interface design is pattern recognition: discernment of which form to apply and when, and sometimes (rarely) pattern creation

most interface problems have already been solved. there’s no need to reinvent the wheel each time. a good designer knows when to rely on a rich corpus of existing work, and when to push the envelope with something new or unexpected

systems cohesion and elegance: so-called “canonical interfaces” are much harder to cultivate and steward

Originally posted on X.