style-first software

noun
UK /staɪl fɜːst ˈsɒftweə/
US /staɪl fɜrst ˈsɔftwɛr/

Software made to look pretty and cool before anything else.

The new drawing app is style-first software because its colors and buttons are amazing, even if it sometimes freezes.

SYNONYMS

design-led softwareappearance-focused softwareaesthetic-first softwarelooks-first software

RELATED WORDS

user interfacedesignbrandingusabilityfront-end

OTHER MEANINGS

2. A way of building programs where visual design decisions come before technical planning.

Their team follows style-first software, so the designers pick fonts and colors before the coders write anything.

3. Software marketed mainly by its trendy look rather than its features.

Critics called the app style-first software, saying it was all flash and no function.

4. A development approach that treats the user's visual experience as the top priority.

With style-first software, every screen is polished before new tools are added.