Fixing .govuk-template--rebranded Background Color Issue

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Fixing `.govuk-template--rebranded` Background Color Configuration

Introduction

Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into an issue that many of you might have encountered while working with the GOV.UK Frontend library. Specifically, we're talking about the .govuk-template--rebranded's background color not being properly configured by the template-background functional color. This is a sneaky little bug that can cause inconsistencies in your design, and we're here to help you understand it and, more importantly, fix it!

When you're theming your GOV.UK projects, you naturally expect that setting the template-background functional color should apply consistently across all template variations. However, there's a catch: it doesn't always play nice with .govuk-template--rebranded. Let's get into the details and see how we can ensure that your background colors behave as expected.

Understanding the Issue

The core problem lies in how the template-background functional color is applied within the GOV.UK Frontend library. Ideally, when you set this color, it should affect both .govuk-template and .govuk-template--rebranded. However, what actually happens is that the color is correctly applied to .govuk-template, but .govuk-template--rebranded stubbornly sticks to its internal $_govuk-rebrand-template-background-colour variable. This discrepancy leads to inconsistent background colors, which can be a real headache for maintaining a cohesive design.

The Technical Details

To really grasp what's going on, let's break down the technical aspects:

  1. Functional Colors: GOV.UK Frontend uses functional colors to allow developers to define colors based on their purpose rather than specific values. This approach promotes consistency and makes it easier to update colors across the project.
  2. .govuk-template: This class is the base template for GOV.UK projects. It defines the basic structure and styling.
  3. .govuk-template--rebranded: This is a variation of the base template that includes specific rebranding styles.
  4. $_govuk-rebrand-template-background-colour: This is an internal variable within the GOV.UK Frontend library that defines the background color for the rebranded template.

The issue arises because the template-background functional color, when set, doesn't override the $_govuk-rebrand-template-background-colour variable. This means that the rebranded template ignores the configured template-background and uses its default internal color instead. This is not the behavior you'd expect, and it can lead to visual inconsistencies.

Why This Matters

Consistency is key in design, especially in government services. Inconsistent background colors can create a jarring user experience and undermine the sense of a unified brand. By ensuring that the template-background functional color applies uniformly, you can maintain a consistent and professional look across your GOV.UK project.

Steps to Reproduce the Issue

To really see this issue in action, you can follow these steps to reproduce it:

  1. Set the template-background Functional Color: In your project, define a specific color for the template-background functional color. This is typically done in your Sass or CSS files.
  2. Apply .govuk-template: Use the .govuk-template class in your HTML structure and observe that the background color is correctly applied.
  3. Apply .govuk-template--rebranded: Now, switch to using the .govuk-template--rebranded class in your HTML. You'll notice that the background color does not match the one you set for the template-background functional color. Instead, it uses the default color defined by $_govuk-rebrand-template-background-colour.
  4. Unit Tests: For a more technical reproduction, you can refer to the unit tests provided. These tests demonstrate the discrepancy in background color application between the two template classes.

By following these steps, you can clearly see that the template-background functional color is not being consistently applied, leading to the issue we're addressing.

Actual vs. Expected Behavior

Actual Behavior

Currently, when the template-background functional color is set, it only applies to the .govuk-template class. The .govuk-template--rebranded class, on the other hand, ignores this setting and uses its internal $_govuk-rebrand-template-background-colour variable for the background color.

Expected Behavior

The expected behavior is that the template-background functional color should apply uniformly across both .govuk-template and .govuk-template--rebranded. This means that regardless of which template class you use, the background color should always match the one defined by the template-background functional color.

This consistent behavior ensures that your design remains cohesive and predictable, regardless of the specific template variation you're using.

Environment

This issue is not specific to a particular operating system or browser. It's a problem within the GOV.UK Frontend library itself. However, here are some environment details that might be helpful:

  • Operating System: Mac
  • Browser: Firefox
  • GOV.UK Frontend Version: 6.0.0-beta.1 (but also applies to 5.13 and the $govuk-template-background-colour variable)

Knowing that this issue spans across different versions and environments highlights the importance of addressing it at the library level.

Proposed Solution

To fix this issue, we need to ensure that the template-background functional color overrides the $_govuk-rebrand-template-background-colour variable in the .govuk-template--rebranded class. Here’s a breakdown of how you can tackle this:

Overriding the Variable

One straightforward approach is to directly override the $_govuk-rebrand-template-background-colour variable with the value of the template-background functional color. This can be done in your Sass or CSS files.

Here’s an example of how you might do this:

$govuk-template-background-colour: govuk-colour("blue"); // Setting the template-background color to blue

.govuk-template--rebranded {
  background-color: $govuk-template-background-colour; // Overriding the rebranded template background color
}

This code snippet ensures that the .govuk-template--rebranded class uses the same background color as the .govuk-template class, effectively resolving the inconsistency.

Modifying the GOV.UK Frontend Library

For a more permanent solution, you might consider modifying the GOV.UK Frontend library itself. This involves updating the library’s code to ensure that the template-background functional color is correctly applied to both template classes.

Here’s a general outline of the steps involved:

  1. Locate the Relevant Code: Identify the code that defines the background color for the .govuk-template--rebranded class. This is typically found in the library’s Sass files.
  2. Update the Code: Modify the code to use the template-background functional color instead of the $_govuk-rebrand-template-background-colour variable.
  3. Test the Changes: Run unit tests to ensure that the changes don’t introduce any regressions or other issues.
  4. Submit a Pull Request: If you’re confident in your changes, submit a pull request to the GOV.UK Frontend repository.

By modifying the library, you can ensure that the template-background functional color is consistently applied across all projects that use the GOV.UK Frontend library.

Conclusion

Alright, folks! We've journeyed through the ins and outs of the .govuk-template--rebranded background color issue. By understanding the problem, reproducing it, and implementing the proposed solutions, you can ensure that your GOV.UK projects maintain a consistent and professional look.

Remember, consistency is key in design, and by addressing this issue, you're taking a significant step towards creating a better user experience. Keep experimenting, keep building, and keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible with the GOV.UK Frontend library!