Design Pattern Structure

In my experience, design patterns are inadequate when they present the usual limited set of categories. To be effective, the structure of a design pattern must go beyond the typical structure. I took the structure of design patterns to the next level by defining:

• The name of the pattern, as well as other names that it might be called.
• A wireframed example.
• The interaction design problem it addresses.
• A summary of the solution to the problem.
• When it should and should not be used.
• Default behavior.
• Interaction behavior.
• Existing variations of the pattern.
• Exceptions to the pattern.
• The smaller components that comprise the pattern.
• Mobile and tablet considerations, including responsive Web design solutions.
• Accessibility considerations.
• Internationalization considerations.
• Usability and user research that supports the pattern.