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Card

A Card displays content and an action about a single subject.

Use a Card to group related content, including an image, title, body and link. A heading and link are required. The card image features a zoom-in microinteraction on hover. It provides immediate feedback that the card is interactive, helping users understand that they can click on it. This improves usability and discoverability.

Examples

Default

Three young people lay hands on the face of Thompson Library bust

Card Heading

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
<div class="bux-card" role="group" aria-label="Card">
<a class="bux-card__link" href="#" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a>

<img
class="bux-image bux-image--16x9"
src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/bux.osu.edu/img/example-images/oxley_9599.jpg"
alt="Three young people lay hands on the face of Thompson Library bust"
/>

<div class="bux-card__content">
<h3 class="bux-card__heading">
<span>Card Heading</span>
</h3>

<div class="bux-card__body">
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod
tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
</div>

<div class="bux-card__cta">
<a href="#">
<span>Call to Action</span>
</a>
</div>
</div>
</div>

Gray Background

Three young people lay hands on the face of Thompson Library bust

Card Heading

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
<div class="bux-card bux-card--gray" role="group" aria-label="Card">
<a class="bux-card__link" href="#" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a>

<img
class="bux-image bux-image--16x9"
src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/bux.osu.edu/img/example-images/oxley_9599.jpg"
alt="Three young people lay hands on the face of Thompson Library bust"
/>

<div class="bux-card__content">
<h3 class="bux-card__heading">
<span>Card Heading</span>
</h3>

<div class="bux-card__body">
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod
tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
</div>

<div class="bux-card__cta">
<a href="#">
<span>Call to Action</span>
</a>
</div>
</div>
</div>

Without Border

Three young people lay hands on the face of Thompson Library bust

Card Heading

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
<div class="bux-card bux-card--no-border" role="group" aria-label="Card">
<a class="bux-card__link" href="#" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a>

<img
class="bux-image bux-image--16x9"
src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/bux.osu.edu/img/example-images/oxley_9599.jpg"
alt="Three young people lay hands on the face of Thompson Library bust"
/>

<div class="bux-card__content">
<h3 class="bux-card__heading">
<span>Card Heading</span>
</h3>

<div class="bux-card__body">
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod
tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
</div>

<div class="bux-card__cta">
<a href="#">
<span>Call to Action</span>
</a>
</div>
</div>
</div>

Linked Headline

Three young people lay hands on the face of Thompson Library bust

Card Heading

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
<div class="bux-card bux-card--linked-headline" role="group" aria-label="Card">
<a class="bux-card__link" href="#" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a>

<img
class="bux-image bux-image--16x9"
src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/bux.osu.edu/img/example-images/oxley_9599.jpg"
alt="Three young people lay hands on the face of Thompson Library bust"
/>

<div class="bux-card__content">
<h3 class="bux-card__heading">
<a href="#" class="bux-card__heading--link">
<span>Card Heading</span>
</a>
</h3>

<div class="bux-card__body">
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod
tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
</div>
</div>
</div>

Storytelling

Three young people lay hands on the face of Thompson Library bust
Optional Taxonomy

Card Heading

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
3-minute read
<div class="bux-card bux-card--storytelling" role="group" aria-label="Card">
<a class="bux-card__link" href="#" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a>

<img
class="bux-image bux-image--16x9"
src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/bux.osu.edu/img/example-images/oxley_9599.jpg"
alt="Three young people lay hands on the face of Thompson Library bust"
/>

<div class="bux-card__content">
<span class="bux-card__taxonomy"> Optional Taxonomy </span>

<h3 class="bux-card__heading">
<a href="#" class="bux-card__heading--storytelling-link">
<span>Card Heading</span>
</a>
</h3>

<div class="bux-card__body">
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod
tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
</div>

<span class="bux-card__read-time">3-minute read</span>
</div>
</div>

Horizontal

Three young people lay hands on the face of Thompson Library bust

Card Heading

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
<div class="bux-card bux-card--horizontal" role="group" aria-label="Card">
<a class="bux-card__link" href="#" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a>

<img
class="bux-image bux-image--16x9"
src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/bux.osu.edu/img/example-images/oxley_9599.jpg"
alt="Three young people lay hands on the face of Thompson Library bust"
/>

<div class="bux-card__content">
<h3 class="bux-card__heading">
<span>Card Heading</span>
</h3>

<div class="bux-card__body">
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod
tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
</div>

<div class="bux-card__cta">
<a href="#">
<span>Call to Action</span>
</a>
</div>
</div>
</div>

Horizontal Storytelling

Three young people lay hands on the face of Thompson Library bust
Optional Taxonomy

Card Heading

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
3-minute read
<div
class="bux-card bux-card--horizontal-storytelling"
role="group"
aria-label="Card"
>
<a class="bux-card__link" href="#" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a>

<img
class="bux-image bux-image--16x9"
src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/bux.osu.edu/img/example-images/oxley_9599.jpg"
alt="Three young people lay hands on the face of Thompson Library bust"
/>

