The Core UI Principles

The Verbiage

The Universal Truth

Design dynamics are language-agnostic. Whether you're building with React, Vue, Angular, or vanilla JavaScript, the principles of visual hierarchy, container queries, and functional logic remain constant. These patterns transcend framework boundaries and apply to any technology stack.

Visual Hierarchy

Hierarchy is the arrangement of elements to signal importance. Users scan interfaces in predictable patterns: top-to-bottom, left-to-right (in LTR languages). Elements with greater visual weight—larger size, higher contrast, or strategic positioning—command attention first.

Container Queries enable components to respond to their own dimensions rather than the viewport. This creates truly modular, reusable components that adapt to their context. A card component can be narrow in a sidebar or wide in a main column, adjusting its layout based on available space.

Functional Logic separates presentation from behavior. The visual layer (how it looks) is independent from the functional layer (what it does). This separation allows designers to iterate on aesthetics without breaking functionality, and developers to enhance behavior without disrupting visual design.

The Verbiage

Container Query: A CSS feature that allows a component to respond to its own size rather than the viewport size. This enables components to be truly modular and context-aware.

Visual Hierarchy: The arrangement of elements to create a clear information structure. Achieved through size, contrast, spacing, and positioning.

Functional Logic: The separation of presentation (visual) from behavior (functional). This allows independent iteration of design and functionality.

Responsive Pattern: A design approach where components adapt to their container's dimensions, not just the viewport. This creates more flexible, reusable components.

The Blueprint

typescript

// ============================================
// Universal Pattern: Container Query
// ============================================
// This pattern works in any CSS framework

.container {
  container-type: inline-size;
}

.card {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 1fr;
}

@container (min-width: 400px) {
  .card {
    grid-template-columns: 200px 1fr;
  }
}

// ============================================
// Universal Pattern: Visual Hierarchy
// ============================================
// Hierarchy through size, contrast, spacing

.primary-heading {
  font-size: 2.5rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  color: #000;
  margin-bottom: 1rem;
}

.secondary-heading {
  font-size: 1.5rem;
  font-weight: 600;
  color: #333;
  margin-bottom: 0.75rem;
}

.body-text {
  font-size: 1rem;
  font-weight: 400;
  color: #666;
  line-height: 1.6;
}

// ============================================
// Universal Pattern: Functional Logic Separation
// ============================================
// Presentation layer (CSS)
.button {
  padding: 0.75rem 1.5rem;
  border-radius: 0.5rem;
  transition: all 0.2s;
}

.button-primary {
  background-color: #000;
  color: #fff;
}

.button-secondary {
  background-color: #f0f0f0;
  color: #000;
}

// Functional layer (JavaScript/TypeScript)
function handleClick(event) {
  // Behavior logic here
  // Independent of visual styling
}

The AI Context

text

Visual hierarchy is achieved through size, contrast, spacing, and positioning. Container queries allow components to respond to their own dimensions. Functional logic separates presentation from behavior. These patterns apply universally across all frameworks and technologies. Use container queries for modular components, establish clear visual hierarchy through typography and spacing, and maintain separation between visual design and functional behavior.