Traits
Traits describe the individual qualities within a design, from the way its shapes are arranged to the feeling of a surface. A single design can combine several, with some qualities more pronounced than others.
Explore 40 Traits across 20 paired spectra, with visual examples and ideas for how they can work together. For an overview of the seven Trait families and how they fit into the Library, visit the Glossary.
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Read more: Progressive As A Design Trait: Always One Step Ahead And Slightly Out Of Breath
Progressive As A Design Trait: Always One Step Ahead And Slightly Out Of Breath
Progressive design has to give its claim of progress something concrete to answer for. A silver finish can make an ordinary object look impressively concerned with the future; a different handle might change who can use it, with considerably less fanfare about tomorrow.
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Read more: Dark As A Design Trait: Not Gloomy, Not Edgy, Just Right Enough
Dark As A Design Trait: Not Gloomy, Not Edgy, Just Right Enough
Black has received quite enough credit for the price of a box's contents. Dark design becomes more particular through what remains visible: a reflection revealing the surface or pale lettering defining a point of entry. The strongest decisions concern which details deserve attention and how their differences survive the shadows.
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Read more: Mysterious As A Design Trait: The Art Of Withholding Just Enough That People Cannot Stop Looking
Mysterious As A Design Trait: The Art Of Withholding Just Enough That People Cannot Stop Looking
An ordinary object beside something of incompatible scale can remain puzzling in perfectly adequate light. Mysterious design gives uncertainty a specific subject, offering enough evidence for another look. How much can a composition withhold before an intriguing relationship becomes an indefinite promise of something just outside the frame?
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Read more: Transparent As A Design Trait: On The Radical Design Choice Of Having Absolutely Nothing To Hide
Transparent As A Design Trait: On The Radical Design Choice Of Having Absolutely Nothing To Hide
Generous space around the word ‘solutions’ makes it prominent without explaining the business. Transparent design gives information relationships that can actually be examined, making a label or comparison useful. Its most revealing question concerns what becomes understandable, especially when a beautifully ordered page still leaves the important condition unexplained.
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Read more: Serious As A Design Trait: Gravitas, Credibility And The Art Of Visual Weight
Serious As A Design Trait: Gravitas, Credibility And The Art Of Visual Weight
An imposing title raises expectations about what follows. Serious design gives an argument enough room to develop, including its qualifications and uncertainties. How much visual weight can the material justify before importance becomes the main thing being advertised?
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Read more: Warm As A Design Trait: Makes People Stay, Come Back And Recommend You To Their Friends
Warm As A Design Trait: Makes People Stay, Come Back And Recommend You To Their Friends
An orange interface can be profoundly unhelpful. Warm design earns a more persuasive welcome through details that acknowledge ordinary use, including instructions large enough to read. Familiar materials can suggest comfort, but the invitation becomes awkward when the practical experience appears to have missed the briefing.
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