Apple Design System

Create stunning, modern UI designs inspired by Apple's design language. This design system provides guidelines, components, and patterns for building clean, minimalist interfaces with attention to detail, smooth animations, and premium aesthetics.

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when:

• Designing portfolio websites or personal sites
• Creating landing pages or product showcases
• Implementing hero sections with visual impact
• Building card-based layouts for projects or products
• Adding glassmorphism or frosted glass effects
• Implementing smooth, delightful animations
• Creating dark mode compatible designs
• Designing navigation bars, modals, or forms
• Building contact forms or call-to-action sections
• Working with modern CSS features (backdrop-filter, gradients, shadows)

Quick Start

1. Core Design Principles

Minimalism: Remove unnecessary elements, focus on content Typography: Large, bold headlines with system fonts Colors: Neutral base with strategic accent colors Spacing: 8px grid system with generous whitespace Effects: Glassmorphism, soft shadows, smooth animations Imagery: High-quality, properly sized images

📖 Detailed guide: design-principles.md

2. Color System

/* Light Mode */
:root {
  --bg-primary: #ffffff;
  --bg-secondary: #f5f5f7;
  --text-primary: #1d1d1f;
  --text-secondary: #86868b;
  --accent-blue: #0071e3;
  --accent-green: #30d158;
  --border-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
}

/* Dark Mode */
@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
  :root {
    --bg-primary: #000000;
    --bg-secondary: #1d1d1f;
    --text-primary: #f5f5f7;
    --text-secondary: #a1a1a6;
    --accent-blue: #0a84ff;
    --border-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
  }
}

📖 Complete palette: color-system.md

3. Typography

/* System font stack */
font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'SF Pro Display',
             'Segoe UI', sans-serif;

/* Fluid responsive typography */
h1 {
  font-size: clamp(2.5rem, 5vw + 1rem, 4.5rem);
  font-weight: 700;
  line-height: 1.1;
  letter-spacing: -0.02em;
}

p {
  font-size: 1rem;
  line-height: 1.6;
}

📖 Typography system: typography-system.md

4. Spacing

Use 8px-based spacing scale:

:root {
  --space-2: 0.5rem;   /* 8px */
  --space-4: 1rem;     /* 16px */
  --space-6: 1.5rem;   /* 24px */
  --space-8: 2rem;     /* 32px */
  --space-12: 3rem;    /* 48px */
  --space-16: 4rem;    /* 64px */
  --space-24: 6rem;    /* 96px */
}

Core Components

Hero Section

<section class="hero">
  <div class="hero-content">
    <h1 class="hero-title">
      Hi, I'm <span class="gradient-text">Your Name</span>
    </h1>
    <p class="hero-subtitle">Developer creating amazing experiences</p>
    <div class="hero-actions">
      <button class="btn btn-primary">View Work</button>
      <button class="btn btn-secondary">Contact</button>
    </div>
  </div>
</section>

Glass Card

.glass-card {
  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
  backdrop-filter: blur(20px) saturate(180%);
  -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(20px) saturate(180%);
  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.2);
  border-radius: 20px;
  padding: 2rem;
  box-shadow:
    0 8px 32px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1),
    inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.2);
}

Project Card

.project-card {
  border-radius: 24px;
  overflow: hidden;
  background: var(--bg-secondary);
  box-shadow: 0 4px 24px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.08);
  transition: all 0.4s cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);
}

.project-card:hover {
  transform: translateY(-8px);
  box-shadow: 0 12px 48px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.12);
}

Navigation Bar

.navbar {
  position: fixed;
  top: 0;
  left: 0;
  right: 0;
  z-index: 1000;
  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);
  backdrop-filter: blur(20px) saturate(180%);
  -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(20px) saturate(180%);
  border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
}

Buttons

.btn {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 0.5rem;
  padding: 0.875rem 1.75rem;
  border-radius: 980px;
  font-weight: 500;
  border: none;
  cursor: pointer;
  transition: all 0.3s cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);
  min-height: 44px;
}

.btn-primary {
  background: var(--accent-blue);
  color: white;
}

.btn-primary:hover {
  transform: translateY(-2px);
  box-shadow: 0 8px 24px rgba(0, 113, 227, 0.3);
}

.btn-secondary {
  background: transparent;
  color: var(--accent-blue);
  border: 2px solid var(--accent-blue);
}

.btn-secondary:hover {
  background: var(--accent-blue);
  color: white;
}

📖 All components: components-reference.md

Animations

Hover Effects

/* Lift effect */
.hover-lift {
  transition: transform 300ms ease, box-shadow 300ms ease;
}

.hover-lift:hover {
  transform: translateY(-4px);
  box-shadow: 0 12px 48px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.12);
}

/* Image zoom */
.image-zoom {
  transition: transform 600ms ease;
}

.card:hover .image-zoom {
  transform: scale(1.05);
}

Entrance Animations

@keyframes fadeInUp {
  from {
    opacity: 0;
    transform: translateY(30px);
  }
  to {
    opacity: 1;
    transform: translateY(0);
  }
}

.animate-fade-in-up {
  animation: fadeInUp 600ms ease-out;
}

📖 Animation patterns: animation-guide.md

AI Assistant Instructions

When this skill is activated for Apple-inspired design:

