Cards

Cards are UI components that group related content to save space and reduce visual clutter. Each card contains different elements unified by a single concept.

Cards may include:

• Rich media (thumbnail image)
• Title
• Secondary text
• Hashtags
• Call-to-action buttons
• Key information

Card layouts are non-hierarchical—all cards hold equal importance. This makes them ideal for browsing interfaces rather than search, where users expect top items to be most relevant.

Cards require more space and scrolling than text lists. During search, this extra scrolling increases cognitive load, as users must rely more on short-term memory instead of seeing multiple items at once.

Tumblr, Pinterest, and Instagram demonstrate effective card usage in apps designed for entertainment and continuous scrolling.