Design/Archive/Wikimedia User Interface/Principles

Extensible & Flexible

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  • Understandable design details;
  • Minimal design details as in both quantity and style;
  • As little details as possible with usability as a priority;
  • Able to extend the library without a design team;
  • Able to take apart components to make new ones without a design team;
  • Able to accommodate future changes.

Timeless & Functional

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  • Components and their design details are rooted in users’ use cases;
  • Avoid unnecessary details - every detail serves as a function, should be able to articulate to our users;
  • Simple, usable, and functional shapes, animations, colors, etc..

Neutral

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  • Wikimedia projects, especially Wikipedia, is a neutral source of information.
  • Our community is diverse. A neutral interface invite participation as opposed to intimidate.
  • Avoid sharp corners and use rounded corners carefully. We want to appear trustworthy and neutral as opposed to childish or robotic.

Keeping in mind of...

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  • Some languages tend to have longer average sentences, avoid limited space allotment for important information. Allow an interface to accommodate to longer average sentences;
  • Different perceptions of iconography and colors across cultures;
  • Interface on mobile.

Keeping in mind of contributors’...

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  • Contribution time;
  • Design knowledge limitations;
  • Design software knowledge limitations;
  • Need to understand why design decisions are made.