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Visual Foundations

Spatial Progressive Disclosure

Spatial Progressive Disclosure turns a frequent interface judgment into an executable constraint before generation.

disclosurelayoutcomplexity

Design Principle

Progressive disclosure is not just hiding content; it spatially orders task entry, key results, and advanced options.

Principle Progressive disclosure is not just hiding content; it spatially orders task entry, key results, and advanced options.

Design action Show only task-critical fields by default; keep advanced options collapsed near their trigger and avoid covering the main feedback area.

Examples Positive example: Advanced filters, complex forms, configuration wizards, and analytics details need to serve novices and experts. Counterexample: All advanced settings are shown by default.

Apply when Advanced filters, complex forms, configuration wizards, and analytics details need to serve novices and experts. Users need to judge state, scope, risk, or next action quickly.

Source notes Source note: Synthesized from Apple HIG, Material Design, NN/g usability principles, and layout/hierarchy practices in mature design systems.

Agent Directive

Show only task-critical fields by default; keep advanced options collapsed near their trigger and avoid covering the main feedback area.

Apply When

  • Advanced filters, complex forms, configuration wizards, and analytics details need to serve novices and experts.
  • Users need to judge state, scope, risk, or next action quickly.

Avoid

  • All advanced settings are shown by default.
  • Irrelevant structure, copy, or decoration is added only to make the UI feel richer.

Knowledge Metadata

Category
Visual Foundations
Quality
84%
Version
v1
Published
6/6/2026