#UX patterns
9 pieces filed under “UX patterns”.
Hover states with purpose
Hover is the most abused state in interface design — decoration where it should teach. A taxonomy of hover states that do a job, plus the focus-parity rules.
Reading progress indicators: craft or clutter?
The reading progress bar is the most faked detail on the web. The honest version: when long-form needs one, how to build it without jank or lies, when to skip it.
Anchor navigation on long pages: TOCs that get used
Tables of contents are either the hardest-working furniture on a long page or pure decoration. How we design anchor navigation that earns its pixels.
Article indexes people actually browse
Most blog indexes are a reverse-chronological conveyor belt. Here's how we design journal indexes that invite real browsing — lead stories, rhythm, and honest pagination.
Related-content modules that readers actually use
Most 'related articles' modules are decoration. Here's how we design, rank and measure recommendation modules that readers genuinely click — and when to delete them.
Bundles and kits: designing the build-your-own moment
The bundle builder as interface design: shelf metaphors, fill visuals, flat pricing, coupled inventory — and when a kit makes the product disappear.
Locale switchers without the flag clipart
Language switchers are small UI with big politics. Where the control lives, name-in-own-language rules, hreflang interplay, script support, and when to skip it.
Onboarding checklists without the nag
Checklists can activate users or train them to ignore your UI. Sequencing by value, dismissible design and honest progress — lessons from shipped onboarding work.
Onboarding that activates: patterns we keep, patterns we've banned
Activation-focused onboarding: value-first flows, honest commitment devices, the checklist patterns that still work, and the seven anti-patterns we refuse to ship.