS or non-obvious decisions - **Organization**: Group related styles together ## Responsive Breakpoints Use these breakpoints for responsive design: ```css /* Mobile: default styles */ /* Tablet */ @media (min-width: 768px) { /* Tablet styles */ } /* Desktop */ @media (min-width: 1024px) { /* Desktop styles */ } /* Large Desktop */ @media (min-width: 1440px) { /* Large desktop styles */ } ``` ## Animation Patterns ### Fade In ```css @keyframes fadeIn { from { opacity: 0; } to { opacity: 1; } } .fade-in { animation: fadeIn 0.3s ease-out; } ``` ### Slide Up ```css @keyframes slideUp { from { opacity: 0; transform: translateY(20px); } to { opacity: 1; transform: translateY(0); } } .slide-up { animation: slideUp 0.4s ease-out; } ``` ### Scale In ```css @keyframes scaleIn { from { opacity: 0; transform: scale(0.9); } to { opacity: 1; transform: scale(1); } } .scale-in { animation: scaleIn 0.3s ease-out; } ``` ## Notes - Always read CLAUDE.md before designing to reference the current design system - Test components in both light and dark modes - Validate HTML and check accessibility with tools like axe DevTools - Keep components modular and reusable - Use semantic HTML5 elements for better SEO and accessibility - Include smooth transitions for interactive states - Optimize for performance (minimize repaints/reflows) - Follow the minimal, modern aesthetic of the portfolio - Use vanilla JavaScript for any interactivity (no frameworks)

UI/UX Designer

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