For Content Managers
The UMD Design System offers premade components that allow you to quickly build out content to meet your site’s needs. With a full suite of components - including detailed Do’s and Don’ts for entering content - and multiple page templates to inspire you, this website is a robust resource for making the most of the UMD Design System.
Where to begin
The Components and Templates sections of this website are the most useful for planning, building, and enhancing your site’s content.
Components
Components are the building blocks of any website - think of them as puzzle pieces for placing content. Each component page provides visual examples as well as customized content and use recommendations. We strongly recommend that you follow these guidelines to provide the best user experience for your website.
Templates
Templates are layouts, or combinations of components on a page. The template pages show how to group components for the best user experience and provide examples of common page layouts and features. Browse these pages to see components in action and get inspiration for laying out your own website pages.
WORKING WITH INTERNAL RESOURCES & EXTERNAL VENDORS
In order to implement the UMD Design System, you’ll need help from professional website developers and designers. These individuals are experienced in working with design systems and can implement the UMD Design System on the CMS (Content Management System) of your choosing.
You may be a decision maker for your website, a content manager, or a liaison for internal or external resources doing design and development work for your website. Use the Components and Templates sections to develop a shared vocabulary with these resources (including important stakeholders) and to establish a mutual understanding of how components, pages, and branding elements should look on your website. This website is a reference and documentation tool for how your site should look and function.
The Components, Templates, Foundation, and Design Principles sections contain essential information that designers and developers can use to incorporate the UMD Design System onto your website. Everything that a designer or developer needs to implement the UMD Design System can be found on this website.
Have questions about the Design System?
Email questions to designsystem@umd.edu and we’ll answer your message as soon as we can.