PRIZM 4.0DSTA
Viewing C3 design language
C3

Design overview

C3 — command and control — is for systems where operators monitor and act on real-world events. Examples include air defence, mission control, and other operator-facing systems where every second on screen matters.

Design principles

Density over whitespace

Operators need to see a lot at once. C3 reduces padding, tightens typography, and shrinks decorative space so more information fits on screen without scrolling.

High contrast for clarity

C3 prioritises legibility under sustained focus. Text contrast meets WCAG AA across all four theme variants, with AAA reached for primary text where the design naturally allows, so information remains readable across long shifts and varying ambient light.

Colour carries meaning

Status colours (red, amber, green) appear consistently and never decoratively. A red badge means an actual problem. A blinking element warrants attention.

Designed for dark mode first

Most C3 installations run in dim rooms. Dark mode is the primary surface; light mode is the alternate. Token decisions favour dark-mode quality.

Keyboard before pointer

Every action has a keyboard path, and focus rings stay visible and unambiguous so operators always know where they are.

A C3-only surface treatment

C3 ships with liquid glass — a translucent surface treatment for floating panels over canvas content. Operators retain spatial awareness of the map or feed behind a panel rather than having it occluded. Available in both C3 light and C3 dark; not available in Enterprise.

When to use C3 vs Enterprise

Choose C3 when the product is operated by trained users in sustained monitoring sessions. Choose Enterprise when the product serves a wider audience under normal working conditions — back-office applications, customer-facing tools, internal portals.