Shadows in UI design help elevate the overall look and feel by adding depth and visual hierarchy, making the interface more realistic and intuitive.
They serve more than just decorative purposes, aiding in establishing visual hierarchy, conveying depth, and enhancing user interactions.
Types of shadows in UI design include drop shadows, which create the illusion of elements lifting off the background, and inner shadows, placed inside an element's borders.
Designing good shadows depends on the context and goal of the design, with softer shadows often preferred for a polished appearance.
Basic principles for using shadows effectively include opting for subtle shadows, maintaining consistency, matching shadow color to the background, and using shadows to signal interactivity.
Common mistakes to avoid when using shadows in UI design include overusing shadows, ignoring surface context, and skipping hierarchy based on component importance.
In Figma, drop shadows can be controlled through properties like X and Y axes, blur, and spread, with adjustments necessary based on the surface color for a realistic shadow effect.
Advanced techniques for shadows involve layering multiple shadows for more detailed effects and utilizing Figma plugins like Beautiful Shadows for efficient shadow creation.
Effectively applying shadows in UI design contributes to creating a more appealing and intuitive interface by enhancing visual elements, depth, and hierarchy.