Pattern Documentation

Pattern documentation explains how to combine design system components to solve recurring design problems. Unlike component documentation that describes individual elements, pattern documentation addresses compositions and approaches for common scenarios. Effective pattern documentation guides consistent solutions across products.

What Is Pattern Documentation

Pattern documentation describes reusable solutions to common design problems using design system elements. Patterns might include form layouts, navigation structures, empty states, error handling, and onboarding flows. Each pattern combines multiple components with specific configurations to address particular user needs.

Patterns bridge the gap between individual components and complete interfaces. Components are building blocks. Patterns show how to assemble those blocks for common scenarios. Documentation ensures teams solve similar problems similarly rather than reinventing solutions.

How Pattern Documentation Works

Effective pattern documentation starts with problem description. What user need does this pattern address? What context makes this pattern appropriate? Clear problem framing helps readers assess whether the pattern fits their situation.

Solution documentation shows the pattern in action. Visual examples demonstrate appearance. Code examples show implementation. Component specifications list which components to use and how to configure them. Detailed specifications enable accurate reproduction.

Variations address common adaptations of the base pattern. A form pattern might have variations for single-column versus multi-column layouts, or variations for different validation approaches. Documenting variations prevents teams from creating unnecessary custom solutions when existing variations suffice.

Key Considerations

• Problem description should clearly explain when to use each pattern
• Solution documentation should include both visual and code examples
• Variations should address common adaptations to prevent unnecessary custom solutions
• Related patterns should link to alternatives serving similar needs

Common Questions

How do patterns differ from components in documentation?

Components are individual UI elements with documented props and behaviors. Patterns are compositions showing how to combine components for specific purposes. Component documentation asks what this component does and how to configure it. Pattern documentation asks what problem needs solving and how to solve it with available components. A button component has documentation. A form submission pattern uses buttons alongside inputs, labels, and validation displays to address form completion needs.

How do teams decide which patterns need documentation?

Pattern documentation priorities emerge from observed needs. Repeated solutions to similar problems across teams indicate patterns worth documenting. Inconsistent approaches to common scenarios suggest missing pattern guidance. User research revealing common tasks that combine multiple components identifies pattern candidates. Support questions about how to build specific compositions indicate documentation gaps. Teams should prioritize patterns that appear frequently and currently lack consistent solutions.

Summary

Pattern documentation explains how to combine components to solve common design problems. Effective documentation includes clear problem description, complete solution specification, and documented variations. Patterns bridge the gap between individual components and complete interface solutions.