Card

Card

What is a card?

A card is a design pattern that groups information into a container with a visually distinctive design. Usually rectangular in shape, cards often include an image and some text. They may also contain interactive elements to act on the card's content, such as a Learn More button.

Card-based layouts are useful for interfaces with similar sets of information, such as page listing members or employees or a site like Pinterest. They group related information effectively while maintaining a uniform user interface pattern. They are designed to provide a clean, organized way to present information, and can help users quickly find what they're looking for. Cards are often used in responsive design, as they can easily adjust to different screen sizes and provide a consistent visual experience across devices.

Explore the Intro to Cards lesson to gain a deeper understanding of what cards are in UX/UI design and their usage in design.

What are the different types of cards in UX design?

There are several types of cards in UX design, including:

  • Information cards display information, such as news articles, products, or profiles.
  • Action cards prompt users to take action, such as making a purchase or booking a service.
  • Media cards display media, such as images, videos, or audio.
  • Flip cards offer a dual-sided display, with different information or options on each side.
  • Grid cards arrange information or options in a grid layout.
  • Expanding cards expand to reveal more information or options when clicked or tapped.
  • Dashboard cards display information or statistics in a compact format, often used in dashboards or control panels.

These are some common types of cards in UX design, but there can be variations and combinations of these types, depending on the design and purpose of the product.

How are cards used in UX design?

Cards are a common element in user experience (UX) design, as they provide a visually appealing and compact way to present information. They are widely used in a variety of contexts, including:

  • Content presentation: Designers use cards to present articles, blog posts, images, videos, and other types of content in a neat, organized manner.
  • Product displays: E-commerce websites often use cards to display products, allowing users to quickly view product details, images, and prices.
  • Dashboards: Cards are perfectly suitable for dashboards to present data and compare and analyze different metrics.
  • Navigation: Cards can be used as navigation elements, allowing users to easily access different sections of an app or website.
  • Social media: Cards are popular in social media apps to display posts, updates, and other types of content.

In UX design, cards can be designed to be highly interactive, with elements like buttons, links, and hover effects and provide users with a seamless and engaging experience. Additionally, cards promote discoverability and exploration, as users can easily scroll through them and sort them to find the most relevant information.

Gain knowledge on how to design effective UI cards by taking our Best Practices for Designing UI Cards lesson.

UI Components I: Basic

Explore different card styles and learn tips for using them effectively

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