Introduction

Material UI cards are an important part of modern web design. They make it simple for users to access and interact with important information, whether text, images, or a combination of the two. Developers can use Material UI to easily create powerful and interactive cards that integrate seamlessly into their website design. This article will go over the various features, benefits, and applications of Material UI cards to give web developers a thorough understanding of how the component can help them create beautiful and engaging user experiences.

Steps we'll cover:

What is Material UI?
Getting started with Material UI Card
Other MUI Card Variants
- Image Cards
- Outlined Cards
MUI Card Component Classes
MUI Card Interactions
Building a simple Blog Layout with React and MUI Cards

What is Material UI?

Material UI is a React-based UI framework designed to aid in the creation of consistent user interfaces across web and mobile applications. It includes a large library of components and tools to help developers easily create modern user interfaces.

It provides a comprehensive library of components and tools to help developers create modern user interfaces with ease. Some of which include:
Input components
Surface components
Data Display components
Navigation components
Feedback components
Layout components

The Material UI Card is an example of the MUI Surfaces.

Getting started with Material UI Card

Cards contain information and actions about a single topic. Material UI cards are an excellent way to add a visually appealing, well-organized layout to a website quickly. They are simple to use and can be customized with various options such as colors, sizes, and images. To make a card, simply choose the card component from the Material UI library and customize it to your specifications. You can also add content to the card quickly, such as text, images, and buttons. Material UI cards are an excellent way to quickly improve the visual appeal and organization of a website.

Here’a a demo of how to use MUI Cards:

import * as React from 'react';
import Box from '@mui/material/Box';
import Card from '@mui/material/Card';
import CardActions from '@mui/material/CardActions';
import CardContent from '@mui/material/CardContent';
import Button from '@mui/material/Button';
import Typography from '@mui/material/Typography';

const bull = (
  <Box
    component="span"
    sx={{ display: 'inline-block', mx: '2px', transform: 'scale(0.8)' }}
  >
    •
  </Box>
);

export default function CardDemo() {
  return (
    <div style={{margin: '25%'}}>
    <Card sx={{ maxWidth: 600 }}>
      <CardContent>
        <Typography variant='h3'  gutterBottom>
          A Simple MUI Card
        </Typography>
        <Typography variant="h4" component="div">
         Heading
        </Typography>
        <Typography sx={{ mb: 1.5 }} color="text.secondary">
          describes the heading
        </Typography>
        <Typography variant="body1">
          Card content
          <br />
          {'"describes the content"'}
        </Typography>
      </CardContent>
      <CardActions>
        <Button size="small">Card Button</Button>
      </CardActions>
    </Card>
    </div>
  );
}

The code above represents a simple MUI Card component that is used to convey a message or specific information to users while they are browsing your web app.

Although cards can support multiple actions, UI controls, and an overflow menu, use caution and keep in mind that cards are gateways to more complex and detailed information. They should be simple to scan for relevant and actionable data. Text and images, for example, should be placed on them in a way that clearly indicates hierarchy.

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Other MUI Card Variants

Image Cards

The image card is a more interactive card type. This card allows developers to include an image or icon, as well as a title and description. This makes it easier to convey a message to the user in a timely and effective manner.

import * as React from 'react';
import Card from '@mui/material/Card';
import CardActions from '@mui/material/CardActions';
import CardContent from '@mui/material/CardContent';
import CardMedia from '@mui/material/CardMedia';
import Button from '@mui/material/Button';
import Typography from '@mui/material/Typography';
import Chevrolet from '../Images/Chevrolet.jpg'

export default function MediaCard() {
  return (
    <div style={{margin: '25%'}}>
    <Card sx={{ maxWidth: 345 }}>
      <CardMedia
        component="img"
        height="140"
        image={Chevrolet}
        alt="Chevrolet"
      />
      <CardContent>
        <Typography gutterBottom variant="h5" component="div">
          Lizard
        </Typography>
        <Typography variant="body2" color="text.secondary">
        Chevrolet is an iconic American car brand known for its reliable, dependable, and affordable vehicles. Founded in 1911, Chevy has become one of the most recognizable car brands in the world.
        </Typography>
      </CardContent>
      <CardActions>
        <Button size="small">Share</Button>
        <Button size="small">Learn More</Button>
      </CardActions>
    </Card>
    </div>
  );
}

The demo code above showcases how to use a card with an image to help reinforce the content. Here’s the result:

