This is a library of patterns and components to act as a personal reference point.

Design Patterns are common interactions and behaviour seen frequently across a large range of sites. They becomes the basis for accepted functionality and behaviour. Having made a number of Pattern Libraries as part of the web development work I have carried out over the years. I have decided to compile some designs as a small library here at chrlie.co.uk. The idea is to be descriptive and not prescriptive. As there is no way that such a library can be definitive. As with all libraries it will start small but hopefully grow over time.

There are also slightly more project centered design libraries that contain components. A component being a ‘chunk’ of a composite page that can be used over many pages in a modular site development. For example when redesigning AOL.co.uk, we produced a module catalogue, which described a range of 87 modules to be re used throughout the service. Its not possible to approach a redesign of hundreds of pages without reusing elements/modules/components.

There will be moments in this library where the notion of components and patterns blend. As some of the modules described in the library will be too specific to be a pattern, or to general to be a component. As a designer you move between general and specific design solutions. Between modules, chunks of pages, and creating experiences with whole sections of sites.

Personally I am very familiar with the idea of patterns and interaction behaviour. I’m excited by the recent work on the possibilities of components. If these are be pulled into frameworks then I’m intrigued. So I think I’ll be working through and researching these concepts in my head as I build this library out.

There are a lot of examples of pattern libraries on the web, and component based approach to web design. I believe mailchimps pattern library very elegantly summarises the benefits.

I have worked with alot of great front end developers and designers and I cannot begin to credit them enough with helping me and inspiring me. So thanks for all the help along the way. There is never a right way, but libraries can build consensus where there has been disagreement, and consistency when there has been difference.