Interface Lab
Back to knowledge
Interaction Responsive Motion

Breakpoint Recomposition, Not Scaling

Responsive design should recombine layout relationships at breakpoints instead of scaling everything by viewport.

Design Principle

Scaling type and containers causes unpredictable overflow; recomposition is more stable.

Principle

Scaling type and containers causes unpredictable overflow; recomposition is more stable.

Design action

Use CSS grid/flex breakpoints, minmax, clamped widths, and stable dimensions; do not scale font size with viewport width.

Examples

Positive example: Card grids, toolbars, tables, and canvases. Counterexample: Body text uses viewport-width font sizing.

Apply when

Card grids, toolbars, tables, and canvases. Content length is unpredictable.

Source notes

Source note: Synthesized from Apple HIG, Material Design, GOV.UK/Polaris/Atlassian component practices, and interaction accessibility principles. Apple HIG Motion: https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/motion Material Design Motion: https://m3.material.io/styles/motion/overview/how-it-works GOV.UK Design System Patterns: https://design-system.service.gov.uk/patterns/ Shopify Polaris Patterns: https://polaris-react.shopify.com/patterns Atlassian Empty State: https://atlassian.design/components/empty-state

Agent Directive

Use CSS grid/flex breakpoints, minmax, clamped widths, and stable dimensions; do not scale font size with viewport width.