<div class="bux-card__content">
<span class="bux-card__taxonomy"> Optional Taxonomy </span>

<h3 class="bux-card__heading">
<a href="#" class="bux-card__heading--storytelling-link">
<span>Card Heading</span>
</a>
</h3>

<div class="bux-card__body">
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod
tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
</div>

<span class="bux-card__read-time">3-minute read</span>
</div>
</div>

Event

Sept
23
Three young people lay hands on the face of Thompson Library bust
Optional taxonomy

Event Title

Time
1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Location
BLIC / Library
<div class="bux-card bux-card--event" role="group" aria-label="Event Card">
<a class="bux-card__link" href="#" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a>

<div class="bux-card__image">
<div class="bux-card--event__date--wrapper">
<div class="bux-card--event__date">
<div class="bux-card--event__date--month">Sept</div>
<div class="bux-card--event__date--day">23</div>
</div>
</div>

<img
class="bux-image bux-image--16x9"
src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/bux.osu.edu/img/example-images/oxley_9599.jpg"
alt="Three young people lay hands on the face of Thompson Library bust"
/>
</div>
<div class="bux-card__content">
<span class="bux-card__taxonomy"> Optional taxonomy </span>

<h3 class="bux-card__heading">
<a href="#" class="bux-card__heading--link">
<span>Event Title</span>
</a>
</h3>

<div class="bux-mar-top-sp-16">
<dl class="bux-icon-dl bux-icon-dl--event">
<div class="bux-icon-dl__item">
<dt class="icon icon-clock">Time</dt>
<dd>1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.</dd>
</div>
<div class="bux-icon-dl__item">
<dt class="icon icon-location-pin">Location</dt>
<dd>BLIC / Library</dd>
</div>
</dl>
</div>
</div>
</div>

Horizontal Event

Sept
23
Three young people lay hands on the face of Thompson Library bust
Optional taxonomy

Event Title

Time
1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Location
BLIC / Library
<div class="bux-card bux-card--event-horizontal" role="group" aria-label="Card">
<a class="bux-card__link" href="#" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a>

<div class="bux-card__image">
<div class="bux-card--event__date--wrapper">
<div class="bux-card--event__date">
<div class="bux-card--event__date--month">Sept</div>
<div class="bux-card--event__date--day">23</div>
</div>
</div>

<img
class="bux-image bux-image--16x9"
src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/bux.osu.edu/img/example-images/oxley_9599.jpg"
alt="Three young people lay hands on the face of Thompson Library bust"
/>
</div>
<div class="bux-card__content">
<span class="bux-card__taxonomy"> Optional taxonomy </span>

<h3 class="bux-card__heading">
<a href="#" class="bux-card__heading--link">
<span>Event Title</span>
</a>
</h3>

<div class="bux-mar-top-sp-16">
<dl class="bux-icon-dl bux-icon-dl--event-horizontal">
<div class="bux-icon-dl__item">
<dt class="icon icon-clock">Time</dt>
<dd>1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.</dd>
</div>
<div class="bux-icon-dl__item">
<dt class="icon icon-location-pin">Location</dt>
<dd>BLIC / Library</dd>
</div>
</dl>
</div>
</div>
</div>

Card Elements

Each card includes an image, heading, body text, and a call to action (cta). However, only the heading is required. Here are some possible combinations of required elements and card variants.

Image omitted

Card Heading

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.

Body text omitted

Three young people lay hands on the face of Thompson Library bust

Card Heading

Event with date range

Sept
23
to
Oct
3
Three young people lay hands on the face of Thompson Library bust
Optional taxonomy

Event Title

Time
1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Location
BLIC / Library

Usage

Dos

  • Use the Default Card variant for informational content, such as programs or resources
  • Use the Event Card variants to briefly highlight events details
  • Use the Storytelling Card variant for news articles or digital stories
  • Always include a title and link
  • Keep Card title short for quick scanning
  • Consider creating a collection of Cards, rather than a single Card

Don’ts

  • Don’t use Cards for a simple action; use a Text Link or Button instead
  • Don’t inconsistently use images or links
  • Don’t mix and match Card variants within the same collection
  • Don’t repeat content (like the same image) in a collection
  • Don't use more than one taxonomy item in Storytelling cards

Implementation notes

You can modify the look of the card with modifiers. These modifiers allow you to create cards with a gray background and no border.

Card with a gray background using modifier
<div class="bux-card bux-card--gray"></div>
Card with no border using modifier
<div class="bux-card bux-card--no-border"></div>

Event cards should be passed a date that contains the month, day and time of the event, as well as a location. The date can optionally be a range.

Accessibility

  • All cards must have one link within them that is reachable by the keyboard and is not hidden from assistive technology. The overlay link that makes the whole card clickable is not accessible so either the headline or the call-to-action must also be a link.
  • Make sure to write appropriate alternative text if including an image in your card.
  • See the WebAIM website for more information on writing alternative text for images.
  • Calls-to-action should use informative text. Having several links that say “Read more” but all go to different places is a bad experience for assistive technology users.

References

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