Metro Design
Microsoft's design language emphasizing content over chrome, clean typography, and bold, flat colors. Inspired by transit signage systems.
Live Demo
Interactive Metro Design Demo
Origins & History
Metro Design Language was developed by Microsoft starting around 2006, becoming prominent with Windows Phone 7 in 2010 and later Windows 8. The name was inspired by the clean, efficient signage of public transit systems.
Key principles include 'content before chrome' (prioritizing content over UI decoration), clean typography with Segoe UI, bold colors, and an emphasis on motion and transitions. The design celebrated text and flat iconography.
Metro evolved into 'Microsoft Design Language' and later 'Fluent Design System.' Its influence on flat design across the industry was significant, helping establish the post-skeuomorphic design era.
Key Characteristics
- Tile-based interface with Live Tiles
- Bold, flat colors without gradients
- Typography-focused design (Segoe UI)
- Content before chrome philosophy
- Edge-to-edge layouts
- Meaningful motion and transitions
Why This Demo Is Authentic
This implementation faithfully recreates the Metro Design through careful attention to typography, grid systems, color usage, and compositional principles documented in the original movement. Every design decision is grounded in historical research.
Style Guide
Segoe UI
Secondary: Segoe WP
Typography is central to Metro design. Large, bold headlines with careful hierarchy guide users...
Tile-based grid with varied sizes