zero·style

Dictionary entry

interactive states

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UI / UXCurated · verified

The different looks a component takes on as a user interacts with it — such as default, hover, focus, active/pressed, selected, and disabled. A design system defines each so the same control looks and behaves consistently everywhere.

Synonyms

  • component states
  • ui states

Related terms

In plain words

  • how a button looks when it's normal, hovered, clicked, or switched off

Usage example

The design system specifies all five interactive states for the toggle, including its disabled look.

Don't confuse with…

  • empty stateInteractive states are how one control looks as you use it; an empty state is a whole screen shown when there's no content yet.

Categories

  • Design systems

Related-term graph

Two hops from interactive states — click a term to open its entry, or re-center the graph on it

Directly related

Two hops away

  • Relatedinteractive states related of empty state
  • Relatedinteractive states related of error state
  • Relatedinteractive states related of feedback
  • Relatedinteractive states related of focus indicator
  • Relatedfeedback related of affordance
  • Relatederror state related of empty state
  • Relatederror state related of error message
  • Relatedempty state related of error state
  • Relatedfocus indicator related of keyboard navigation
  • Relatedfeedback related of loading indicator
  • Relatedfocus indicator related of non-text contrast
  • Relatedfocus indicator related of reading order
  • Relatedfocus indicator related of skip link
  • Relatedfeedback related of visibility of system status

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