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Synology Design System: Enterprise-Minimalist UI Precision

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Explore Synology's design system - enterprise colors, precise typography, UI components. Build reliable tech interfaces with Synology's visual language.

6 min read1,122 words

Brand Identity

Color Palette

Primary
Secondary

Typography

Primary Font
Inter
Secondary Font
-apple-system

Design Style

Style
enterprise-minimalist with restrained colors and minimal shadows
Visual Density
compact grid-based with consistent 8px spacing
Border Style
mixed: 10px inputs/cards, 24px buttons, 214px pill-shaped buttons

Full Analysis

1. Brand Overview

Synology’s site feels exactly like what you’d expect from a high‑end network storage brand—clean, technical, restrained. No big splashes of playful color. No quirky typography. It's a utilitarian aesthetic aimed squarely at IT pros, sysadmins, and technically‑confident consumers.
The visual language leans on deep blues, cool greys, and neutral whites—you can tell they want to reassure you: reliable, solid, professional. There’s zero fluff in their component choices. Buttons are straight to the point. Text is legible first, beautiful second.

This is a brand that sells hardware and serious software—NAS devices, surveillance systems, backup solutions. The tone says: we’re the infrastructure you rely on. And the design delivers that trust by avoiding visual distractions.
The entire system revolves around a sharp contrast between a signature blue (#0050bf and #0067e6 appear across CTAs and focus states) and well‑tuned neutrals like #303030 and #545454 for typography and UI chrome.

They don’t force flat design, but shadows are minimal—soft, low‑alpha for pop; almost no elevation differences. The spacings are regular (8px scale with occasional 4px half‑steps), the radii swing between functional 10px corners for inputs/cards and extreme 214px for pill buttons.

It’s an enterprise UI that knows it has to scale—small devices up to massive desktop grids. Breakpoints stretch from 300px up to 2500px; this is rare, and tells me they’ve considered ultra‑wide workstations.

Everything is designed for someone who doesn’t want to look at the UI—they want to find features, configure systems, and get back to work. I like that. It’s honest. It’s pragmatic. It’s not here to “delight” you with candy—it’s here to work.


2. Color System

2.1 Primary Colors

The primary action color is a deep corporate blue: #0050bf (rgb(0,80,191)). It’s high‑saturation but dark enough to feel stable. When a brighter accent is needed—on hover or focus—they jump to #0067e6 or transparent tints like #8dc8ff.

Psychologically: blue in tech is trust, security, reliability. Synology positions themselves against consumer brands like QNAP or Western Digital that sometimes skew warmer—Synology stays cool and conservative. It’s closer to IBM’s palette than Dropbox’s.

These blues are used for CTAs, focus outlines, and link highlights. Not for background fills (except focus shapes). The majority of surfaces stay neutral.

2.2 Complete Palette

Color NameHexRoleUsage
Primary Blue#0050bfBrand / CTAMain CTAs, primary actions
Bright Blue Accent#0067e6AccentHover link, focus border
White#ffffffSurface / TextBackgrounds, text on dark
Dark Neutral#545454Text SecondaryParagraph, UI labels
Darker Neutral#303030Text Primary / NavHeaders, core text
Neutral Mid Grey#666666TextLess prominent copy
Black#000000Text / BordersStrong text, outlines
Medium Grey#757575Text tertiaryPlaceholder text
Very Dark Neutral#0a0a0aHover BGHover/focus backgrounds
Translucent Blue Light#8dc8ffState HighlightHover highlight tint
Translucent Blue Mid#5cb0ffState HighlightHover/focus border
Semi‑opaque Blue Dark#0053baHoverAction hover background
Semi‑opaque Blue Alt#0054bbHoverAlternate hover tone
Semi‑opaque Blue Slight#0053b9HoverAlternate hover tone
Semi‑opaque Blue Deep#0059c6HoverAlternate hover tone

2.3 Color Relationships

Contrast: Primary #0050bf with white achieves high WCAG AA/AAA easily. Neutrals on white are adequate but—dark grey (#545454) on white yields ~7:1 contrast.

Dark mode: Not explicitly implemented, but palette can invert—blues stay as CTAs, neutrals flip to light greys.

2.4 Usage Guide

  • Pair #0050bf (primary) with #ffffff for CTAs—it pops but remains professional.
  • Never use transparent blues as text—they’re for focus rings or hover overlays.
  • Avoid pairing #666666 text on #545454 backgrounds—contrast will drop.
  • Black text (#000000) is rare—use for emphasis or brand marks.

