Pocket

The pocket pattern allows the user to reveal content without leaving the page. Avoiding overwhelming them with excessive amounts of content.

Contributors

  • Chris Kinsey
  • Andrew Campbell
  • Danny Lambert-Maddocks
Platform:Web

Overview

An example of the pocket pattern with content inside

How it works

The pocket pattern is made up of: some content, a button and surrounding hit area that shows more content, and a horizontal dividing line.

The pocket pattern allows you to reveal additional content without leaving the page you are on. What defines it is that a hint of the additional content is shown.

Imagine a handkerchief poking out the top of a shirt pocket. Though the handkerchief isn't fully visible, we know that it's there and we know how to get to it.

When the page loads, you'll see a selection of fully visible content along with some that's concealed by the pocket. This hints that you can get to the additional content by selecting the 'show more' button.

An illustration of how the 'Show More' button partially conceals the additional content

When the 'show more' button (or any of the partially hidden content) is selected, the pocket will expand downwards. This will reveal the additional content.

An illustration showing how the pocket opens downwards revealing the content inside

A pocket can hold unlimited amounts of content and can reveal a variable amount on selection of the interaction area. This means you could select to reveal more on multiple occasions.

Rules

The 'show more' button should only be displayed when there is content in the pocket to reveal. Because of this, you won't need to show any inactive button states.

Variations

When using the pocket, you must choose how much to show at first, how much to show on reveal, and how much to show in total.

The number of items shown and hidden should be appropriate for the amount of room available on screen, so it may vary at different breakpoints.

In addition to these points there are three areas that allow for variation on the pattern:

Labelling

The 'show more' button should only use the copy 'show more'. However, it can also include the number of items that will be shown. For example: 'show 8 more'.

Expanded state and the 'show less' button

When the pocket is fully expanded and all of the content is visible, the 'show more' isn't required. When this is the case, a 'show less' button can be used. The 'show less' button collapses the pocket back to the original state that would have been seen when the page loaded. 'Show less' can only be used in this way and cannot be used to partially close the pocket.

An example of the 'show less' button

Pattern in action

This pattern is currently being used by Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ CΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ.