The term boilerplate refers to a standard, reusable piece of content used in various types of content, including articles, communication materials such as press releases, and contracts. It serves as a template for specific types of content, allowing consistency and efficiency in writing and communication.

In design, boilerplate elements include UI components, layout templates, or design systems to speed up the product development process. These pre-built kits aim to ensure consistency, reduce errors, and allow designers to focus on unique user needs rather than rebuilding basic elements.

ORIGIN

The term “boilerplate” dates back to the early 19th century, originally referring to large, flat sheets of iron used in steam boilers (1831). In the printing world, the meaning evolved. By the late 1800s, publishers began using pre-cast metal plates – standardized blocks of text that could be inserted into multiple newspapers without change. These plates were durable, fixed, and reusable.

From the 1870s to the 1950s, organizations like the American Press Association distributed ready-made content to newspapers as filler. It was efficient, reliable, and identical wherever it appeared. By 1887, “boilerplate” had taken on its modern meaning: Text that is reused without modification.

The idea carried over into software and design – templates, components, and patterns meant to be reused again and again.

WHEN

Utilizing boilerplate content is often a good idea. It saves time and effort, but it runs risk of boring repetition and thoughtless experience. The following examples indicate situations when you may have encountered “bad” boilerplate:

• The same layout, copy, or component appears everywhere
• Templates are used without adaptation
• Content feels generic or out of place
• Teams say: “Let’s just reuse what we had before”
• A solution is applied before the problem is fully understood

If it feels familiar but slightly wrong, boilerplate might be at work.

WHY

Boilerplate thrives on convenience. The following situations describe why teams favor boilerplate:

• Speed over thinking: Reusing is faster than reconsidering.
• Consistency pressure: Uniformity feels like quality.
• Cognitive shortcuts: Templates reduce decision-making.
• Institutional memory: “What worked before” becomes the default.

The problem isn’t reuse. It’s unexamined reuse.

HOW

The purpose of boilerplate is to reduce effort – never to replace intent.

To use it well, apply these strategies:

• Start with the problem, not the template: Reuse should follow understanding, not precede it.
• Adapt, don’t copy: Templates are starting points, not final answers.
• Audit regularly: What made sense once may no longer apply.
• Watch for drift: Repeated reuse can slowly degrade relevance.
• Balance consistency with context: Not everything needs to look or behave the same.

Good boilerplate accelerates decisions. Bad boilerplate avoids them.

PRO TIP

Question boilerplate and adapt – when in doubt, remove. Remember that any element added to a design WILL get implemented.

EXAMPLES

The following list describes situation where boilerplate was used poorly:

• Reusing a layout that doesn’t fit the content
• Copy-pasting UX patterns across unrelated flows
• Using generic microcopy that doesn’t match the context
• Applying a design system component where it doesn’t belong
• Shipping the same solution to different problems

CONCLUSION

Boilerplate is a tool. When used well, it creates speed and consistency. But used blindly, it creates friction and irrelevance. The goal therefore must be to use boilerplate with intent.

Good design comes from research, ideation, rapid prototyping, and consistency. Boilerplate can help building consistent prototypes quickly and identify poor design decisions quickly. Keep in mind that research and ideation is still on you, don’t press on without it.