3. Typography

3.1 Font Families

Almost everything is Inter with fallbacks "Open Sans", Arial, Helvetica, Verdana. Secondary stack for system contexts is -apple-system with system-ui, Segoe UI, Roboto.

No Google Fonts load; they must be serving Inter themselves or via a CDN. No Adobe Fonts.

3.2 Type Scale

ElementFontSizeWeightLine Height
Heading-1Inter52px (3.25rem)6001.23
Heading-1Inter26px (1.63rem)6001.54
Heading-1Inter22px (1.38rem)4001.45
Heading-1Inter22px (1.38rem)6001.45
ButtonInter18px (1.13rem)4001.56
Heading-1Inter18px (1.13rem)4001.56
Button-apple-system16px (1.00rem)4001.50
Heading-1-apple-system16px (1.00rem)4001.50
Heading-1Inter16px (1.00rem)4001.50
Heading-1Inter16px (1.00rem)6001.50
Heading-1Inter15px (0.94rem)4001.87
LinkInter15px (0.94rem)4001.60
CaptionInter14px (0.88rem)4001.57
LinkInter14px (0.88rem)4001.57
ButtonInter14px (0.88rem)5001.57
ButtonInter14px (0.88rem)4001.57
LinkInter12px (0.75rem)4001.50
CaptionInter12px (0.75rem)4002.33
CaptionInter12px (0.75rem)6001.33

3.3 Hierarchy

Biggest jump is from 52px titles down to 26px subheads—clear top level. Body ranges 14–16px, very readable.
Button text mostly 14px/500 weight—slightly heavier for clarity. Captions can drop to 12px but keep line height generous (up to 2.33) to breathe.


4. Spacing & Layout

4.1 Spacing Scale

Base scale is 8px with smaller increments (4px) used sparingly.

Values:

pxremCount
4px0.25rem19
5px0.31rem6
6px0.38rem46
8px0.50rem22
10px0.63rem17
11px0.69rem2
12px0.75rem47
16px1.00rem2
18px1.13rem4
20px1.25rem4
22px1.38rem4
24px1.50rem2
26px1.63rem1
32px2.00rem1
40px2.50rem2
50px3.13rem1
52px3.25rem2
70px4.38rem4
80px5.00rem1
142px8.88rem4

4.2 Layout

Breakpoints run from tiny (300px) to enormous (2500px). Many micro‑breakpoints at common device widths—480px, 768px, 1024px, etc.—and some odd sizes (1439px, 1921px) probably addressing specific device quirks.


5. Visual Elements

Border Radius

ValueCountElements
10px25div, combobox, s-link, image
15px1div
24px2button
32px3input, region, send question
65px1div
214px7pill buttons, “Submit Question”
50%12tab, avatars
100%4span, button

Notable: 214px pill shapes—purely brand style for large soft buttons.

Shadows

Two low‑intensity variants:

  • rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 30px 0px
  • rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05) 0px 4px 30px 5px

Mostly flat; these are rare.

Borders

1px solid most often, used in neutrals: grey (#848484) buttons, black (#000000) strong outlines. Occasional bottom borders (#2e3742), inset 2px frame outlines.


6. Components

6.1 Buttons

Variant 1 (Text option)

  • Default: white bg, black text, 8px 32px padding, 24px radius, 1px solid black
  • Hover: bg #107bff, opacity 0.8, text #0078ff

Variant 2 (Accept)

  • Default: black bg, white text, 8px 32px padding, radius 24px
  • Hover: blue bg #0078ff, opacity 0.8

Variant 3 (Carousel control)

  • Default: transparent white(0.1) bg, white text, 6px padding, 50% radius
  • Hover: transparent bg, white border, text #0067e6
  • Focus: outline #00bbff solid 3px

Variant 4 (AI Advisor Submit)

  • Default: #dfe1e6 bg, grey text (#545454), pill radius 214px
  • Hover: transparent bg, blue text (#0067e6)

Variant 5 (AI Advisor Question)

  • Default: transparent bg, grey text (#757575), pill radius 214px, 1px solid #848484
  • Hover: light grey overlay, blue text
  • Active: slightly darker overlay
  • Focus: outline rgba(92,176,255,0.7) solid 3px

6.2 Links

Three styles:

  1. Dark grey (#2e3742) underline–hover removes underline.
  2. Blue (#0067e6) no underline–hover turns dark grey.
  3. Grey (#666666) underline–hover removes underline and darkens.

