[wp-trac] [WordPress Trac] #61585: Modify Events and News Widget to Show Global Events Separate from Local Events + Improve Accessibility of the Widget

[WordPress Trac]

#61585: Modify Events and News Widget to Show Global Events Separate from Local
Events + Improve Accessibility of the Widget
-------------------------------------+-------------------------------------
 Reporter:  alh0319                  |       Owner:  joedolson
     Type:  enhancement              |      Status:  accepted
 Priority:  normal                   |   Milestone:  6.8
Component:  Administration           |     Version:
 Severity:  normal                   |  Resolution:
 Keywords:  needs-design-feedback    |     Focuses:  ui, accessibility,
  needs-patch reporter-feedback      |  administration
-------------------------------------+-------------------------------------

Comment (by luehrsen):

 The proposed improvements to the "WordPress Events and News" widget
 introduce useful enhancements, particularly in organizing local and global
 events. However, there are a few areas where the design could be refined
 further for better usability and clarity.

 === 1. Low Visual Hierarchy ===
 - Currently, many elements are competing for attention, making it
 difficult to quickly scan and comprehend the most important information.
 - The new section headings ('''Local Events''', '''Global Events''', etc.)
 might require **better separation and additional whitespace** to create
 clearer divisions.
 - Consider adjusting typography (e.g., weight, size, or spacing) to guide
 the eye more effectively through the widget.

 === 2. Competing Styles for Similar Elements ===
 - There are **inconsistencies in visual weight** between elements
 performing similar functions.
   - The '''filter buttons''' (All, Accessibility, etc.) and the '''Submit
 button''' have different weights, which might make interactions feel
 disjointed.
   - Local events have **spacing/margin**, whereas global events seem to
 lack that (which may be an artifact of the draft state).
 - Standardizing these styles across the widget will improve visual
 coherence and usability.

 === 3. High Information Density ===
 - The widget currently **packs a lot of different types of information
 into a small space**, making it feel **crammed**.
 - Some suggestions to improve this:
   - Increase spacing between event listings and sections.
   - Adjust the alignment and padding of elements for better readability.
   - Introduce subtle dividers or background variations to break up
 sections visually.

 === 4. Location Selection UX Issues ===
 - If the UX remains similar to the current version, the '''"Clear
 Location"''' button disappears on refresh, requiring users to click
 '''"Change Location"''' first to access it again.
 - This could be improved by:
   - Dynamically replacing **"Change Location"** with **"Clear Location"**
 depending on the state.
   - Grouping **"Change Location"** and **"Clear Location"** together so
 they are always accessible without an extra click.
   - Ensuring that the interface provides clear feedback when an action
 (like clearing location) has been successfully completed.

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Ticket URL: <https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/61585#comment:17>
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