1. Always Prioritize

• Clean, minimalist aesthetics
• Generous whitespace and breathing room
• Smooth, delightful animations (300-600ms)
• Dark mode compatibility
• Responsive design (mobile-first)
• Accessibility (WCAG AA minimum)

2. Component Creation Workflow

1. Start with semantic HTML structure
2. Apply modern CSS (flexbox, grid, custom properties)
3. Add glassmorphism for cards and overlays where appropriate
4. Implement hover states with subtle transitions
5. Ensure dark mode support using CSS custom properties
6. Test responsiveness at mobile, tablet, desktop breakpoints

3. Styling Approach

• Use CSS variables for all colors and spacing
• Apply system font stack for typography
• Implement soft shadows for depth (layered shadows)
• Add smooth transitions with proper easing
• Use clamp() for fluid typography
• Follow 8px spacing grid consistently

4. Never Do

• Use overly complex animations
• Ignore responsive design
• Sacrifice accessibility for aesthetics
• Use outdated CSS patterns (floats, !important)
• Forget dark mode considerations
• Animate width/height (use transform instead)

5. For Portfolio Sites Specifically

• Create impactful hero sections with large typography and gradients
• Design project cards with image zoom on hover
• Build clean navigation with blur effects
• Implement smooth scroll reveal animations
• Add contact forms with modern, accessible inputs
• Use glassmorphism strategically for visual interest

6. Code Quality Standards

• Write clean, well-commented code
• Use modern CSS features (grid, clamp, custom properties)
• Optimize for performance (GPU-accelerated properties only)
• Follow accessibility guidelines (ARIA, keyboard navigation, focus states)
• Provide both light and dark mode styles
• Use semantic HTML elements

7. When Suggesting Designs

• Provide complete, working code examples
• Include both HTML/JSX and CSS
• Show responsive variations (mobile, tablet, desktop)
• Demonstrate hover/active states
• Include accessibility considerations (focus states, ARIA labels)
• Reference templates from the templates/ folder when applicable

8. Reference Documentation

When users need detailed information, direct them to:

• Design philosophy: design-principles.md
• Color palettes & gradients: color-system.md
• Typography scale & hierarchy: typography-system.md
• Animation timing & patterns: animation-guide.md
• Component library: components-reference.md

9. Templates Available

Ready-to-use templates in ../../../.shared/skills/apple-design/templates/ folder:

• hero-section.html - Full-screen hero with gradient
• project-card.html - Project showcase cards with hover effects

Pre-built examples in ../../../.shared/skills/apple-design/examples/ folder:

• color-palette.css - Complete color system with utilities
• animations.css - Animation library with all patterns

Best Practices

Performance

• ✅ Animate only transform and opacity
• ✅ Use will-change sparingly
• ✅ Optimize images (WebP, lazy loading)
• ✅ Minimize backdrop-filter usage
• ❌ Avoid animating width, height, top, left

Accessibility

• ✅ Maintain 4.5:1 contrast ratio for text
• ✅ Provide focus indicators (2px outline, 2px offset)
• ✅ Use semantic HTML
• ✅ Add ARIA labels for icon-only buttons
• ✅ Respect prefers-reduced-motion
• ✅ Minimum touch target: 44x44px

Responsive Design

• ✅ Mobile-first approach
• ✅ Use clamp() for fluid typography
• ✅ Flexible grid layouts with auto-fit or auto-fill
• ✅ Test on real devices
• ✅ Breakpoints: 640px (sm), 768px (md), 1024px (lg), 1280px (xl)

Code Organization

• ✅ Use CSS variables for theme values
• ✅ Organize styles by component
• ✅ Keep specificity low (avoid nesting > 3 levels)
• ✅ Document complex calculations
• ✅ Group related properties (positioning, box model, typography, visual)

Quick Reference

Shadow Scale

--shadow-sm: 0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,0.04), 0 1px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.04);
--shadow-md: 0 4px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);
--shadow-lg: 0 8px 24px rgba(0,0,0,0.08), 0 16px 32px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);
--shadow-xl: 0 24px 48px rgba(0,0,0,0.12);

Border Radius Scale

--radius-sm: 8px;
--radius-md: 12px;
--radius-lg: 16px;
--radius-xl: 20px;
--radius-2xl: 24px;
--radius-full: 9999px;

Animation Duration

--duration-fast: 150ms;    /* Micro-interactions */
--duration-base: 300ms;    /* Standard transitions */
--duration-slow: 500ms;    /* Complex animations */

Easing Functions

--ease-in-out: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);
--ease-out: cubic-bezier(0, 0, 0.2, 1);
--ease-in: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 1, 1);

Resources

Official Apple Resources

• Apple Human Interface Guidelines
• SF Pro Font

Useful Tools

• Framer Motion - React animations
• Tailwind CSS - Utility-first CSS
• WebAIM Contrast Checker
• Coolors - Color palette generator

Internal Documentation

• 📖 Design Principles - Philosophy and guidelines
• 🎨 Color System - Palettes, gradients, dark mode
• ✏️ Typography System - Fonts, scales, hierarchy
• 🎬 Animation Guide - Timing, easing, patterns
• 🧩 Components Reference - Full component library

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Remember: Apple's design philosophy is about removing the unnecessary to let the essential shine. Every element should serve a purpose. Keep it simple, elegant, and focused on the user's needs.