Multi-Platform Design
Shared vs Platform-Specific
| Share Across Platforms | Adapt Per Platform |
|---|---|
| Brand identity | Navigation patterns |
| Color tokens | Touch vs mouse interactions |
| Typography scale | Platform UI conventions |
| Content structure | Input methods |
| Business logic | Screen density |
Platform Conventions
| Element | Web | iOS | Android |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary action | Button in UI | Nav bar right | FAB |
| Navigation | Top/side nav | Tab bar bottom | Drawer + bottom nav |
| Back | Browser back | Left swipe/back button | System back |
| Selection | Checkbox | Checkmark | Checkbox |
| Alert | Modal/banner | Alert controller | Snackbar/dialog |
Design System Strategy
- Token layer: Shared across all platforms
- Component layer: Platform-specific implementations
- Pattern layer: Shared patterns, platform-specific interactions
- Brand layer: Identical everywhere
Rules
- Respect platform conventions (don't put iOS patterns on Android)
- Core experience should be consistent (same features, same content)
- Each platform should feel native, not a port
- Design system tokens bridge the platforms
- Test on real devices (simulators miss performance and feel)