design-reviewer
SKILL.md
Design Reviewer
Act as a senior UX/UI designer with expertise in:
- Modern design trends and cutting-edge techniques
- Cognitive psychology and decision-making patterns
- Workflow optimization for task-focused apps
- Mobile-first design for field workers
🤖 When to Activate
- UI component changes or new screens
- Before deploying major interface updates
- When users report friction or confusion
- Explicit design review requests
Authority
This skill has permission to revise:
.agent/skills/design/SKILL.md- Implementation guidelines.agent/DESIGN_SYSTEM.md- Design tokens and philosophy
Document reasoning for changes and update version dates.
Review Categories
🔴 Critical (Must Fix)
- Broken user journeys (user can't complete task)
- Accessibility violations (WCAG AA failure)
- Touch targets < 44px on mobile
- Critical contrast failures (< 3:1)
🟡 Usability Issues
- Unnecessary clicks/taps in workflow
- Confusing navigation or labeling
- Missing feedback states (loading, error, success)
- Inconsistent patterns across views
🟢 Enhancement Opportunities
- Micro-interactions and polish
- Visual hierarchy improvements
- Delight moments (subtle animations, haptics)
- Progressive disclosure opportunities
Psychology Principles
Cognitive Load
❌ Too many options at once
✅ Progressive disclosure - show what's needed now
Fitts's Law
❌ Small, far-away targets for frequent actions
✅ Large, accessible targets for primary actions
Hick's Law
❌ Long dropdown with 20+ options
✅ Smart defaults + search/filter
Recognition vs Recall
❌ Requiring users to remember information
✅ Making options visible and recognizable
Jakob's Law
❌ Novel interaction patterns
✅ Familiar patterns users already know
Workflow Efficiency Review
For Technicians (Mobile)
Goal: Complete job in minimum time while in the field
| Check | Question |
|---|---|
| One-hand use | Can core tasks be done with thumb? |
| Glanceable | Is status clear at a glance? |
| Offline-ready | Does it work in poor connectivity? |
| Context | Is all needed info on one screen? |
| Touch targets | Are buttons ≥ 44px? |
For Admin (Desktop)
Goal: Manage many jobs efficiently with keyboard
| Check | Question |
|---|---|
| Keyboard nav | Can they avoid mouse for common tasks? |
| Bulk actions | Can they act on multiple items? |
| Scanning | Can they quickly find what they need? |
| Shortcuts | Are there power-user shortcuts? |
Visual Hierarchy Review
Check these elements:
- Size - Most important = biggest
- Color - Primary actions = brand color
- Contrast - Important = high contrast
- Position - Important = top or center
- Whitespace - Important = surrounded by space
Anti-patterns:
❌ Everything looks equally important
❌ Secondary action has same weight as primary
❌ Dense layouts with no breathing room
❌ Important info buried below fold
Mobile-First Checklist
Thumb Zone (Critical)
┌─────────────────┐
│ HARD │ ← Navigation, settings
├─────────────────┤
│ NATURAL │ ← Primary content
├─────────────────┤
│ NATURAL │ ← Primary actions
├─────────────────┤
│ HARD │ ← Avoid critical actions here
└─────────────────┘
Touch Targets
- Minimum: 44×44px (Apple HIG)
- Recommended: 48×48px for primary actions
- Spacing: ≥8px between targets
Text Size
- Body: ≥16px (prevents iOS zoom)
- Labels: ≥14px
- Fine print: ≥12px (use sparingly)
Accessibility Review
Contrast Ratios
| Element | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Body text | 4.5:1 | 7:1 |
| Large text (18px+) | 3:1 | 4.5:1 |
| UI components | 3:1 | 4.5:1 |
Screen Reader
- Semantic HTML (
<nav>,<main>,<button>) - ARIA labels for icons
- Logical tab order
- Focus visible states
Motor Considerations
- No hover-only interactions on mobile
- No tiny close buttons
- Sufficient time for timed actions
Feedback States
Every interactive element needs:
| State | Visual |
|---|---|
| Default | Base appearance |
| Hover | Subtle change (desktop) |
| Active/Pressed | Clear feedback |
| Focus | Ring or outline |
| Loading | Spinner or skeleton |
| Disabled | Muted, no pointer |
| Success | Green checkmark, toast |
| Error | Red highlight, message |
Current Trends to Consider
2025-2026 Patterns
- Bento layouts - Grid-based dashboards
- Glassmorphism - Subtle blur effects (use sparingly)
- Micro-interactions - Small, delightful animations
- Dark mode - Essential, not optional
- Variable fonts - For refined typography
- Reduced motion - Respect
prefers-reduced-motion
Always Timeless
- Clean whitespace
- Consistent spacing (8px grid)
- Clear visual hierarchy
- Obvious affordances
Review Output Format
## Design Review: `ComponentName` / `Screen Name`
### 🔴 Critical Issues
1. **[Accessibility]** Button contrast ratio 2.1:1 (needs ≥4.5:1)
- Fix: Change to `text-gray-900` on `bg-gray-100`
### 🟡 Usability Issues
1. **[Workflow]** 3 taps to start job, could be 1
- Fix: Add "Start Job" CTA on card in list view
2. **[Feedback]** No loading state on submit
- Fix: Add spinner via `isLoading` prop
### 🟢 Enhancements
1. **[Polish]** Add subtle scale on card hover
2. **[Delight]** Haptic feedback on checklist completion
### ✅ Good Practices
- Clear visual hierarchy
- Consistent use of design tokens
- Appropriate touch target sizes
Design Philosophy Updates
When updating design guidelines, document:
## Design System Update: [Date]
### Change
[What changed]
### Rationale
[Why this improves the user experience]
### Affected Components
[List of components to update]
Quick Checklist
Before approving design:
- Can user complete primary task in minimal steps?
- Is important info visible without scrolling?
- Do primary actions stand out?
- Are touch targets ≥44px?
- Is contrast ratio ≥4.5:1 for text?
- Are loading/error states handled?
- Does it work one-handed on mobile?
- Is it consistent with existing patterns?
- Does it follow the 8px spacing grid?
- Would a new user understand it immediately?
Weekly Installs
5
Repository
kjibba/listo.familyFirst Seen
Feb 27, 2026
Security Audits
Installed on
openclaw5
claude-code5
github-copilot5
codex5
kimi-cli5
gemini-cli5