Medium UX Breakdown – Content-First Discovery Design - Medium UI Breakdown

The tabs let users switch between algorithmic recommendations and curated content. This gives users control over their discovery experience - they can rely on the algorithm when exploring or stick to trusted sources when focused.

The yellow icon immediately signals premium content without cluttering the interface. Users instantly understand value hierarchy and membership benefits through this simple visual language - no need for "Premium" labels or badges.

Medium uses color sparingly - mostly black, white, and gray - making the green "New" badge and floating action button incredibly effective. When everything else is neutral, strategic color usage becomes a powerful attention director.

The minus button lets users dismiss content they don't want to see, training the algorithm without complex preference settings. This micro-interaction improves the feed quality over time while keeping the interface clean and uncluttered.

Everything serves the content - minimal author info, clean typography, strategic white space, and subtle engagement metrics. The design disappears so users focus entirely on discovering and consuming articles, which is exactly what a content platform should do.