--- name: web-design model: standard description: CSS implementation patterns for layout, typography, color, spacing, and responsive design. Complements ui-design (fundamentals) with code-focused examples. version: "1.1.0" related: [ui-design, frontend-design, design-system-patterns] ---

Web Design Patterns

CSS implementation patterns for production-grade interfaces. For design fundamentals and decision-making, see ui-design. This skill focuses on code.

> See also: ui-design for typography/color/spacing theory, frontend-design for creative aesthetics.

Installation

OpenClaw / Moltbot / Clawbot

npx clawhub@latest install web-design

Layout Principles

Use CSS Grid for two-dimensional layouts and Flexbox for one-dimensional flow. Choose the right tool for each context.

| Layout Need | Tool | Why | |---|---|---| | Page-level structure | CSS Grid (grid-template-areas) | Named regions, explicit row/column control | | Navigation bars | Flexbox | Single-axis alignment, spacing with gap | | Card grids | Grid (auto-fill / auto-fit) | Responsive without media queries | | Centering | Grid (place-items: center) | Shortest, most reliable centering | | Sidebar + content | Grid (grid-template-columns: 250px 1fr) | Proportional sizing with fixed sidebar | | Stacking overlaps | Grid + grid-area: 1/1 | Layer elements without position: absolute |

Spatial Composition

Go beyond predictable layouts. Intentional asymmetry, overlapping elements, and grid-breaking accents create visual interest. Use grid stacking (grid-area: 1/1) instead of position: absolute for overlapping elements. Choose generous negative space for luxury/editorial aesthetics, or controlled density for data-rich interfaces — the choice must be intentional.

Typography

Typography carries 90% of a design's personality. Choose fonts that match the interface's purpose.

| Context | Display Font Direction | Body Font Direction | Example Pairing | |---|---|---|---| | Editorial / magazine | High-contrast serif | Neutral humanist sans | Playfair Display + Source Sans 3 | | SaaS dashboard | Geometric sans | Matching weight sans | DM Sans + DM Mono (data) | | Creative portfolio | Expressive display | Clean readable sans | Syne + Outfit | | E-commerce luxury | Thin modern serif | Elegant sans | Cormorant Garamond + Jost | | Developer tooling | Monospace display | Monospace body | JetBrains Mono + IBM Plex Mono |

Type Scale

Use a consistent ratio. A 1.25 (major third) scale works for most interfaces: text-xs 0.64rem, text-sm 0.8rem, text-base 1rem, text-lg 1.25rem, text-xl 1.563rem, text-2xl 1.953rem, text-3xl 2.441rem, text-4xl 3.052rem. Set body text to 1rem (16px minimum), line-height 1.5 for body, 1.1–1.2 for headings. Limit line length to 60–75ch.

Color

Building a Palette

Every palette needs five functional roles:

| Role | Purpose | Example Usage | |---|---|---| | Primary | Brand identity, primary actions | Buttons, links, active states | | Neutral | Text, borders, backgrounds | Body text, cards, dividers | | Accent | Secondary actions, highlights | Tags, badges, secondary buttons | | Success / Warning / Error | Semantic feedback | Toasts, form validation, status | | Surface | Layered backgrounds | Cards on page, modals on overlay |

Contrast and Depth

Create depth through surface layering, not just shadows:

:root {
  --surface-0: hsl(220 15% 8%);    /* page background */
  --surface-1: hsl(220 15% 12%);   /* card */
  --surface-2: hsl(220 15% 16%);   /* raised element */
  --surface-3: hsl(220 15% 20%);   /* popover / modal */
}

Use HSL or OKLCH for perceptually uniform color manipulation. Dominant color with sharp accents outperforms evenly-distributed palettes. Always verify WCAG contrast: 4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text.

Spacing

Consistent spacing creates rhythm. Use an 8px base unit (or 4px for dense UIs):

| Token | Value | Use | |---|---|---| | --space-1 | 0.25rem (4px) | Inline icon gaps, tight padding | | --space-2 | 0.5rem (8px) | Input padding, compact lists | | --space-3 | 0.75rem (12px) | Button padding, card inner spacing | | --space-4 | 1rem (16px) | Default element spacing | | --space-6 | 1.5rem (24px) | Section padding, card gaps | | --space-8 | 2rem (32px) | Section separation | | --space-12 | 3rem (48px) | Major section breaks | | --space-16 | 4rem (64px) | Page-level vertical rhythm |

Apply spacing consistently: use gap on Grid/Flexbox containers instead of margins on children. This eliminates margin-collapse bugs and simplifies responsive adjustments.

Visual Hierarchy

Guide the eye through deliberate contrast in size, weight, color, and space.

Hierarchy Techniques

| Technique | How | Impact | |---|---|---| | Size contrast | Hero heading 3–4x body size | Immediate focal point | | Weight contrast | Bold headings + regular body | Scannability | | Color contrast | Primary text vs muted secondary | Information layering | | Spatial grouping | Tight spacing within groups, wide between | Gestalt proximity | | Elevation | Shadows / surface layers | Interactive affordance | | Whitespace isolation | Empty space around key element | Emphasis through absence |

Practical Pattern — Card Hierarchy

Layer hierarchy within cards: eyebrow (xs, uppercase, muted) → title (xl, semibold) → body (base, secondary color, 1.6 line-height) → action (spaced apart with margin-top). Use surface color for separation and consistent padding from spacing tokens.

Responsive Design

Breakpoint Strategy

| Breakpoint | Target | Approach | |---|---|---| | < 640px | Mobile | Single column, stacked navigation, touch targets ≥ 44px | | 640–1024px | Tablet | Two-column options, collapsible sidebars | | 1024–1440px | Desktop | Full layout, hover interactions enabled | | > 1440px | Wide | Max-width container (1280px), prevent ultra-wide line lengths |

Fluid Techniques

Prefer fluid sizing over rigid breakpoints where possible:

/* Fluid typography — scales between 640px and 1440px viewport */
h1 { font-size: clamp(2rem, 1.5rem + 2.5vw, 3.5rem); }

/* Fluid spacing */
section { padding-block: clamp(2rem, 1rem + 4vw, 6rem); }

/* Intrinsic grid — no media queries needed */
.grid { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(min(100%, 20rem), 1fr)); gap: var(--space-6); }

Use container queries (@container) for component-level responsiveness when a component's layout should respond to its container, not the viewport.

Accessibility

Accessibility is not optional. Build it in from the start.

| Requirement | Implementation | Standard | |---|---|---| | Color contrast | 4.5:1 normal text, 3:1 large text / UI | WCAG 2.1 AA | | Keyboard navigation | All interactive elements focusable and operable | WCAG 2.1.1 | | Focus indicators | Visible :focus-visible ring, 2px+ offset | WCAG 2.4.7 | | Semantic HTML | Use ,