Briefle words · UI design
Shadow scale
Also called elevation tokens
A small, fixed set of shadow styles, from subtle to strong, where each level has a clear role.
Say it to an AI
Two-column kanban board with a card's action menu open. Use one light source from straight above and a tiny shadow scale: columns stay flat, every card gets the same subtle shadow, and the dropdown menu sits at the highest elevation with a larger, softer shadow and a hairline border.
How an expert would brief the stronger version of “Kanban board”.
See it
Try it as a puzzle →Task board in a team project tool, with a card's action menu open.
Why: B uses just two levels: a 1–3px shadow for cards and a 12–16px shadow for the dropdown. A's two shadows are in the wrong order: 12px of blur on the cards, 4px on the menu.
Related words
Room 5 · Spacing & layout
Learn “Shadow scale” in a five-minute lesson