Card
A card is a compact container used to present content and actions related to a single subject or topic. Cards often include a title, text snippet, visuals (e.g., an image or icon), and links or buttons. They help break up large amounts of information into smaller, more digestible pieces and offer a consistent, versatile layout across your application.
Usage
Content grouping: Cards group related information (text, images, buttons) in a visually distinct way.
Ease of scanning: They let users quickly scan multiple cards (e.g., a product list or news feed) to find what interests them.
Encourage interaction: Cards often include calls to action, such as “Learn more,” “Add to cart,” or “Share.”
Use cases
Displaying individual product listings or service offerings
Summarizing news articles or blog posts
Highlighting user profiles or social media posts
Not to be confused with
Modal: While a card displays content within the main layout, a modal (or pop-up) appears above the interface and requires user action (e.g., close or confirm) before returning to the main view.
Accordion: Accordions are used to show or hide sections of content within the same area. Cards usually present content immediately without requiring expansion or collapse.
Best practices
Focus on clarity
Make the card’s title concise and descriptive.
If images are used, ensure they’re relevant and high-quality.
Create a clear visual hierarchy
Use typography, spacing, or color to distinguish the title, body text, and action buttons.
Keep actions consistent
Place interactive elements (e.g., buttons, links) in a predictable location (often near the bottom).
If multiple actions are possible, highlight the primary one (e.g., “Buy Now”) with a distinct color or design.
Use responsive design
Cards should adapt to various screen sizes. On smaller screens, cards may stack vertically instead of showing multiple columns.
Maintain accessibility
Provide descriptive text for images (alt text).
Ensure color choices meet contrast guidelines and that interactive elements are keyboard navigable.
Avoid information overload
Keep card content concise. If you need more details, include a “Read More” or “Details” link instead of overfilling the card with text.
Use consistent design patterns for all cards (e.g., image on top, title in the same position, action buttons at the bottom) to help users easily recognize and interact with them.
