gitlab-org--gitlab-foss/doc/development/contributing/design.md

---
type: reference, dev
stage: none
group: Development
info: To determine the technical writer assigned to the Stage/Group associated with this page, see https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/product/ux/technical-writing/#assignments
---

# Design and user interface changes

Follow these guidelines when contributing or reviewing design and user interface
(UI) changes. Refer to our [code review guide](../code_review.md) for broader
advice and best practices for code review in general.

The basis for most of these guidelines is [Pajamas](https://design.gitlab.com/),
GitLab design system. We encourage you to [contribute to Pajamas](https://design.gitlab.com/get-started/contribute/)
with additions and improvements.

## Merge request reviews

As a merge request (MR) author, you must:

- Include _Before_ and _After_
screenshots (or videos) of your changes in the description, as explained in our
[MR workflow](merge_request_workflow.md). These screenshots/videos are very helpful
for all reviewers and can speed up the review process, especially if the changes
are small.
- Attach the ~UX label to any merge request that impacts the user experience. This will enable Product Designers to [review](https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/product/ux/product-designer/mr-reviews/#stage-group-mrs/) any user facing changes.  
- Assign the Product Designer suggested by Reviewer Roulette as the reviewer of your merge request. The reviewer does not have to be the domain expert unless this is a community contribution.

## Checklist

Check these aspects both when _designing_ and _reviewing_ UI changes.

### Writing

- Follow [Pajamas](https://design.gitlab.com/content/punctuation/) as the primary
  guidelines for UI text and [documentation style guide](../documentation/styleguide/index.md)
  as the secondary.
- Use clear and consistent [terminology](https://design.gitlab.com/content/terminology/).
- Check grammar and spelling.
- Consider help content and follow its [guidelines](https://design.gitlab.com/usability/helping-users/).
- Request review from the [appropriate Technical Writer](https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/product/ux/technical-writing/#assignments),
  indicating any specific files or lines they should review, and how to preview
  or understand the location/context of the text from the user's perspective.

### Patterns

- Consider similar patterns used in the product and justify in the issue when diverging
  from them.
- Use appropriate [components](https://design.gitlab.com/components/overview/)
  and [data visualizations](https://design.gitlab.com/data-visualization/overview/).

### Visual design

Check visual design properties using your browser's _elements inspector_ ([Chrome](https://developer.chrome.com/docs/devtools/css/),
[Firefox](https://firefox-source-docs.mozilla.org/devtools-user/page_inspector/how_to/open_the_inspector/index.html)).

- Use recommended [colors](https://design.gitlab.com/product-foundations/colors/)
  and [typography](https://design.gitlab.com/product-foundations/type-fundamentals/).
- Follow [layout guidelines](https://design.gitlab.com/layout/grid/).
- Use existing [icons](https://gitlab-org.gitlab.io/gitlab-svgs/) and [illustrations](https://gitlab-org.gitlab.io/gitlab-svgs/illustrations/)
  or propose new ones according to [iconography](https://design.gitlab.com/product-foundations/iconography/)
  and [illustration](https://design.gitlab.com/product-foundations/illustration/)
  guidelines.
- _Optionally_ consider [dark mode](../../user/profile/preferences.md#dark-mode). [^1]

 [^1]: You're not required to design for [dark mode](../../user/profile/preferences.md#dark-mode) while the feature is in [alpha](../../policy/alpha-beta-support.md#alpha-features). The [UX Foundations team](https://about.gitlab.com/direction/manage/foundations/) plans to improve the dark mode in the future. Until we integrate [Pajamas](https://design.gitlab.com/) components into the product and the underlying design strategy is in place to support dark mode, we cannot guarantee that we won't introduce bugs and debt to this mode. At your discretion, evaluate the need to create dark mode patches.

### States

Check states using your browser's _styles inspector_ to toggle CSS pseudo-classes
like `:hover` and others ([Chrome](https://developer.chrome.com/docs/devtools/css/reference/#pseudo-class),
[Firefox](https://firefox-source-docs.mozilla.org/devtools-user/page_inspector/how_to/examine_and_edit_css/index.html#viewing-common-pseudo-classes)).

- Account for all applicable states ([error](https://design.gitlab.com/content/error-messages/),
  rest, loading, focus, hover, selected, disabled).
- Account for states dependent on data size ([empty](https://design.gitlab.com/regions/empty-states/),
  some data, and lots of data).
- Account for states dependent on user role, user preferences, and subscription.
- Consider animations and transitions, and follow their [guidelines](https://design.gitlab.com/product-foundations/motion/).

### Responsive

Check responsive behavior using your browser's _responsive mode_ ([Chrome](https://developer.chrome.com/docs/devtools/device-mode/#viewport),
[Firefox](https://firefox-source-docs.mozilla.org/devtools-user/responsive_design_mode/index.html)).

- Account for resizing, collapsing, moving, or wrapping of elements across
  all breakpoints (even if larger viewports are prioritized).
- Provide the same information and actions in all breakpoints.

### Accessibility

Check accessibility using your browser's _accessibility inspector_ ([Chrome](https://developer.chrome.com/docs/devtools/accessibility/reference/),
[Firefox](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Tools/Accessibility_inspector#accessing_the_accessibility_inspector)).

- Conform to level AA of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) [Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1](https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG21/),
  according to our [statement of compliance](https://design.gitlab.com/accessibility/a11y/).
- Follow accessibility [best practices](https://design.gitlab.com/accessibility/best-practices/)
  and [checklist](../fe_guide/accessibility.md#quick-checklist).

### Handoff

When the design is ready, _before_ starting its implementation:

- Share design specifications in the related issue, preferably through a [Figma link](https://help.figma.com/hc/en-us/articles/360040531773-Share-Files-with-anyone-using-Link-Sharing#copy-link)
  link or [GitLab Designs feature](../../user/project/issues/design_management.md).
  See [when you should use each tool](https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/product/ux/product-designer/#deliver).
- Document user flow and states (for example, using [Mermaid flowcharts in Markdown](../../user/markdown.md#mermaid)).
- Document animations and transitions.
- Document responsive behaviors.
- Document non-evident behaviors (for example, field is auto-focused).
- Document accessibility behaviors (for example, using [accessibility annotations in Figma](https://www.figma.com/file/g7QtDbfxF3pCdWiyskIr0X/Accessibility-bluelines)).
- Contribute new icons or illustrations to the [GitLab SVGs](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-svgs)
  project.

### Follow-ups

At any moment, but usually _during_ or _after_ the design's implementation:

- Contribute [issues to Pajamas](https://design.gitlab.com/get-started/contribute/#contribute-an-issue)
  for additions or enhancements to the design system.
- Create issues with the [`~UX debt`](issue_workflow.md#technical-and-ux-debt)
  label for intentional deviations from the agreed-upon UX requirements due to
  time or feasibility challenges, linking back to the corresponding issues or
  merge requests.
- Create issues for [feature additions or enhancements](issue_workflow.md#feature-proposals)
  outside the agreed-upon UX requirements to avoid scope creep.