6.3 Forms

Text input: white bg, #2e3742 text, border #e6e6e6 1px solid, 10px radius, focus outline blue (rgba(92,176,255,0.7))

Textarea: transparent, no border, padding right 16px, only focus border becomes #0067e6.

6.4 Cards

No explicit card object extracted—likely 10px rounded corners + low shadow or border.


7. Design Tokens

:root {
  /* Colors */
  --color-primary-blue: #0050bf;
  --color-accent-blue: #0067e6;
  --color-white: #ffffff;
  --color-grey-dark: #545454;
  --color-grey-darker: #303030;
  --color-grey-mid: #666666;
  --color-black: #000000;
  --color-grey-tertiary: #757575;
  --color-neutral-very-dark: #0a0a0a;
  --color-blue-light-alpha: #8dc8ff;
  --color-blue-mid-alpha: #5cb0ff;
  --color-blue-dark-alpha1: #0053ba;
  --color-blue-dark-alpha2: #0054bb;
  --color-blue-dark-alpha3: #0053b9;
  --color-blue-dark-alpha4: #0059c6;

  /* Typography */
  --font-primary: "Inter", "Open Sans", Arial, Helvetica, Verdana;
  --font-secondary: -apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto;

  /* Font sizes */
  --fs-h1-xl: 3.25rem;
  --fs-h1-lg: 1.63rem;
  --fs-h1-md: 1.38rem;
  --fs-button-lg: 1.13rem;
  --fs-button-md: 1rem;
  --fs-body-lg: 0.94rem;
  --fs-body-md: 0.88rem;
  --fs-caption-sm: 0.75rem;

  /* Spacing (px) */
  --space-4: 4px;
  --space-5: 5px;
  --space-6: 6px;
  --space-8: 8px;
  --space-10: 10px;
  --space-11: 11px;
  --space-12: 12px;
  --space-16: 16px;
  --space-18: 18px;
  --space-20: 20px;
  --space-22: 22px;
  --space-24: 24px;
  --space-26: 26px;
  --space-32: 32px;
  --space-40: 40px;
  --space-50: 50px;
  --space-52: 52px;
  --space-70: 70px;
  --space-80: 80px;
  --space-142: 142px;

  /* Radius */
  --radius-sm: 10px;
  --radius-md: 24px;
  --radius-lg: 32px;
  --radius-xlg: 65px;
  --radius-pill: 214px;
  --radius-full: 50%;
  --radius-full-abs: 100%;

  /* Shadows */
  --shadow-md: rgba(0,0,0,0.2) 0px 0px 30px 0px;
  --shadow-lg: rgba(0,0,0,0.05) 0px 4px 30px 5px;
}

8. AI Coding Assistant Prompt

# Synology Design System Specification

You are a Synology design expert. Build UIs matching their visual language exactly.

## Brand Context
Synology designs for enterprise reliability: clean layouts, minimal decoration, cool professional blues with neutral greys. The aesthetic is purpose-built for system administration and infrastructure tools—clarity over flash.

## Color Palette
- Primary Blue: #0050bf — Main CTAs, primary buttons
- Accent Blue: #0067e6 — Links, focus outlines
- White: #ffffff — Backgrounds, text on dark
- Grey Dark: #545454 — Secondary text, icons
- Grey Darker: #303030 — Primary dark text
- Grey Mid: #666666 — Less prominent text
- Black: #000000 — Brand marks, strong borders
- Grey Tertiary: #757575 — Placeholder text
- Neutral Very Dark: #0a0a0a — Hover backgrounds
- Blue Light Alpha: #8dc8ff — Hover/focus highlight
- Blue Mid Alpha: #5cb0ff — Hover/focus borders
- Blue Dark Alpha1: #0053ba — Hover backgrounds
- Blue Dark Alpha2: #0054bb — Hover backgrounds
- Blue Dark Alpha3: #0053b9 — Hover backgrounds
- Blue Dark Alpha4: #0059c6 — Hover backgrounds

## Typography
Fonts:
- Primary: "Inter", "Open Sans", Arial, Helvetica, Verdana
- Secondary/system: -apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto

Type scale:
| Level | Font | Size | Weight | Line Height | Use For |
|-------|------|------|--------|-------------|---------|
| H1 XL | Inter | 52px | 600 | 1.23 | Page titles |
| H1 LG | Inter | 26px | 600 | 1.54 | Major section headings |
| H1 MD | Inter | 22px | 400/600 | 1.45 | Inline headings |
| Button LG | Inter | 18px | 400 | 1.56 | Large buttons |
| Button MD | System | 16px | 400 | 1.50 | Medium buttons |
| Body LG | Inter | 15px | 400 | 1.87 | Paragraph |
| Link LG | Inter | 15px | 400 | 1.60 | Navigation links |
| Caption MD | Inter | 14px | 400 | 1.57 | Labels |
| Caption SM | Inter | 12px | 400/600 | 1.33–2.33 | Small labels |

## Spacing & Grid
Base spacing: 8px (with 4px micro increments)
Scale: 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 32, 40, 50, 52, 70, 80, 142px
Use for: button padding, card gutters, section spacing.

## Border Radius
- sm: 10px — inputs, small cards
- md: 24px — buttons
- lg: 32px — larger fieldsets
- xl: 65px — specific containers
- pill: 214px — large capsule buttons
- full: 50% — circular controls, avatars
- full-abs: 100% — full element round

## Shadows & Depth
Minimal:  
- md: rgba(0,0,0,0.2) 0px 0px 30px 0px  
- lg: rgba(0,0,0,0.05) 0px 4px 30px 5px

## Component Specifications

### Primary Button
Default:
```css
background-color: #0050bf;
color: #ffffff;
padding: 8px 32px;
border-radius: 24px;
border: none;
font-weight: 500;
font-size: 14px;
```
Hover:
```css
background-color: #0067e6;
opacity: 0.8;
```
Focus:
```css
outline: 3px solid rgba(92,176,255,0.7);
```
Disabled:
```css
opacity: 0.5;
cursor: not-allowed;
```

### Secondary Button
Default:
```css
background-color: #ffffff;
color: #000000;
padding: 8px 32px;
border: 1px solid #000000;
border-radius: 24px;
font-size: 14px;
font-weight: 500;
```
Hover:
```css
background-color: #107bff;
opacity: 0.8;
color: #0078ff;
```

### Navigation Links
Style 1: dark grey underline; hover removes underline.  
Style 2: blue no underline; hover darkens.  
Style 3: grey underline; hover darkens and removes underline.

### Input Fields
Default:
```css
border: 1px solid #e6e6e6;
border-radius: 10px;
padding: 8px 32px 8px 16px;
background-color: #ffffff;
color: #2e3742;
```
Focus:
```css
outline: 3px solid rgba(92,176,255,0.7);
```

## Layout & Responsive Rules
Breakpoints at: 300, 480, 768, 1024, 1440, 1920, up to 2500px.  
Mobile padding: 16px. Desktop: 32px sections.

## Interaction Rules
- Transition: background, border, opacity 150ms ease
- Focus indicators: 3px solid blue alpha
- Hover states must change background or text color—not both at once
- Disabled: opacity 0.5 and remove hover/focus styles

## DO List
- Use only approved hex colors
- Maintain 8px grid, use multiples
- Respect border-radius map—consistent corner style
- Keep shadows subtle
- Use Inter for all headings and UI text

## DON'T List
- Don't invent accent colors
- Don't mix 10px corners with pills in same component
- Don't add heavy shadows
- Don't change font sizes outside scale

## Code Examples

Primary Button:
```css
.btn-primary {
  background: #0050bf;
  color: #ffffff;
  padding: 8px 32px;
  border-radius: 24px;
  border: none;
  font-weight: 500;
  font-size: 14px;
  transition: all 150ms ease;
}
.btn-primary:hover { background: #0067e6; opacity: 0.8; }
.btn-primary:focus { outline: 3px solid rgba(92,176,255,0.7); }
```

Secondary Button:
```css
.btn-secondary {
  background: #ffffff;
  color: #000000;
  padding: 8px 32px;
  border-radius: 24px;
  border: 1px solid #000000;
  font-weight: 500;
  font-size: 14px;
}
.btn-secondary:hover { background: #107bff; opacity: 0.8; }
```

Input:
```css
.input {
  border: 1px solid #e6e6e6;
  border-radius: 10px;
  padding: 8px 16px;
  background: #ffffff;
  font-size: 14px;
}
.input:focus { outline: 3px solid rgba(92,176,255,0.7); }
```

9. Summary

TL;DR Synology’s design system is a disciplined, enterprise‑focused UI: deep blues, restrained neutrals, minimal shadows, precise spacing. Built to disappear so the tools shine.

Brand Keywords:

  • enterprise‑minimalist
  • tech‑trustworthy
  • grid‑consistent
  • precision‑UI