Outlined Cards

This variant of the Material UI Card is meant to be used when there is a need to reduce the prominence of the card, such as when it is part of a list of other cards. It has a thin border that outlines the card and a slightly less prominent title. Set variant=outlined to render an outlined card like this:

import * as React from 'react';
import Box from '@mui/material/Box';
import Card from '@mui/material/Card';
import CardActions from '@mui/material/CardActions';
import CardContent from '@mui/material/CardContent';
import Button from '@mui/material/Button';
import Typography from '@mui/material/Typography';

const bull = (
  <Box
    component="span"
    sx={{ display: 'inline-block', mx: '2px', transform: 'scale(0.8)' }}
  >
    •
  </Box>
);

export default function CardDemo() {
  return (
    <div style={{margin: '25%'}}>
    <Card sx={{ maxWidth: 600 }} variant='outlined'>
      <CardContent>
        <Typography variant='h3'  gutterBottom>
          An Outlined MUI Card
        </Typography>
        <Typography variant="h4" component="div">
         Heading
        </Typography>
        <Typography sx={{ mb: 1.5 }} color="text.secondary">
          describes the heading
        </Typography>
        <Typography variant="body1">
          Card content
          <br />
          {'"describes the content"'}
        </Typography>
      </CardContent>
      <CardActions>
        <Button size="small">Card Button</Button>
      </CardActions>
    </Card>
    </div>
  );
}

MUI Card Component Classes

The Material UI Card Component is an excellent tool for organizing and displaying data. It includes classes for creating card containers, card titles, card contents, card images, and card actions, among other things. These classes can be used to create cards with a distinct look and feel, making them more visually appealing and understandable. Furthermore, the Material UI Card Component supports a wide range of customization options, such as custom designs, color palettes, and other UI components.

Some of these classes include:

<Card /> - This is the main card class used to create the card container.
<CardActionArea/> - This component wraps children in a single Button, creating a ripple effect when clicked.
<CardActions/> - This is a flexbox component that adds 8px padding to the children and 8px horizontal padding between them. It is used to add action buttons, such as ‘Like’ or ‘Share’, to the card.
<CardContent/> - This component places children inside a single <div> element and adds 16px padding to all sides. If the child is the last one in the group, it also adds an additional 24px of padding at the bottom.
<CardHeader/> - This class is used to generate a header within the card, which is commonly used for titles, subtitles, or other headings.
<CardMedia/> - This class is used to add a media element to the card, such as an image, video, or audio clip.

MUI Card Interactions

MUI Card Interactions are a Material Design feature that allows users to interact with data quickly and easily. Users can quickly scan the data and decide what action to take by using cards with a title, content, and action. This results in a more fluid, intuitive user experience, as the user can quickly access and interact with the data without having to scroll or search for it. This feature also displays a visual representation of the data to the user, making it easier to digest and comprehend the information.

Consider the code below:

import * as React from 'react';
import { styled } from '@mui/material/styles';
import Card from '@mui/material/Card';
import CardHeader from '@mui/material/CardHeader';
import CardContent from '@mui/material/CardContent';
import CardActions from '@mui/material/CardActions';
import Collapse from '@mui/material/Collapse';
import Avatar from '@mui/material/Avatar';
import IconButton, { IconButtonProps } from '@mui/material/IconButton';
import Typography from '@mui/material/Typography';
import { red } from '@mui/material/colors';
import FavoriteIcon from '@mui/icons-material/Favorite';
import ShareIcon from '@mui/icons-material/Share';
import ExpandMoreIcon from '@mui/icons-material/ExpandMore';
import MoreVertIcon from '@mui/icons-material/MoreVert';

interface ExpandMoreProps extends IconButtonProps {
  expand: boolean;
}

const ExpandMore = styled((props: ExpandMoreProps) => {
  const { expand, ...other } = props;
  return <IconButton {...other} />;
})(({ theme, expand }) => ({
  transform: !expand ? 'rotate(0deg)' : 'rotate(180deg)',
  marginLeft: 'auto',
  transition: theme.transitions.create('transform', {
    duration: theme.transitions.duration.shortest,
  }),
}));

export default function RecipeReviewCard() {
  const [expanded, setExpanded] = React.useState(false);

  const handleExpandClick = () => {
    setExpanded(!expanded);
  };

  return (
    <div style={{margin: '25%'}}>
    <Card sx={{ maxWidth: 345 }}>
      <CardHeader
        avatar={
          <Avatar sx={{ bgcolor: red[500] }} aria-label="recipe">
            D
          </Avatar>
        }
        action={
          <IconButton aria-label="settings">
            <MoreVertIcon />
          </IconButton>
        }
        title="Doro Onome Churchill"
        subheader="nomzykush@gmail.com"
      />
      <CardContent>
        <Typography variant="body2" color="text.secondary">
        Front-end developer and Technical writer with keen attention to detail and a passion for delivering content as interactive as it is educational.
        </Typography>
      </CardContent>
      <CardActions disableSpacing>
        <IconButton aria-label="add to favorites">
          <FavoriteIcon />
        </IconButton>
        <IconButton aria-label="share">
          <ShareIcon />
        </IconButton>
        <ExpandMore
          expand={expanded}
          onClick={handleExpandClick}
          aria-expanded={expanded}
          aria-label="show more"
        >
          <ExpandMoreIcon />
        </ExpandMore>
      </CardActions>
      <Collapse in={expanded} timeout="auto" unmountOnExit>
        <CardContent>
          <Typography paragraph>Chevrolet Description</Typography>
          <Typography paragraph>
          Chevrolet is an iconic American automobile brand founded in 1911 by Louis Chevrolet and William C. Durant
          </Typography>
          <Typography paragraph>
          It is currently the fourth-largest automotive brand in the United States and is a division of General Motors. Chevrolet has become one of America’s most iconic brands, producing reliable and stylish cars, trucks, and SUVs for over a century. Its models range from the economical Spark to the luxurious Corvette.
          </Typography>
          <Typography paragraph>
          Chevrolet is also known for its commitment to safety, providing advanced features like lane departure warning and front crash prevention. (Discard any mussels that don&apos;t open.)
          </Typography>
        </CardContent>
      </Collapse>
    </Card>
    </div>
  );
}

