Theme showcase: better distinguish style variation options

[annezazu]

Quick summary

style.variations.1.mov

Steps to reproduce

Go to the WordPress.com Theme Showcase and select between different style variations for block themes. Notice they look too similar.

What you expected to happen

Style variations should be distinct and reflect the colors changing properly.

What actually happened

The style variations all look the same.

Impact

Some (< 50%)

Available workarounds?

No but the platform is still usable

If the above answer is "Yes...", outline the workaround.

No response

Platform (Simple and/or Atomic)

No response

Logs or notes

No response

[richtabor]

Well, that particular theme is styling that content strangely—and not accounting for the color change in the alternate style variations.

[richtabor]

I actually propose removing them from this grid view.

You're not deciding in this moment if you're going to use the theme, and this UI looks nothing like the same function on the single theme view—which is more in line with core's.

[annezazu]

Hmm I don't know about removing them. I would want to see in the grid if a theme came with variations at a glance along with patterns. If anything, I feel like we should better surface the themes with more power to them.

[richtabor]

I would want to see in the grid if a theme came with variations at a glance along with patterns.

I'd like if all block themes came with the same set of X color palettes. It doesn't have to be the full ~50 that Big Sky leverages, but perhaps the best 16 of those. And we can rotate them as trends change, etc.

The default styles/colors for each theme will still be super unique, but a standard set of palettes that work across could make the decision a bit less chaotic—i.e. "I like this theme, but these colors".

That way the decision is less "I like this theme because of the colors" and more of "I can use any of these colors with any of these."