After 18 Months of Developing a Design System that Creates Surprisingly Satisfying UIs, It’s Now Available as Open Source

Introducing LiftKit: An Open-Source Design System That Brings “Oddly Satisfying” UI to Life

In the ever-evolving landscape of user interface design, achieving a balance between aesthetics and usability is a continual challenge. Recently, I embarked on a journey to create a design system that elevates this experience, resulting in LiftKit—a versatile, open-source UI toolkit inspired by the subtle art of satisfying design.

Background and Inspiration

My name is [Your Name], a freelance Database Administrator operating under the brand Chainlift. Last year, I produced a YouTube video titled “The Secret Science of Perfect Spacing,” which gained a modest viral moment within the UI and design community. The positive response to that content motivated me to develop a comprehensive system that encapsulates these principles into a practical toolkit for developers and designers alike.

What Is LiftKit?

LiftKit is an open-source design system built primarily for React and Next.js environments. Its core philosophy revolves around creating UI components that evoke a sense of “oddly satisfying”—a harmonious blend of aesthetic appeal and user comfort. This effect is achieved through a unique, globally accessible scaling system based on the golden ratio, a timeless mathematical principle renowned for its natural aesthetic appeal.

Key Features and Capabilities

Golden Ratio-Based Scaling: All components and spacing utilize a consistent scale derived from the golden ratio, ensuring visual harmony throughout your interfaces.
Dynamic Theme Controller: Built-in with Material 3 dynamic color support, LiftKit offers an intuitive GUI for theme customization, enabling rapid experimentation and personalization. Watch a demo here.
Responsive and Extensible: Designed with flexibility in mind, allowing easy integration into existing projects and future expansion.

Getting Started

The first official release of LiftKit is available for developers seeking to incorporate beautiful, satisfying UI components into their applications. Whether you’re working with Next.js or React, you’ll find a solid foundation to build upon. For detailed instructions, documentation, and tutorials, visit the following resources: