We’ve all seen them and we all need them – alerts and notifications. Those instant beeps, which sometimes can be a double-edged sword for both the UI/UX designer and the user.
Notifications and alerts have the purpose of delivering important information to the users, triggering different emotions and reactions. Even though notifications might come as overwhelming, their meaning is more important. Notifications and alerts carry the tools that can let the users know when an app might have trouble launching when new features and updates are available, and can also notify users when messages, friend requests, and emails arrive.
Notifications and alerts are the triggers we receive when something happens with the apps we are interacting with. They can have positive and negative outcomes and are the link between the app and the users
In UI design, alerts & notifications give users the possibility to access critical information or see certain news and advice about the app without entering it . They are the preview of what is happening in the app, and the resume of the activity that takes place there. Notifications and alerts have the ability to deliver fast and valuable guidance, details, directions, or knowledge that can be understood by the user at a glance.
An alert lets the users know when a problem occurs or when their actions might cause the destruction of data or certain inputs. Usually, alerts convey a more serious message that needs to be taken care of immediately, or as soon as possible.
On the other hand, notification requires your user's permission in order to appear. After agreeing, the user can access the settings and choose between certain types of notifications based on their style and urgency. Notifications happen in order to let the user know that a certain action has occurred or needs to start. Even more so, notifications do not require us to enter the app.
Depending on the platform and their purpose, in UI design, notifications have different anatomy:
- Banner or view-style notifications – These are used on a Lock Screen, Home Screen, Home view or desktop;
- Badge notification style – These are used over an app icon;
- Item notification style – These are used in the Notification Center.
As UI/UX designers, we should all be aware of the types of alerts that are available. Alerts are modal view elements that look different depending on the platform they are used on and the information they carry.
- Warning – Warning alerts are typically used to grab users' attention and convey important information about potential issues or actions they need to take. Use the color yellow to create an inline warning alert element.
- Error – Error alerts show users that they have incorrectly introduced the data into the input text or that the action has failed. This type of error is used in forms, lists, cards, sections, or modals. Inline errors in forms need to appear directly under the wrong input field. Use the color red to create an inline error alert element.
- Success – Success alerts show users that their action has been successfully finished. Use the color green to create an inline success alert UI element.
- Information – This type of alert is used to communicate non-critical information or provide users with helpful details. These alerts are generally used to enhance the user experience by offering additional context, guidance, or updates that are not urgent but can be beneficial for users. Use the color blue or grey to create an inline information alert UI element.
We at uinkits understand the importance of great user experiences and creating amazing UI designs. That’s why we’ve developed a Figma UI Kit with design components that include these essential UI elements that enable you to design intuitive and user-friendly interfaces effortlessly.
“You press the button, we do the rest.” – Kodak.
Inspired by this iconic tagline from Kodak, we believe in simplifying the design process for you. Our Figma UI Kit, uinkits, is a complete design system with UI components that allows you, as a UI UX designer, to create your products as quickly as pressing a button.
Our design system includes UI components, icons, variables, cards, buttons and everything you need for your design process. All you have to do is take your UI design component needed, and you’re ready to use it in your designs!
