Aesthetic feedback

  • I just think that the aesthetics of the Gutenberg UI take a step back after every major update. For example, after 5.4:

    – there is a big empty space at the bottom of the editing area even if no blocks are present
    – the “add block” selector that appears on the bottom edge of a block when you hover your mouse over it isn’t even centered in the block anymore. It’s more to the left. Why? I don’t know.
    – the options on the toolbar (such as bold, italics, hyperlinking) are smaller than ever, and they’re fuzzy too. Why do these icons keep getting smaller?
    – in the hyperlink window that appears at the point of selection, the arrow on the right side is positioned too low.
    – there is extra unnecessary space underneath button blocks now.

    The aesthetics just seem to get more wonky and misaligned with every update.

Viewing 9 replies - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)

  • Thanks for this feedback, Paul! We make every effort to dial in the UI with each release, but there are things missed from time to time.

    To respond to specific feedback;
    – The large space at the bottom helps the content align to the middle of the screen.
    – The sibling inserter “+” icon is still centered for me.
    – The toolbar icons should not be smaller.
    – I’m not sure about the hyperlink arrow.
    – I didn’t notice any extra space below the Buttons block.

    I wonder if some of these have to do with a particular theme you might be using?

    Thread Starter Paul

    (@pbgeneral)

    I tested out 5.4 (cleared the cache) on two different websites with two completely different themes, and the issues are the same. It’ll be a lot easier to show it, so here are some screenshots:

    screen 1

    screen 2

    screen 3

    screen 4

    Thread Starter Paul

    (@pbgeneral)

    Hi. Can I get a response?

    Hi @pbgeneral, Are you using the Gutenberg plugin at all? The plugin includes a redesigned UI which may have solved some of these issues. Your images are very helpful, I’m looking into these now.

    Okay, I did some testing.

    1. Sibling inserter not being centered on block.
    This is correct. It is not from what I noticed. However, the new UI in the plugin does center it better.

    2. Block icons are smaller in Top Toolbar mode.
    This is also true. Looks like a regression. In the plugin, the new UI has also resolved this one.

    3. Hyperlink arrow is not positioned correctly.
    I did not experience this in either WP 5.4 or the plugin. The arrow worked well for me.

    4. More spacing below the buttons.
    I only noticed more spacing below the buttons when the Separator block was used. I believe this is due to the Separator block including more padding to make it easier to select. When I tested the Buttons block with a paragraph right after, it seemed to have the same spacing in WP 5.4 as it does in the plugin. I’m not sure if there is more spacing since WP 5.3.

    I hope this helps.

    Thread Starter Paul

    (@pbgeneral)

    No. I thought Gutenberg is built-in – what is the need for a plugin? Enhancements?

    Regarding (3), the arrow has that position in two different themes that I use. I can’t tell you why you’re not seeing it, but that doesn’t mean that the problem doesn’t exist. Maybe someone else can corroborate.

    Regarding (4), I don’t want that additional space before the separator. If you don’t think it’s a problem, how should I make the spacing the way it was before?

    Yes, Gutenberg as the “block editor” is integrated with WordPress, but ongoing development happens in the plugin. So if you want to have the latest updates for the block editor, installing the plugin will provide those.

    3. I agree, getting additional tests from other users would be a good idea.

    4.I believe this additional spacing is only in the editor to help the Separator block. Do you have this problem on the frontend of your site as well? If you really don’t want it there, it will require some custom CSS on your part to make that change in your site.

    Thread Starter Paul

    (@pbgeneral)

    Okay, I’ll look into that.

    Regarding (4), yes it is on the front end, which is why I’m complaining about it. Why was this extra space added in 5.4?

    Thread Starter Paul

    (@pbgeneral)

    Hi, I see you’ve lost interest in this thread. I’m using a new device and these issues are still there to this day. Are you guys working on fixing them for the next update, or what?

Viewing 9 replies - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
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