Sign-in form
"Sign in" is used to log into the system, or to recover a lost password.
When to Use
Use this pattern when user needs to sign into the system.
Interaction and Behavior
General
The user may "tab" to navigate the form in the following order:
- First tab = active "Username" field
- Second tab = active "Password" field
- Third tab = focus on "Sign in" button
- Fourth tab = focus on hyperlink ("Forgot your password?")
- Fifth tab = return to top of the order.
Initial state
In its initial state the sign-in module consists of
- a Welcome message
- two text fields – Username and Password
- a link to retrieve the user's password
- a button to submit the user's credentials – Sign in
Error state
In the event that invalid credentials are submitted the sign-in module consists of
- an alert message informing the user that either the Username or Password is invalid
- two text fields – Username and Password, where the Username field will retain the initial entry as typed by the user and be the active field and the password field will be blank
- a link to retrieve the user's password
- a button to submit the user's credentials – Sign in
Password retrieval
If the user opts to retrieve their password via the hyperlink ("Forgot your password?") the sign-in module will display
- the title Password Help in the style of the Welcome message from the initial state
- instructional text explaining the process for retrieving one's password
- a text field to enter the user's email address used at the time of registration; a button to submit the user's email address and initiate the process – Retrieve Password
- a link to cancel the retrieval and return to the initial state of the sign-in module – "Back to Sign in"
Confirmation of password retrieval
Once a user submits their email address to retrieve their password, the module will provide a confirmation on the action via text in the module.
- the title Password Help in the style of the Welcome message from the initial state
- text confirming that an email has been sent
- a link to return to the initial state of the sign-in module – "Back to Sign in"
Error of password retrieval
In the event that the user enters an invalid email address, either by mistyping or by entering an unregistered email address, the module will display an alert message.
- the title Password Help in the style of the Welcome message from the initial state
- an alert message indicating the email address failed
- a text field to enter the user's email address used at the time of registration; a button to submit the user's email address and initiate the process – Retrieve Password
- a link to cancel the retrieval and return to the initial state of the sign-in module – "Back to Sign in"
Successful sign-out
When the user signs out of the system they are presented with the sign-in module as follows
- an alert message informing the user that sign-out was successful
- two text fields – Username and Password
- a link to retrieve the user's password
- a button to submit the user's credentials – Sign in.
Style
Suggested specifications.
The module container should be centered in the browser and should be some percentage of the width viewport (about one-half) but no less that 450px on desktop and tablet form factors.
Initial state
Error state
Password Retrieval
Confirmation of password retrieval
Error of password retrieval
Successful sign-out