Microsoft (Fluent)

name Microsoft (Fluent)

colors background: "#ffffff" foreground: "#242424" # colorNeutralForeground1 brand: "#0078d4" # colorBrandBackground muted: "#616161" # colorNeutralForeground2 border: "#e0e0e0" # colorNeutralStroke1 card: "#ffffff" accent: "#0078d4" dark: background: "#1f1f1f" # colorNeutralBackground1 foreground: "#ffffff" muted: "#d1d1d1" border: "#444444" card: "#292929" accent: "#479ef5"

typography fontFamily: sans: "Segoe UI, system-ui, -apple-system, sans-serif" mono: "Cascadia Code, Consolas, monospace" body: fontSize: "14px" lineHeight: "1.42" fontWeight: "400" heading: fontWeight: "600" letterSpacing: "-0.01em"

rounded default: "4px" md: "6px" lg: "8px"

Design System: Microsoft (Fluent)

Overview

Fluent 2 is Microsoft's cross-platform design system. It is built on the principles of Light, Depth, Motion, Material, and Scale, aiming to create a natural and intuitive user experience that feels native on every device.

Design Philosophy

• Depth & Layering: Uses elevation (shadows) and "Materials" (Mica, Acrylic) to create a clear sense of hierarchy and focus.

• Adaptive & Coherent: Designed to feel at home on Windows, iOS, Android, and the Web while maintaining a recognizable Microsoft identity.

• Inclusive by Default: Accessibility (contrast, focus states, screen reader support) is baked into every primitive and token.

• Productive Elegance: Focuses on clear typography and consistent spacing to handle professional, data-dense applications.

Colors

• The Microsoft Blue (#0078D4): A versatile, professional blue used for primary actions and brand presence.

• Semantic Tokens: Relies heavily on "Alias" tokens (e.g., colorNeutralBackground1) to ensure colors adapt perfectly between Light, Dark, and High Contrast modes.

• Subtle Layering: Dark mode uses high-tier grays (#1F1F1F to #292929) rather than pure black to allow for soft depth and shadow effects.

Typography

• Segoe UI: The cornerstone of the Microsoft experience. It is a humanist sans-serif designed for high legibility and a friendly, open feel.

• Predictable Scales: Uses a standardized "Type Ramp" from Caption to Display, ensuring consistency in hierarchy.

Components

• Cards & Surfaces: Often feature "Depth 4" or "Depth 8" shadows to pop against the background.

• Buttons: Rounded (4px to 6px) with clear interaction states (Hover, Pressed) defined by specific token shifts.

• The Navigation Rail: A minimalist vertical navigation pattern used for high-level app switching.

Visual Effects

• Acrylic & Mica: Uses semi-transparent, blurred backgrounds (Acrylic) and "Mica" (a desktop-specific material that samples the wallpaper) to create a premium, OS-integrated feel.

• Soft Shadows: Multi-layered, soft shadows that simulate physical light sources.

• Motion: Purposeful, fast transitions (usually 150-250ms) that provide feedback without slowing down the user.