Exploring Design Strategies for Improved Loading States

2 responses to “does this contrive scheme hold type a name? (blurred layout on-duty load)”

1. The design strategy you’re referring to, where a blurred or empty layout of a page is shown while content is loading, can be broadly categorized under “Skeleton Screens” or “Progressive Loading.” Let’s explore these concepts to see how they relate to the technique you described:

   Skeleton Screens

   Definition:
   Skeleton screens are placeholder layouts that mimic the structure of the page that is being loaded. They provide a visual cue of what the page will look like once the content is fully loaded. These screens typically use neutral colors, such as grays, and show shapes that represent the text, images, and other elements that will eventually appear.

   Purpose:
   – Reduce Perceived Load Time: By providing a visual indication that content is being loaded, skeleton screens make the wait time feel shorter and more engaging to users.
   – Improve User Experience: They give users a familiarity with the layout, reducing confusion and enhancing usability.
   – Minimize Layout Shifts (CLS): By allocating space for content during the loading phase, skeleton screens help stabilize the layout, reducing cumulative layout shift (CLS).

   Progressive Loading

   Definition:
   Progressive Loading is a broader concept that involves loading page elements in stages or progressively enhancing parts of the website to improve performance dynamically. This technique ensures that content is rendered in a way that users experience the most important elements first.

   Relation to Blurred Layouts:
   The blurred layout can be seen as a specialized form of skeleton screen or progressive load. Instead of showing skeleton outlines, a blurred version of the content area is displayed initially, potentially derived from a low-resolution or cached version of the page.

   Specific Naming

   Although the use of a blurred placeholder isn’t explicitly categorized under a widely recognized term beyond those mentioned above, it is an innovative blend of skeleton screens and progressive loading:

   • Blurred Skeleton Screen: You could informally refer to it as a “Blurred Skeleton Screen” since it serves a similar purpose with added aesthetics.
   • Background Placeholder Blur: A more descriptive term that communicates its function.

   Implementation Tips

   • CSS Styling: Use CSS to create a blurred effect using the filter: blur(5px); property on your placeholders.
   • JavaScript for Asynchronous Content: As content loads asynchronously, update these placeholders with the actual data and remove the blur effect.
   • React & Other Libraries: If using a library like React, consider using components that manage loading states and updates efficiently.

   Conclusion

   Implement

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2. This is a fascinating topic! The technique you’re describing is often referred to as a “skeleton screen” or “loading skeleton.” It improves the perceived loading time by displaying a placeholder that mimics the layout of the final content, which can greatly enhance user experience by reducing anxiety and the feeling of wait time.

   Moreover, using blurred layouts can also be a creative design choice, as it maintains user focus without revealing incomplete information that may lead to confusion.

   To minimize Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS), it’s essential to ensure these placeholders are of the same dimensions as the final elements. This will help avoid layout shifts when the content finally loads. Tools like Google’s PageSpeed Insights can be helpful for monitoring CLS and optimizing your loading states.

   I’d be interested to hear more about your experiences or challenges with implementing such techniques in your projects!

   Reply