Modal design pattern workshop
Workshop design • Facilitation • Content writing
Designers around Trade Me often asked similar questions about when it was suitable to use a modal when designing a user flow. I was tasked with establishing and documenting the design pattern and guidelines for how we use modals at Trade Me. To create a set of best practice guidelines with shared ownership among designers, I structured and facilitated a workshop with representation from designers across different business areas and office locations.
By collecting the input and knowledge of designers across Trade Me, then refining these into a design pattern, we were able to establish practical, applicable guidelines that were the result of a collaborative effort rather than a prescriptive set of criteria.
Designers from across the business put their hands up to get involved with forming the modal design pattern.
Reviewing existing modal behaviours from around the web as well as modals used on Trade Me. Going digital rather than using post its to brainstorm allowed for more even participation between office locations.
The ‘personality traits’ of the modal helped to form the characteristics used in the final guidelines.
Putting our ‘spirit guide’ hats on to come up with advice, rather than focusing on coming up with a list of strict do’s and don’ts.
The published design pattern sits alongside the UI component, as a reference for both designers and developers.