Status
A status component is a concise visual indicator that communicates the current state, condition, or availability of an item, process, or user. It often appears as a color-coded label, dot, or icon. The goal is to quickly convey whether something is active, offline, pending, etc., without requiring users to read lengthy text descriptions.
Usage
Immediate Recognition: Use status indicators so users can gauge the state of an item at a glance (e.g., is it good to go, in-progress, or needs attention?).
Highlight State Changes: If the status can change in real time (e.g., system health, user presence), ensure it updates promptly.
Minimal Disruption: Unlike a full alert or modal, a status component is generally small and does not interrupt user workflows—only communicates or clarifies the state.
Use cases
A colored dot next to a username to indicate “Online,” “Idle,” or “Offline” status
A label or icon on an order indicating “Shipped,” “Delivered,” or “Canceled”
A badge signifying a user’s subscription status: “Active,” “Expired,” “Suspended”
Not to be confused with
Badge: A badge typically displays a numerical count or a short label attached to another element. A status might be a simple color or icon indicating a state, sometimes accompanied by text, but the focus is on state/condition rather than count or category.
Tag: A tag labels content (e.g., a category or attribute). While a status component can be text-based (like “Active” or “Pending”), it specifically communicates a dynamic state rather than a taxonomy label.
Alert: Alerts notify users about important events or issues. A status indicator is much more passive, simply reflecting a current condition without necessarily demanding user action.
Best practices
Use Clear Visuals
Rely on color codes that align with your design system (e.g., green for success/active, red for error/offline, yellow for warning).
Include an icon or shape (e.g., a dot, a checkmark) if it helps reinforce the meaning.
Pair with Text Where Needed
For accessibility and clarity, provide a textual label or tooltip (e.g., “Active,” “Offline”).
Purely color-based indicators can be problematic for colorblind users, so ensure there’s an alternative cue (e.g., a shape, an icon, or text).
Consistency
Maintain the same color associations and iconography across the product for similar states (e.g., always use green for “active,” red for “inactive” or “error”).
Place status indicators in a consistent position (e.g., top-right corner of a user avatar or object card).
Real-Time Updates
If status can change dynamically (like server health or a user’s online presence), ensure the component updates promptly.
Provide smooth transitions or simple animations (like a fade or color change) so users notice the shift without a jarring UI change.
Scalability & Flexibility
If you have multiple statuses (e.g., “Offline,” “Idle,” “Busy,” “Online”), ensure each has a distinct color/icon.
Document these states and their visual properties in your design system.
Accessibility Considerations
Add aria-label or descriptive text for screen readers (e.g., “User is offline,” “Order status: in progress”).
Ensure color contrasts meet accessibility guidelines so users with low vision or color vision deficiencies can distinguish each state.
Minimal Disruption
Status indicators should be small and integrated into the interface, not overshadowing other elements unless the status is critical.
If a state is extremely urgent, consider an alert or a banner to draw higher attention rather than relying solely on a small indicator.
Pair the visual indicator (color, icon) with a textual label or tooltip for clarity and accessibility (e.g., “Online,” “Offline,” “In progress,” etc.).
Summary
A status component is a simple, at-a-glance method of conveying an item’s or user’s current condition. By leveraging clear color schemes, optional icons, and textual cues, you can effectively communicate whether something is active, offline, in-progress, or requires attention—without disrupting the user’s flow. Consistent usage, accessibility support, and real-time updates (where appropriate) ensure a clear and seamless user experience that helps users stay informed about changing conditions.
