Material Design Guidelines

Google has launched a design framework – Material design, which is a comprehensive guide for visual, motion, and interaction design across platforms and devices.

Principles of Material Design

According to Google – “A material metaphor is the unifying theory of a rationalized space and a system of motion. The material is grounded in tactile reality, inspired by the study of paper and ink, yet technologically advanced and open to imagination

The foundational elements of design—typography, grids, space, scale, color, and use of imagery—guide visual treatments. These elements do far more than please the eye. They create hierarchy, meaning, and focus. Motion respects and reinforces the user as the prime mover. Primary user actions are inflection points that initiate motion, transforming the whole design.”

Google has specified guidelines to use Material Design in web and mobile apps. To use material design in website and apps, follow the guidelines defined in the material design specification .Most of the new components and functionality available in Android 5.0 phones and above.

The specs are very detailed and define exact specs for Elevation, Shadows, Object relationships, Animations, User input, Surface reaction, Material response, Radial action, user input, Surface reaction, Material response, Radial action, Visual continuity, Hierarchical timing, Consistent choreography etc.