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Modal V2

Overlays to provide highly contextually user guidance

Need Modal v1 documentation?

Usage of the Modal v1 patterns is being deprecated. All new modal should use the v2 patterns documented below. If you need assistance with v1 legacy modals, visit the Modal v1 documentation.

Usage

Modal dialogs appear as an overlay on a page. They should be used when Thumbtack requires a user response or needs to explain critical information without losing context of the page beneath it.

Use for sign ups
When to use

Use when you want a user to confirm an important action or to get information like signing up or logging in. Since modals do interrupt a users’ experience, they could be perceived as annoying or bothersome and should be used with discretion.

Use for sign ups
When not to use

Do not use a modal without a trigger from the user, for example on page load. Also, do not use if there is a modal already being displayed.

Behavior

Arrival

How modals arrive is just as important as the content they contain. Animation does more than provide a visually pleasing experience. They indicate to the user that there is something on top of the content they are interacting with.

Dismissing

By default, modals can be closed by clicking on the “x” in the upper right hand corner of the container or by clicking anywhere outside of the container which is called the “curtain”. The animation of the arrival is used, just in reverse.

Autofocus

By default, the focus is placed on the first item a user can select, allowing them to quickly select the requested information, or submit the modal.

Anatomy

Modal component anatomy

Modal Types

Modals are offered in three types to best suit the user experience needs.

Default

Standard dialog that temporarily overlays the main content of a digital interface to present additional information, options, or interactive elements to the user within the current context of the experience.

Promo

Visually engaging modal approach used to be part of a marketing strategy to drive user engagement and conversions by grabbing the user’s attention through strong visual headers.

Confirmation

Clear and concise options to confirm or cancel the action, providing a moment for the user to review their decision before proceeding.

Default

Standard dialog that temporarily overlays the main content of a digital interface to present additional information, options, or interactive elements to the user within the current context of the experience.

look of promo modal

Sizing options

Modals are offered in multiple widths for the large responsive breakpoint or desktop experience. Selection of sizing should is dependent on the intended use case.

NameSizeDescription
Default624Most commonly used content such as forms and contextual informational.
Small512Minimal content and basic messaging such as confirmation modals.
Medium740Complex illustration and information non-suitable for the default size.
Large1025Largely complex content and content such as tables, data etc.

Promo

Visually engaging modal approach used to be part of a marketing strategy to drive user engagement and conversions by grabbing the user’s attention through strong visual headers.

look of promo modal
Only delivered in 624 size

Confirmation

Typically appears after the user has initiated a significant action, such as deleting a file, submitting a form, or completing a purchase, to ensure that the user understands the consequences of their action and to prevent accidental mistakes.

look of promo modal
Only delivered in 512 size

Best practices

Arrival

How modals arrive is just as important as the content they contain. Animation does more than provide a visually pleasing experience. They indicate to the user that there is something on top of the content they are interacting with.

Dismissing

By default, modals can be closed by clicking on the “x” in the upper right hand corner of the container or by clicking anywhere outside of the container which is called the “curtain”. The animation of the arrival is used, just in reverse.

Autofocus

By default, the focus is placed on the first item a user can select, allowing them to quickly select the requested information, or submit the modal.

Accessibility

Autofocus

By default, the focus is placed on the first item a user can select, allowing them to quickly select the requested information, or submit the modal.

Esc to close

In addition do dismissible actions (if applicable) the user should be able to close the modal experience with their keyboard using the esc key.

Focus Trap

The user should be able to tab through the interactive elements within the modal and cycle through each option without leaving the context until the modal is dismissed.

Role

The modal container should apple role=”dialog” to provide approach guidance for assistive technology tools. If immediate attention is needed (confirmation modal), then the role=”alertdialog” role may be necessary (read more about the alert dialog role).

Color contrast ratios

Content within the modal should abide by Thumbprint’s general policy for compliance for color contrast ratios.

Content Design

Writing for modals

Context is key. There needs to be a direct connection between the trigger (i.e. a button or link) and the modal that follows. This can be achieved by directly repeating the words of the trigger or using related terms. Maintaining a sense of connection between the CTA and modal transition is important to keep and maintain a consistent user experience.

Changelog

DateVersionNotes
Jun 30, 20252.0.0
  • Support for Default, Promo, and Confirmation types
  • Modernizes design approach
Nov 11, 20181.0.0Initial Release