Core UI Components: Designing Elements and Interactions

You know what buttons, forms, and modals look like. But if you have ever second-guessed your component choices or struggled to explain them to teammates, you are not alone. Most tutorials show finished interfaces without revealing the reasoning behind each decision, leaving you to figure out the logic on your own.

This course breaks down the core UI components you will encounter in nearly every modern design project. You will learn how buttons, inputs, selection controls, cards, menus, and modals are structured, how they behave across different interaction states, and when to reach for each one. More importantly, you will understand the principles behind these patterns so you can apply them with confidence and communicate your decisions clearly.

The first half covers foundational elements: component anatomy, interaction states like hover and focus, button hierarchies and label writing, plus selection controls including checkboxes, radio buttons, and toggles. The second half focuses on organizing and presenting content through inputs, forms, progress trackers, cards, menus, and modals. Each section emphasizes practical decisions, covering which component fits which situation, how to style them consistently, and what makes them easier for users to understand.

This foundation also comes in handy when working with AI design tools. Understanding component principles helps you evaluate AI-generated interfaces with precision, identify what needs refinement, and communicate specific improvements using proper terminology. You could be designing from scratch or iterating on AI output; with this course, you will have the vocabulary and judgment to create interfaces that work the way users expect.

Component Anatomy and States Purposeful Buttons and Labels Selection Controls That Work Intuitive Inputs and Forms Versatile Cards, Menus, and Modals