# Drizzle ORM · Design system migration spec

> Source: https://orm.drizzle.team  ·  Curated by OpenDesign  ·  en

> A great example of a clean, functional developer-focused design that prioritizes readability and speed.

## 1. Identity DNA

Drizzle ORM presents itself as a clean, fast toolkit for developers—a system where every visual decision supports the core task of managing data efficiently. The design's identity is built on clarity and performance, rejecting decoration in favor of a functional aesthetic that mirrors the tool's purpose.

**One-liner:** A modern, fast ORM for TypeScript and JavaScript.
**Keywords:** ORM · TypeScript · JavaScript · Database · Developer
**Analogy:** Like a clean, fast toolkit for developers to manage data efficiently.

## 2. Color

The color system is a study in high contrast, built on a clean white background with charcoal text and subtle gray structural elements. It establishes a monochrome foundation where color is used sparingly and for function, not decoration.

| Token | Value | Use |
|---|---|---|
| `--bg` | `#FFFFFF` | main background |
| `--bg-soft` | `#FAFAFA` | card background |
| `--bg-quiet` | `#F1F2F3` | quiet area |
| `--ink` | `#222222` | body text |
| `--ink-soft` | `#444444` | secondary text |
| `--muted` | `#71687B` | placeholder |
| `--line` | `rgba(33, 39, 46, 0.12)` | divider |

**Color principle:** High contrast on a clean white background with subtle gray structural elements.

The principle is restraint; the palette exists to provide clarity and structure, not to draw attention to itself.

## 3. Typography

Typography establishes a clear hierarchy through a pragmatic stack: a system sans-serif for primary text, a monospace font for code, and a handwritten font for select playful annotations. This combination supports a voice that is technical yet accessible, directly communicating with a developer audience.

- **Display:** sans-serif
- **Body:** sans-serif
- **Mono:** monospace

| Token | Size | Line-height | Weight | Letter-spacing | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| display | 48px | 1.1 | 700 | -0.5px | Hero headlines |
| h2 | 32px | 1.2 | 600 | 0 | Section headlines |
| body | 16px | 1.5 | 400 | 0 | General text |
| small | 12px | 1.5 | 400 | 0 | Captions and metadata |

**Type rules:**
- System sans-serif stack is the primary typeface.
- Monospace font is used for code snippets and technical labels.
- Handwritten font is used selectively for playful annotations.

## 4. Spacing

Spacing follows a consistent 4px base grid, creating a reliable vertical rhythm across all components and sections.

- **Base unit:** 4px
- **Scale:** 4 / 8 / 12 / 16 / 20 / 24 / 32 / 40 / 64 px
- **Rhythm:** Consistent 4px base grid with generous padding in sections.

## 5. Surfaces

Surfaces are defined by subtle, layered depth: a single-pixel border grounds elements, while minimal shadows provide a gentle lift. The effect is one of clean, flat planes with just enough definition to establish hierarchy without visual weight.

- **Radius:** sm 2px · md 8px · lg 20px · pill 999px
- **Shadows:**
  - rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.08) 0px 0px 0px 1px
  - rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.075) 0px 2px 4px 0px
  - rgb(255, 255, 255) 0px 0px 1px 1px inset
- **Borders:** 1px solid rgb(229, 231, 235)

## 6. Layout

The layout skeleton centers content within a responsive container, stacking vertically on smaller viewports. This creates a focused reading column with generous whitespace, ensuring information is presented in a clear, digestible manner.

- **Container max:** 1200px
- **Paragraph max:** 680px
- **Grid:** 12 columns, gutter 24px
- **Breakpoints:** 768 / 1024 px

**Skeleton:** Centered content container with responsive stacking.

## 7. Motion & Interaction

Motion philosophy prioritizes utility and subtlety. All transitions are smooth and fast, using simple color fades and opacity changes to confirm interaction without distracting from the developer's workflow.

- **Durations:** micro 200ms · small 300ms · medium 800ms
- **Easing:** `ease-in-out`
- **Patterns:**
  - Smooth color transitions on hover
  - Opacity fade-ins

- **Hover:** Subtle background color change or color transition.
- **Click:** No dramatic change, standard pointer cursor.
- **Transition:** All properties transition smoothly over 0.2s.
- **Keyboard:** Standard focus outlines.

## 8. Voice & Don'ts

The editorial voice is technical but accessible, using direct, action-oriented headlines and simple text links for calls to action. It avoids corporate jargon and aggressive language, maintaining a tone that is helpful and slightly playful.

- **Tone:** Technical but accessible, slightly playful.
- **Headline style:** Direct, action-oriented, and concise.
- **CTA style:** Simple text links or outlined buttons.
- **Avoid:** Overly corporate language / Dense walls of text without visual breaks / Aggressive or loud colors

### Don'ts
- ❌ don't use dark mode — screenshot shows a bright white background
- ❌ don't use gradient backgrounds — screenshot shows flat solid colors
- ❌ don't use rounded pill buttons everywhere — screenshot shows standard rectangular or slightly rounded buttons
- ❌ don't use drop shadows on all elements — screenshot shows mostly flat surfaces with subtle borders
- ❌ don't use a single high-chroma accent color — screenshot shows a mostly monochrome palette
- ❌ don't use decorative serifs — screenshot shows clean sans-serif typography

The system deliberately forgoes dark mode, gradient backgrounds, and decorative serifs, committing fully to a bright, high-contrast, and functionally typographic aesthetic.

## System Prompt (paste into AI tool)

```
This is a developer tools SaaS site for an ORM, featuring a clean, minimalist design with a white background. Key colors include deep charcoal text (#222222) and light gray borders (#E5E7EB). Typography uses a standard sans-serif stack for body text and a monospace stack for code. The design relies on generous white space and subtle borders rather than heavy shadows. Critical donts: don't use dark mode, don't add gradient backgrounds, and don't use decorative fonts. The layout is centered and responsive, with a focus on clear hierarchy and readability.
```
