UI Design

Golden Rules For a Clean UI Design

Clean UI design is all about simplicity, clarity, and usability. By following a few golden rules, you can create interfaces that feel modern, functional, and timeless. In this article, we’ll share six essential tips to help you achieve a clean UI design that stands out. Let’s get started!

A blue bucket filled with cleaning supplies, including a spray bottle and a yellow container, set against a gradient blue background. Transparent soap bubbles float around the bucket, symbolizing cleanliness and freshness.

Use Whitespace Generously

The first rule we’re going to share to help you achieve a clean UI design is to use whitespace generously. Doubling your whitespace and padding can sometimes make some of the messiest designs pleasant and simple.

A side-by-side comparison of two mobile app dashboard designs. The left design, marked with a red 'X,' features misaligned elements, inconsistent spacing, and overly crowded sections. The right design, marked with a green checkmark, shows improved alignment, consistent spacing, and a cleaner, more structured layout. Both designs include sections for 'Overview,' 'Latest courses,' and a prominent 'Start new course' button in purple.

Using whitespace helps achieve a clean UI design look

Limit Your Color Choices

Another golden rule is to limit your color choices. To do so, design in black and white first. You can craft an intentional layout and then highlight it with colors.

A side-by-side comparison of two mobile app dashboard designs. The left version, marked with a red 'X,' features inconsistent card colors and spacing, causing a cluttered appearance. The right version, marked with a green checkmark, has uniform card styles, consistent spacing, and a visually balanced layout. Both dashboards include sections like 'Overview,' 'Upcoming,' 'Mentors,' 'Courses,' and 'Latest courses,' with a prominent purple 'Start new course' button.

Example showing the difference when limiting color choices

Use Simple and Legible Type

The third rule is to use simple and legible type. Leave complicated and decorative type for big headlines. It’s much better to use simple type for paragraphs, labels, and everything else. It’s also vital that you use font styles, weights, and sizes with intent.

A comparison of two mobile app dashboards. The left design, marked with a red 'X,' exhibits uneven alignment and inconsistent font sizes, creating a visually cluttered appearance. The right design, marked with a green checkmark, displays a cleaner layout with balanced alignment, consistent typography, and an improved visual hierarchy. Both designs highlight 'Overview,' 'Upcoming,' 'Mentors,' 'Courses,' and 'Latest courses' sections, with a prominent 'Start new course' button in purple.

Using simple and legible type is a golden rule

Use Grids for Consistency

Using grids for consistency is another vital rule. The grid can help you achieve a better layout and composition, which goes a long way when it comes to consistency and alignment in UI design.

Two mobile app dashboards side by side with grid overlays. The left design, marked with a red 'X,' has misaligned elements that do not adhere to the grid structure, resulting in an unbalanced and disorganized layout. The right design, marked with a green checkmark, aligns all elements to the grid, creating a structured and visually appealing interface. Both designs highlight sections like 'Overview,' 'Upcoming,' 'Mentors,' 'Courses,' and 'Latest courses,' with a central 'Start new course' button in purple.

Grids help with consistency in UI design

Soften Shadows

To achieve a clean UI design, you need to soften the shadows. Light comes from the sky (think top of the screen), so it’s best not to use default shadows. Default shadows can appear too sharp when, in reality, they should be natural and soft.

Comparison of two mobile app dashboards. The left dashboard, marked with a red 'X,' has inconsistent spacing, uneven padding, and a cluttered design. The right dashboard, marked with a green checkmark, features consistent spacing, improved alignment, and cleaner visual hierarchy, offering a more polished and user-friendly interface. Both designs highlight sections like 'Overview,' 'Upcoming,' 'Mentors,' 'Courses,' and 'Latest courses,' with a central 'Start new course' button in purple.

Example showing the difference when using soft shadows

Avoid Trends

This rule is a must-follow if you want to create a clean UI design. Trends add to timeliness in different ways, so they are often inherently less clean. Design doesn’t have to be completely devoid of personality—but more often than not—less is more.

Side-by-side comparison of two mobile app dashboards. The left design, marked with a red 'X,' features a gradient button and inconsistent iconography, creating visual noise. The right design, marked with a green checkmark, showcases a cohesive interface with a solid-colored button and unified icons, resulting in a cleaner and more professional look. Both designs highlight sections such as 'Overview,' 'Latest courses,' and navigation icons at the bottom.

Less is more in UI design

Achieving a clean UI design doesn’t have to be complicated. By using whitespace generously, limiting colors, and focusing on consistency and simplicity, you can create interfaces that are both elegant and effective. Start applying these golden rules today and elevate your designs to the next level!

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Happy designing! 🤗