Design

Using, adapting and creating patterns

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Design patterns are evidence-based solutions to common design problems. You must start using them as soon as you begin making prototypes.

Following design patterns means you:

  • avoid repeating work that’s already been done
  • avoid making mistakes that others have already learned from
  • build on the research and experience of teams across government
  • make your service consistent with other government services

Where to find design patterns

In the GOV.UK Design System, you’ll find patterns on how to ask users for commonly-needed information like:

  • addresses
  • dates
  • gender or sex
  • names
  • National Insurance numbers
  • passwords

There are also patterns on how to help users do things like:

  • check a service is suitable
  • check their answers
  • confirm an email address
  • create a username
  • create an account

You’ll also find patterns for common page types like:

  • confirmation pages
  • question pages
  • start pages
  • task list pages

Creating or changing patterns

If research shows that none of the existing patterns meet the needs of your users, you can:

  • adapt an existing pattern
  • create a new pattern

You must contribute your findings back to the GOV.UK Design System.

Updates to this page

Published 18 October 2016
Last updated 11 April 2017 show all updates

  1. Added guidance on using beta patterns.

  2. Guidance first published