How do you use design references without copying unsuitable behavior?

How do you use design references without copying unsuitable behavior?

A reference can help establish layout, hierarchy, or interaction patterns. It should not override the project’s requirements.

Identify what the reference solves

A dashboard may offer a useful project-card layout but assume instant operations, public assets, or different user roles. Note the patterns you want to reuse and the assumptions that do not apply. Use realistic content from your workflow when evaluating spacing and hierarchy.

Reconcile design with behavior

Add the states needed for long-running generation, review, failure, and private downloads. Check whether primary actions remain clear when a project is incomplete. Compare the adapted design with the PRD rather than measuring success by visual similarity alone. Try an empty account and a project with a failed render; these cases often reveal where a borrowed layout needs substantial changes.