Cards: order, clarity and versatility
In interface design, cards have become an almost omnipresent resource. We see them on streaming platforms, online stores, content portals… and it is no coincidence. They work because they organize information the way the mind expects: in visual blocks that are easy to scan and understand.
A card is not just a box with content. It is a unit of meaning. It brings together image, text, action and context in a single component, and if it is well designed, it helps understand at a glance what is relevant and what can be done. Its adaptability makes it an especially useful tool both on the web and on mobile, where space and attention are limited.
What is a card?
When we talk about cards, we refer to visual blocks that group related content in a compact and delimited space. Its function is clear: to present structured information so that it is understood and, if necessary, acted upon quickly.
They are usually used to represent elements that repeat or share the same behavior: news, products, profiles, posts or resources. Each card acts as an autonomous unit, but maintains a recognizable structure within the set, which facilitates navigation.
This component is not only visual: it has functional value. It can contain interactive elements such as buttons, links, icons or even drop‑down menus. That is why it must be designed with attention to detail, both in its internal hierarchy and in its relationship with the rest of the interface.
The basic structure of a card
Although they can vary depending on the type of content and the digital product in which they are integrated, most cards share a common structure that makes them recognizable and functional. This structure allows the user to quickly identify relevant information and decide whether they want to interact with it.
- Image or icon: usually placed at the top or to the left. Provides immediate visual context. It can be a photo, illustration, icon or thumbnail. It is in many cases the first point of attention.
- Title: the main text. It should be clear, brief and hierarchically prominent. It serves as an entry point to understand what the card contains.
- Descriptive text or summary: one or two lines that expand on the title and help the user understand what they will find if they interact. It is advisable to limit the amount of text so as not to visually saturate the card.
- Action (CTA): buttons or links that allow action: “view more”, “read article”, “download”, “save”, etc. Actions must be clearly visible and not compete with each other.
- Metadata (optional): can include date, author name, category or number of views. These secondary data help contextualize the content without taking away from the prominence of the title.
- Container and spacing: the card must be visually delimited using a border, shadow or background. Internal spacing (padding) between elements must be sufficient so that each part breathes, and external spacing (margin) between cards must avoid the sensation of a compact or overcrowded block.
Types of cards according to content
One of the advantages of cards is their ability to adapt. We use them in many different contexts, and depending on the content they present, we can organize them as follows:
Informational cards
They are used to display textual content in a summarized and scannable way. They are common in blogs, newsletters, knowledge centers or educational platforms. They typically include a title, a brief summary, date and sometimes author name or category.
Examples of use: news, featured articles or content updates.
Navigation cards
They do not show extensive content, but instead help navigate the interface. They are used as visual access points to sections or functions.
They have little text, may include an icon or illustration and have a more modular and eye‑catching appearance.
Examples of use: visual menus, dashboards or themed portals.
Product cards
They focus on displaying relevant information about an item for sale or a service offered. They are very common in e‑commerce and digital catalogs.
Common elements are the product image, name, price, rating or availability and an action button (“buy” or “add to cart”).
Examples of use: online stores, service listings or comparators.
User or profile cards
They group key data about a person or entity. They may include a photo, name, role or function, and some contact data or an interaction button.
Examples of use: team profiles or directories, search results for people, reviews or testimonials.
Multimedia cards (videos, podcasts, sliders)
They display audiovisual content prominently. They include a thumbnail or representative image, along with the title and sometimes the duration or a play button.
Examples of use: playlists, podcast entries or featured content carousels.
Best practices in design
Although at first glance they may seem simple elements, cards only work well if they are well designed. Here are some principles we regularly follow in Torresburriel Estudio:
- Maintain a clear visual hierarchy: it should be easy to distinguish the title, secondary text and calls to action. We use fonts, sizes and spacing to mark this difference. Avoid that all text looks the same, it is the first step so that information is understood.
- Pay attention to spacing and alignment: internal padding helps elements breathe. External margin prevents cards from looking piled up. A base grid (for example, multiples of 8 px) helps maintain order.
- Use images proportionally: images should complement, not steal focus. They must be well cropped, aligned and in proportion with the rest of the content. The image should provide context, not distract.
- Respect accessibility: ensure correct contrast of colors, do not use only color to indicate states and make sure everything is keyboard navigable and readable by screen readers.
- Design with consistency across variants: if you use multiple versions of card (with image, without image, with button, etc.) they should maintain a coherent visual language. This helps the user understand them without having to relearn each time.
- Clearly indicate interactivity: if a card is clickable, it must look clickable. We use hover or focus effects and clearly differentiate the different interactive elements within the same card.
- Avoid content saturation: a card is not a full page. If the content is very extensive, better use a detail view or a modal, instead of placing everything in the card.
Over time, in many projects we have found that cards work because they adapt well to different needs. They help us present information without noise, organize content without imposing rigidity and give users clear entry points effortlessly.
There is no single way to design a “perfect” card, but there are principles we have come to value: visual clarity, coherence in the system, well‑resolved accessibility and a design that speaks the same language as the rest of the interface.
This is a translation of the following article from our corporate website:
