Tracking issue: 6.4 Highlight grid

[annezazu]

Due date: Beta 3/Oct 10

As part of efforts for the 6.4 release and related assets, this is a tracking issue to cover the work needed for the 6.4 highlighted grid. Here's an example of a previous highlight grid. The aim is to have a snapshot and visual look at the main features coming to the release. It should be no more than 10 or so items to keep the image compelling and clear. Let's use this issue to collaborate and share progress.

List of possible features:

• Introducing the Twenty Twenty-Four theme.
• Manage fonts with the Font Library.
• Add lightbox interactivity for your Images.
• See previews of your images and galleries in List View.
• Introducing Block Hooks.
• Explore new design tools (background image in Group block, Aspect ratios for image placeholders, Button and heading color customization in Group and Columns blocks, more block supports).
• Writing flow improvements (likely focus on captured toolbars for the List block, Navigation block, and Quote block).
• Rename Group blocks for improved organization.
• Enjoy Command Palette refinements (new design, more commands, more contextual functionality).

If we want to consolidate, I recommend the following:

• Introducing the Twenty Twenty-Four theme.
• Manage fonts with the Font Library.
• Add lightbox interactivity for your Images.
• Introducing Block Hooks.
• Explore new design tools (background image in Group block, Aspect ratios for image placeholders, Button and heading color customization in Group and Columns blocks, more block supports).
• Writing flow improvements (likely focus on captured toolbars for the List block, Navigation block, and Quote block).
• Workflow upgrades (Command palette improvements, pattern categories, see previews of your images and galleries in List View, etc)

Of note, what I'm listing in parenthesis indicates what we could visually show in the highlight grid to represent the section!

[jasmussen]

Here's a first draft:

For the moment, I am focusing on creating the visuals to go in each box of the bento, I expect the number and the size of the cells to shift a lot in both amount, position, and size, as I get all of the material gathered.

[rmartinezduque]

Thanks for opening this issue, Anne!

I know that the highlight grid is aligned with the priority items of the source of truth and other release content, such as Beta 1 and the About page. But I wonder if we have some flexibility on the displayed features. I'm a little concerned that some of them, like the captured toolbars for certain blocks, are particularly difficult to show or at least understand what's new (even having the small text) in a static image. I also think that some enhancements to the design tools, such as the new option to have buttons in the Navigation block, may fit in nicely with the formatting.

I just wanted to share this feedback. Either way, I'm glad to see this taking shape and excited to see how it evolves. ✨

[jasmussen]

But I wonder if we have some flexibility on the displayed features. I'm a little concerned that some of them, like the captured toolbars for certain blocks, are particularly difficult to show or at least understand what's new (even having the small text) in a static image

From past experience with these, there absolutely is, where initially we go back and forth on what to include, how much to include, what to combine, the phrasing, etc. right up until the end. Captured toolbars really kind of needs animation, so on that note I share your instincts that for writing flow improvements we'll want to be careful with how we display this. I hope to circle back to the highlight grid tomorrow and see if I can fill out more boxes in the bento, then hopefully the ones that don't read well will stick out.

[jasmussen]

Here's an update on the highlight grid. At this point, all the cells are filled in:

It seems time here to start arranging, polishing, re-phrasing, and deciding on prominence and the visualization of each of these concepts. I would greatly appreciate your feedback at this point.

From the suggestions listed, I've include the following:

Features:

• Introducing the Twenty Twenty-Four theme.
• Manage fonts with the Font Library.
• Add lightbox interactivity for your Images.
• See previews of your images and galleries in List View.
• Introducing Block Hooks.
• Group block backgrounds
• Aspect ratios for image placeholders
• More block supports
• ⌘ Shift D for Duplicate
• Rename Group blocks for improved organization.
• Improvements to pattern management for classic themes.

I did not include this one, as it's both hard to visualize or even describe the changes, and we included the command center in 6.3. But happy to hear suggestions:

• Enjoy Command Palette refinements (new design, more commands, more contextual functionality).

[jameskoster]

A tiny nitpick – should we use a different example for group renaming to avoid any overlap with template parts.

One example might be a root level "Musicians" block, which could have children "Lionel", "Dolphy", and so on.

[annezazu]

Loving the progress! Thanks for your efforts here. I definitely wrote out "full" titles for clarity so let's not be tied to them and try to make the phrasing more concise, partially pulling from this previous highlight grid (particularly with a new default theme)

• Twenty Twenty-Four.
• Manage fonts with the Font Library. Shorter alternatives: Manage fonts, Easy font management.
• Enhance images with a lightbox effect.
• Preview images and galleries in List View.
• Introducing Block Hooks.
• Maintain layouts with aspect ratio in placeholders(more descriptive of the feature). Slightly shorter alternative: Maintain layouts with placeholder aspect ratios.
• New block supports
• New shortcut
• Set custom Group block names (more descriptive of the feature).
• Improved pattern experience in classic themes (note that I am following up on this as currently it's not merged)

Some of these are a bit longer and more descriptive and some shorter. If we end up not making the last item, I think we should just leave more room for the ones listed above.

[annezazu]

Improved pattern experience for classic themes has been removed for 6.4 and punted. I stand by using the additional room to highlight the other features but am happy to provide additional highlights if that’s preferred!

[annezazu]

Quick note that the Font Library has been punted from 6.4 and is now slated for 6.5. Let's adjust once more. IMO, we should emphasize adding categories to patterns in the highlight grid.