Unstyled Component Libraries Are A Game Changer

Web Dev Simplified2 minutes read

Building a site often requires custom functionality, and unstyled component libraries provide customization while retaining pre-built features like complex select boxes. Developing a design system, especially for medium to larger projects, allows for customization, simplifies working in larger teams, and provides full control over design changes without worrying about library updates or conflicts, with Tailwind being recommended for this purpose.

Insights

  • Unstyled component libraries provide customization and accessibility features that traditional styled component libraries may lack, offering a balance between pre-built functionality and design flexibility.
  • Developing a custom design system can be advantageous for medium to larger scale projects, enabling tailored standards, streamlined team collaboration, and complete design control, with tools like Tailwind recommended for efficient system creation.

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Recent questions

  • What are the benefits of using unstyled component libraries?

    Unstyled component libraries offer customization while retaining pre-built features, providing the benefits of customization and accessibility features. They allow developers to tailor the components to match their site's specific design requirements without sacrificing the efficiency of pre-built features.

  • What are the differences between hook-based and component-based unstyled component libraries?

    Two types of unstyled component libraries exist: hook-based and component-based. Hook-based libraries, like the React Aria Library managed by Adobe, offer various components built around hooks for accessibility. On the other hand, component-based libraries, such as the Downshift Library by Kent C Dodds, focus on combo boxes, multi-select boxes, and selects.

  • How can developers enhance customization without default styles in component libraries?

    Base UI from Material UI offers both hook and component APIs for customization without default styles. By utilizing these APIs, developers can enhance customization options while maintaining control over the design of their components without being restricted by default styles.

  • What is the significance of creating a design system for medium to larger scale projects?

    Creating your own design system can be highly beneficial, especially for medium to larger scale projects. It allows for customization to meet specific standards, simplifies working in larger teams, and grants full control over design changes without concerns about library updates or conflicts. Tailwind is recommended for developing such design systems, offering efficiency and ease in the process.

  • How can developers handle complex features like custom select boxes and accessibility in component libraries?

    Libraries like React Select handle complex features like custom select boxes and accessibility. By utilizing these libraries, developers can easily incorporate advanced features into their projects without having to build them from scratch, saving time and effort in the development process.

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Summary

00:00

Customizing Site Functionality with Unstyled Component Libraries

  • Building a site often requires adding custom functionality like select boxes or date pickers.
  • Using pre-built components is efficient, but they may not match your site's specific design.
  • Unstyled component libraries offer customization while retaining pre-built features.
  • Traditional styled component libraries limit customization and can be challenging to modify extensively.
  • Libraries like React Select handle complex features like custom select boxes and accessibility.
  • Unstyled component libraries provide the benefits of customization and accessibility features.
  • Two types of unstyled component libraries exist: hook-based and component-based.
  • The React Aria Library, managed by Adobe, offers various components built around hooks for accessibility.
  • The Downshift Library by Kent C Dodds focuses on combo boxes, multi-select boxes, and selects.
  • Base UI from Material UI offers both hook and component APIs for customization without default styles.

11:19

Benefits of Tailwind for Design System Creation

  • Creating your own design system can be highly beneficial, especially for medium to larger scale projects, as it allows for customization to meet specific standards, simplifies working in larger teams, and grants full control over design changes without concerns about library updates or conflicts. Tailwind is recommended for developing such design systems, offering efficiency and ease in the process.
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