Design Principles
UMD’s Design System is rooted in industry standards and the foundations of user experience (UX) and digital design. As user needs and trends change over time, so too will the design system to provide a best-in-class experience. The design principles below ensure a consistent, seamless, and accessible website experience for all users while reflecting the university’s core values.
Maintain design & UX consistency.
Even though user goals and needs vary for all UMD websites, users want consistency in order to feel grounded in the experience. This strengthens our online brand.
Design with context.
A user for Undergraduate Admissions is different from a user for the Alumni Association. Keep these things in mind while designing. User goals in context should drive design decisions.
Work for every user.
Accessibility and inclusivity are ingrained in our daily work. Every student, faculty and staff member, and visitor should be able to access our websites, tools, and resources.
Reinforce UMD's core values, mission, & vision.
The university’s values and vision should be considered in all design decisions, including (but not limited to):
- Diverse representation in photography, video, and graphics
- Inclusive labeling and captioning
- Simple and accessible user flows
Evolve and adapt.
The UMD Design System is flexible, adaptable, and able to respond to changing needs and circumstances over time. This requires a focus on modular, scalable, and sustainable design. We will continually seek feedback from stakeholders on what works and doesn’t work; what should be added, changed, or removed to improve the system; and keep it up to date with changing trends in UX.