Item Detail Page Redesign: Adaptive Layouts For Enhanced UX

In the realm of user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design, the item detail page is a crucial element, especially for platforms dealing with a diverse range of items. A well-designed item detail page can significantly impact user engagement, satisfaction, and ultimately, conversion rates. This article delves into the concept of redesigning an item detail page with adaptive layouts, focusing on how tailoring the layout to the item type can enhance the user experience. We'll explore the current state of a generic item detail page, propose a type-adaptive design, discuss new components, outline documentation, provide test items for verification, and define the acceptance criteria for a successful redesign.

Understanding the Need for Adaptive Layouts

The need for adaptive layouts arises from the inherent diversity of items that may be displayed on a single platform. A one-size-fits-all approach, where all items are presented using the same layout, can lead to a suboptimal user experience. Imagine a scenario where a simple dagger and a complex magical staff, such as the Staff of the Magi, are displayed using the same layout. The dagger's details might be overshadowed by the excessive information fields, while the staff's intricate properties might not be highlighted effectively. This is where type-adaptive layouts come into play. By tailoring the layout to the item category, we can ensure that the most relevant information is surfaced prominently, making it easier for users to find what they need and make informed decisions.

Currently, the item detail page employs a flat accordion structure, treating all items identically. This means that a simple dagger receives the same layout as the Staff of the Magi, which boasts 50 charges, over a dozen spells, and special abilities. This uniformity fails to highlight the unique characteristics of different items, leading to a cluttered and overwhelming user experience. Users may struggle to find the specific information they seek, resulting in frustration and a potentially negative perception of the platform.

Proposed Design: Type-Adaptive Layouts

The proposed design centers around the concept of type-adaptive layouts, where the page structure and the elements displayed are tailored to the item category. This approach allows for a more focused and intuitive presentation of information, ensuring that users can quickly access the details that are most relevant to them. Specialized sections will be created for different categories, such as weapons, armor, charged magic items, and general items. Each section will highlight the key UI elements that are most important for that category.

Consider the following table outlining the proposed type-adaptive layouts with specialized sections:

Magic properties will overlay on base categories, ensuring that items like the Staff of the Magi display both weapon stats and a magic section. This approach allows for a comprehensive presentation of information without sacrificing clarity or ease of use.

Page Structure

The proposed page structure aims to create a logical flow of information, guiding users through the details in a clear and concise manner. The structure is as follows:

Hero (name, badges, image)
  ↓
Combat Stats (weapons/armor only)
  ↓
Magic Section (if charges/attunement)
  ↓
Spells Table (grouped by charge cost)
  ↓
Description (always visible)
  ↓
Quick Info (cost, weight, source)
  ↓
Accordion (abilities, data tables, prerequisites)

This structure ensures that the most important information, such as combat stats for weapons and armor, and magic-related details for charged items, are displayed prominently. The description, a crucial element for all items, is always visible, while additional details are organized within an accordion for easy access.

New Components

To implement the proposed design, several new components will be required. These components will be responsible for rendering specific sections of the item detail page and handling the logic for type-adaptive layouts. The following is a list of the new components:

• useItemDetail.ts: A type detection composable that determines the item category and selects the appropriate layout.
• ItemHero.vue: Displays the item name, badges, and image.
• ItemWeaponStats.vue: Renders damage, range, and properties for weapons.
• ItemArmorStats.vue: Displays AC, STR requirement, and stealth disadvantage for armor.
• ItemMagicSection.vue: Shows charges, attunement, and modifiers for magic items.
• ItemSpellsTable.vue: Presents spells grouped by charge cost.
• ItemQuickInfo.vue: Displays cost, weight, and source information.

These components will work together to create a dynamic and adaptive item detail page that caters to the specific characteristics of each item category.

Documentation

Comprehensive documentation is crucial for the successful implementation and maintenance of the redesigned item detail page. The following documents will be created to guide the development process and provide a reference for future modifications:

• Design Doc: docs/plans/2025-11-30-item-detail-page-redesign.md
• Implementation Plan: docs/plans/2025-11-30-item-detail-implementation-plan.md

The Design Document will provide a detailed overview of the design rationale, the proposed layouts, and the user experience considerations. The Implementation Plan will outline the steps required to implement the design, including component development, testing, and deployment.

Test Items for Verification

To ensure that the type-adaptive layouts function correctly and that all item categories are handled appropriately, a set of test items will be used for verification. These items represent a range of categories and complexities, allowing for thorough testing of the redesigned page. The following test items will be used:

• Simple Weapon: Longsword
• Ranged Weapon: Longbow
• Armor: Plate Armor
• Shield: Shield
• Complex Magic: Staff of the Magi
• Charged Item: Wand of Fireballs
• Potion: Potion of Healing
• Complex Wondrous: Deck of Many Things

By testing with these items, we can ensure that the layouts adapt correctly, that key information is displayed prominently, and that the user experience is consistent across all item categories.

Acceptance Criteria

The acceptance criteria define the conditions that must be met for the redesigned item detail page to be considered a success. These criteria cover various aspects of the design, functionality, and performance of the page. The following are the acceptance criteria for the redesign:

• [ ] Type-adaptive layouts render correctly for each item category
• [ ] Weapons show damage, range, and property badges prominently
• [ ] Armor shows AC, STR requirement, and stealth info prominently
• [ ] Magic items with charges show charges and recharge info
• [ ] Items with spells show spells grouped by charge cost
• [ ] All existing tests pass + new component/composable tests
• [ ] Mobile responsive
• [ ] Dark mode compatible

Meeting these criteria will ensure that the redesigned item detail page provides a superior user experience and effectively showcases the diverse range of items on the platform.

Conclusion

Redesigning the item detail page with type-adaptive layouts is a significant step towards enhancing the user experience. By tailoring the layout to the item category, we can ensure that the most relevant information is displayed prominently, making it easier for users to find what they need and make informed decisions. The proposed design, with its specialized sections, new components, and comprehensive documentation, provides a solid foundation for a successful implementation. By adhering to the acceptance criteria and thoroughly testing the redesigned page, we can deliver a user-friendly and visually appealing item detail page that meets the needs of our users.

For further reading on best practices in UI/UX design, you can check out resources like Nielsen Norman Group. 📝