The curatorial dictionary · Glossary

The index of
web design terminology.

An editorial glossary of UX, UI, accessibility, performance, and front-end development vocabulary used across the Web Design Awards archive. Each entry defines the concept, names common patterns, and links back to the award-winning digital work where the language shows up in practice — search by keyword, jump by letter, and study how studios put each term to use.

96 entries · 96 in-depth · 25 sections

Browse by letter.

Showing all 96 terms
A
7 entries
Terms that begin with A.
A/B Testing
What is A/B Testing

A method of comparing two versions of a webpage or app to see which one performs better.

Accessibility
What is Accessibility

Designing websites and applications accessible to all users, including those with disabilities.

Affinity Diagram
What is Affinity Diagram

A color scheme involving three colors equally spaced around the color wheel, providing vibrant contrasts.

Affordance
What is Affordance

A design feature that suggests how an object should be used.

Alignment
What is Alignment

The arrangement of elements to line up in a straight line or grid to create order and alignment.

Analogous Color Scheme
What is Analogous Color Scheme

A color scheme that uses colors that are next to each other on the color wheel.

Augmented Reality (AR)
What is Augmented Reality (AR)

An interactive experience of a real-world environment where objects are enhanced by computer-generated perceptual information.

B
3 entries
Terms that begin with B.
C
9 entries
Terms that begin with C.
Call to Action (CTA)
What is Call to Action (CTA)

A button or link placed on a webpage encouraging users to take an action.

Card Sorting
What is Card Sorting

A user experience research technique where participants organize topics into categories.

Color Contrast
What is Color Contrast

The difference in luminance or color that makes an object distinguishable.

Color Palette
What is Color Palette

A selection of colors that are used consistently throughout a design.

Content Strategy
What is Content Strategy

The planning, creation, and management of content.

Contextual Inquiry
What is Contextual Inquiry

A research method used to understand the context of a user's interactions with products.

Contrast Ratio
What is Contrast Ratio

The ratio of the luminance of the bright color to the dark color in web design.

Conversion Rate
What is Conversion Rate

The percentage of visitors who take the desired action.

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)
What is CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)

A style sheet language used for describing the presentation of a document written in HTML.

D
5 entries
Terms that begin with D.
E
3 entries
Terms that begin with E.
F
7 entries
Terms that begin with F.
G
4 entries
Terms that begin with G.
H
5 entries
Terms that begin with H.
I
5 entries
Terms that begin with I.
J
1 entry
Terms that begin with J.
K
1 entry
Terms that begin with K.
L
2 entries
Terms that begin with L.
M
5 entries
Terms that begin with M.
N
3 entries
Terms that begin with N.
O
2 entries
Terms that begin with O.
P
5 entries
Terms that begin with P.
Q
2 entries
Terms that begin with Q.
R
2 entries
Terms that begin with R.
S
6 entries
Terms that begin with S.
T
1 entry
Terms that begin with T.
U
9 entries
Terms that begin with U.
UI (User Interface)
What is UI (User Interface)

Ten principles for good design articulated by the influential industrial designer, emphasizing simplicity and functionality.

UI Kit
What is UI Kit

The measurement of where and how users look at a page or screen, used to assess visual attention.

Usability
What is Usability

A concept from ergonomics stating that the time required to move to a target area is a function of the distance and the size of the target.

User Flow
What is User Flow

An arrangement of content into columns and rows, which helps to structure and organize information visually.

User Journey
What is User Journey

The prominent, large banner image or block at the top of a website or webpage.

User Research
What is User Research

Adapting Maslow's hierarchy to prioritize user needs from basic functional to higher-level psychological and self-fulfillment needs.

User Stories
What is User Stories

An interactive representation of the final product used for testing and evaluation.

User-Centered Design
What is User-Centered Design

A smooth transition between colors, often used to add visual interest or highlight elements.

UX (User Experience)
What is UX (User Experience)

Design methodology focused on the preferences, behaviors, and needs of the end-user.

V
5 entries
Terms that begin with V.
W
2 entries
Terms that begin with W.
Z
1 entry
Terms that begin with Z.
#
1 entry
Terms that begin with a symbol.

Editor's picks.

The vocabulary in practice.

Frequently asked.

What is the Web Design Awards glossary?

An editorial dictionary of UX, UI, accessibility, performance, and front-end development terminology used across Web Design Awards reviews. Each entry defines the concept and links it back to award-winning examples in the archive.

How are terms chosen for the glossary?

Entries are added by the editorial team when a term recurs in jury notes, nominee reviews, or rubric evaluations. Priority goes to vocabulary that affects how digital craft is judged: interaction patterns, performance metrics, accessibility standards, and visual design language.

Is the glossary updated regularly?

Yes. New definitions are published as the editorial team encounters emerging vocabulary in nominations and reviews, and existing entries are revised when standards or best practices shift.

How do I suggest a new term?

Use the Suggest a term link to send the editorial team a definition request. Suggestions are reviewed and added when the term is broadly relevant to the way the award evaluates web design work.

Can I link to or cite a definition?

Every entry has a stable canonical URL under /terminologies/[slug]. Definitions can be cited or linked from external articles, agency case studies, or design documentation.

Missing a definition?

Suggest a term for the archive and help expand the language map behind the Web Design Awards ecosystem.