Mode
A concept meant to be expressed through presentational decisions.
Tip
Mode and theme are often confused. An analogy is wanting to taste something sweet, and then choosing strawberry candy. Sweet is the mode, strawberry is the theme. This means naming a mode should be an adjective, and naming a theme should relate to the values found in the theme.
Example
Section titled “Example”Dark mode has an expectation of a primarily dark interface. In other words, the majority of surfaces within a dark mode are meant to use dark colors. To present this visually, a dark theme should be prepared which manages the assignment of mostly dark colors to properties in the interface, eventually presenting a dark experience, supporting the concept of dark mode.
The mode is not restricted to a user expectation. We can consider a mode as the intended expression by the brand. A brand could choose the highest priced services as “premium” with a mode to express this. That mode could be applied as a presentation to items which should convey a sense of higher worth. Modes can be compounded to support ideas of “dark” “premium” together as a single treatment. This is the basis behind Mise en Mode.