BBC GEL | Design Patterns Homepage Accessibility links * Skip to content * Accessibility Help BBC Account Notifications * Home * News * Sport * Weather * iPlayer * Sounds * Bitesize * CBeebies * CBBC * Food * Home * News * Sport * Business * Technology * Health * Culture * Arts * Travel * Earth * Audio * Video * Live More menu Search BBC * Home * News * Sport * Weather * iPlayer * Sounds * Bitesize * CBeebies * CBBC * Food * Home * News * Sport * Business * Technology * Health * Culture * Arts * Travel * Earth * Audio * Video * Live Close menu Menu * Home * Guidelines * Foundations * Design Patterns * How-tos * Articles * Playbooks * About UX&D * BBC Staff Design Patterns Patterns are a simple, reusable solution to a design problem. Filter: * All * Web * App * TV Accordion An accordion is a vertical list of headers, users interact to reveal or hide content within them. They reduce page length and scrolling. * v1 * 13 Jul 2016 Account in apps Account in apps provides a way to sign in. It also gives you access to your account information. * Updates * 16 Mar 2017 App information The app information screen is where you access important 'read-only' app information. This doesn't include personal information. * v1 * 22 Aug 2016 Autoplay Autoplay takes you to the next audio or video item after the current one has finished. It supports a hands-free experience and allows complete control. * v1 * 18 May 2017 Bottom navigation Bottom navigation bars allow movement between primary destinations in an app. * v1 * 29 Jan 2019 Cards Cards allow you to preview and share content but also discover more information without leaving the page you're on. * Updates * 2 Jun 2016 Carousel A carousel presents a window to view a set of items where space is limited, while indicating there's more available to browse than what's currently shown. * Updates * 13 Oct 2016 Comments Comments allow the audience to join the conversation. They help create an engaging, participatory BBC. * v1 * 2 Dec 2019 Confirmation and error messages Confirmation and error messages in apps provide immediate feedback in response to your actions or system failure. * v1 * 26 Jan 2017 Content utilities Content utilities allow the user to interact with, or perform an action for a piece of content. For example, Add or Share. * v1 * 2 Aug 2016 External linking External links are styled differently to internal links to inform the user they'll leave the BBC domain. * v1 * 30 Jan 2018 Filter Filters help the user find what they're looking for. Allowing the user to refine content by selecting criteria that's relevant to their needs. * v1 * 18 Dec 2015 Games framework The Games Framework (Games GEL) helps us make consistent games and apps experiences for children. * Updates * 11 Apr 2024 Global search Global search allows users to search across the whole of BBC online. This guideline doesn't cover results pages or filtering. * v1 * 21 Aug 2015 Information panel An information panel stores helpful but not essential information. The panel appears over the content on the same page. * v1 * 21 Aug 2015 Inputs This guideline explains how to design form inputs across BBC online experiences. * v1 * 10 Aug 2020 Launch screen A launch screen is displayed after an app's launch instead of displaying a blank screen, this can decrease the sense of a long loading time. * v1 * 21 Nov 2016 Local search Local search allows the user to search for content within the product they're using, rather than globally. * v1 * 21 Aug 2015 Location settings Location settings allow the user to manage their location preferences across BBC products. Users can store multiple locations. * v1 * 19 Jul 2017 Masthead The masthead is at the top of every BBC page. It contains the global navigation alongside individual branding whilst retaining a familiar structure. * v1 * 7 Aug 2015 Numbered pagination Numbered pagination helps the user navigate through pages when there's a lot of content. * v1 * 7 Aug 2015 Onboarding Onboarding is the sequence of screens that appear before an app home screen. We use these to personalise the users experience. * v1 * 18 Oct 2016 Pocket The pocket pattern allows the user to reveal content without leaving the page. Avoiding overwhelming them with excessive amounts of content. * v1 * 6 Jan 2016 Preferred location Preferred location allows the user to set their location. Content across the BBC is personalised based on that location. * v1 * 5 Oct 2015 Promos A promo is a snippet of content which links to the full piece elsewhere on the BBC site or app. * v1 * 16 Dec 2015 Ratings Ratings lets you measure how good or popular a piece of BBC content is. You can see how others have rated and add your own rating based on a 1-5 scale. * v1 * 16 Apr 2019 Recommend­ations feedback Recommendations feedback allows you to give feedback on your personalised recommendations for use with the algorithmic personalised recommendations system. * v1 * 11 May 2017 Settings The settings screen allows the user to change how an app works to suit their needs. * v1 * 22 Aug 2016 Share tools Share tools allow the user to share BBC content on different social media platforms. * v1 * 22 Jun 2017 Side drawer menu A side drawer menu provides a quick and easy way to navigate around an app. * Updates * 29 Jan 2019 Sign in or register CTA The 'Sign in or Register' call to action is the only way a user can log in to access BBC websites & apps. This guideline applies to all versions of BBC account. * v1 * 29 Jul 2016 Tabs Tabs organise and tuck away content into panels which you can navigate between. They help show content in a small space. * v1 * 16 Dec 2015 Topic management Topic management provides the user with the ability to customise an app to suit their needs. * v1 * 6 Oct 2016 Explore the BBC * Home * News * Sport * Weather * iPlayer * Sounds * Bitesize * CBeebies * CBBC * Food * Home * News * Sport * Business * Technology * Health * Culture * Arts * Travel * Earth * Audio * Video * Live * Terms of Use * About the BBC * Privacy Policy * Privacy Policy * Cookies * Cookies * Accessibility Help * Parental Guidance * Contact the BBC * Make an editorial complaint * Careers * BBC emails for you * Advertise with us Copyright (c) 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.