How to Create Beautiful Shadows in UI Design
Feb 3, 2025
·
2 min read
Great designers know that shadows should never look unnatural, as default shadows often do. Instead, they take the time to refine and customize them. In this article, we’ll explore how to create beautiful shadows in UI design that enhance depth and realism in your projects.
Soften shadows
To create beautiful shadows in UI design, you should start by softening them. Reduce the opacity and increase the blur to make them look more natural.
Inject a hue
In the real world, shadows are rarely pure black. Adding a subtle hue to your shadows makes them more realistic and visually pleasing.
Blur layers
Blur the layers to create beautiful shadows in UI design. Use layer blur techniques to generate soft and realistic image shadows.
Mimic the real world
Every shadow has two components: one created by directional light and another by ambient light. Mimicking this duality helps you craft realistic shadows.
Define elevation
Signal different elevation levels by adjusting opacity and blurriness. Smaller, sharper shadows indicate lower elevation, while larger, blurrier shadows signal higher elevation.
Shadow styles
Shadow styles help maintain consistency and reuse design rules. To create beautiful shadows in UI design, follow these steps in Figma:
Add a drop shadow
Press the styles icon
Create the style
Styles help us reuse design rules and stay consistent in our UIs.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of shadows is essential to creating depth and dimension in your designs. By following these tips, you can create beautiful shadows in UI design that are natural, consistent, and visually appealing. Start experimenting today to elevate your UI projects.
Soften shadows
To create beautiful shadows in UI design, you should start by softening them. Reduce the opacity and increase the blur to make them look more natural.
Inject a hue
In the real world, shadows are rarely pure black. Adding a subtle hue to your shadows makes them more realistic and visually pleasing.
Blur layers
Blur the layers to create beautiful shadows in UI design. Use layer blur techniques to generate soft and realistic image shadows.
Mimic the real world
Every shadow has two components: one created by directional light and another by ambient light. Mimicking this duality helps you craft realistic shadows.
Define elevation
Signal different elevation levels by adjusting opacity and blurriness. Smaller, sharper shadows indicate lower elevation, while larger, blurrier shadows signal higher elevation.
Shadow styles
Shadow styles help maintain consistency and reuse design rules. To create beautiful shadows in UI design, follow these steps in Figma:
Add a drop shadow
Press the styles icon
Create the style
Styles help us reuse design rules and stay consistent in our UIs.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of shadows is essential to creating depth and dimension in your designs. By following these tips, you can create beautiful shadows in UI design that are natural, consistent, and visually appealing. Start experimenting today to elevate your UI projects.
If you aren't following us on Instagram already, you're seriously missing out! Become a part of our ever-growing community and learn something new from the field of product design every. single. day.
Happy designing! 🥳
andrija & supercharge design team
If you aren't following us on Instagram already, you're seriously missing out! Become a part of our ever-growing community and learn something new from the field of product design every. single. day.
Happy designing! 🥳
andrija & supercharge design team