The code above describes an interactive MUI Card component that allows users to click on one of its icons to reveal more information on a specific concept related to the content of the card.

Here’s the result:

Building a simple Blog Layout with React and MUI Cards

Using React and MUI Cards to create a simple blog layout is an excellent way to create an engaging blog page. React components are simple to use and customize, whereas MUI Cards are an excellent way to present content visually. React components make it simple to add posts and other content to the page, while MUI Cards style the content and make it more engaging.

Here’s a simple illustration:

import * as React from 'react';
import { styled } from '@mui/material/styles';
import Card from '@mui/material/Card';
import CardHeader from '@mui/material/CardHeader';
import CardContent from '@mui/material/CardContent';
import CardActions from '@mui/material/CardActions';
import Collapse from '@mui/material/Collapse';
import Avatar from '@mui/material/Avatar';
import IconButton, { IconButtonProps } from '@mui/material/IconButton';
import Typography from '@mui/material/Typography';
import { blue } from '@mui/material/colors';
import FavoriteIcon from '@mui/icons-material/Favorite';
import ShareIcon from '@mui/icons-material/Share';
import ArrowForwardIcon from '@mui/icons-material/ArrowForward';
import MoreVertIcon from '@mui/icons-material/MoreVert';

interface ExpandMoreProps extends IconButtonProps {
  expand: boolean;
}

const ExpandMore = styled((props: ExpandMoreProps) => {
  const { expand, ...other } = props;
  return <IconButton {...other} />;
})(({ theme, expand }) => ({
  transform: !expand ? 'rotate(0deg)' : 'rotate(180deg)',
  marginLeft: 'auto',
  transition: theme.transitions.create('transform', {
    duration: theme.transitions.duration.shortest,
  }),
}));

export default function RecipeReviewCard() {
  const [expanded, setExpanded] = React.useState(false);

  const handleExpandClick = () => {
    setExpanded(!expanded);
  };

  return (
    <>

    <div style={{margin: '5em', textAlign: 'center'}}>
    <h1>Blog Layout</h1>
    <h3>Some Kind of Title</h3>
    </div>

    <div style={{margin: '0 25%', display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'row', justifyContent: 'center', border: '1px solid #000', padding: '2em'}}>
    <hr/>
    <Card sx={{ maxWidth: 345 }} style={{marginRight: '5em'}} variant='outlined'>
      <CardHeader
        avatar={
          <Avatar sx={{ bgcolor: blue[500] }} aria-label="recipe">
            B
          </Avatar>
        }
        action={
          <IconButton aria-label="settings">
            <MoreVertIcon />
          </IconButton>
        }
        title="Blog Title"
        subheader="Blog Subtitle"
      />
      <CardContent>
        <Typography variant="body2" color="text.secondary">
        Chevrolet is one of the most recognizable and popular car brands in the world. Founded in 1911 by Louis Chevrolet and William C. Durant, the brand has become a symbol of quality and reliability
        </Typography>
      </CardContent>
      <CardActions disableSpacing>
        <h4>Read More</h4>
        <ExpandMore
          expand={expanded}
          onClick={handleExpandClick}
          aria-expanded={expanded}
          aria-label="show more"
       >
         <ArrowForwardIcon/>
        </ExpandMore>
      </CardActions>
      <Collapse in={expanded} timeout="auto" unmountOnExit>
        <CardContent>
          <Typography paragraph>Chevrolet Description</Typography>
          <Typography paragraph>
          Chevrolet is an iconic American automobile brand founded in 1911 by Louis Chevrolet and William C. Durant
          </Typography>
          <Typography paragraph>
          It is currently the fourth-largest automotive brand in the United States and is a division of General Motors. Chevrolet has become one of America’s most iconic brands, producing reliable and stylish cars, trucks, and SUVs for over a century. Its models range from the economical Spark to the luxurious Corvette.
          </Typography>
          <Typography paragraph>
          Chevrolet is also known for its commitment to safety, providing advanced features like lane departure warning and front crash prevention. (Discard any mussels that don&apos;t open.)
          </Typography>
        </CardContent>
      </Collapse>
    </Card>


    <Card sx={{ maxWidth: 345 }}>
      <CardHeader
        avatar={
          <Avatar sx={{ bgcolor: blue[500] }} aria-label="recipe">
            B
          </Avatar>
        }
        action={
          <IconButton aria-label="settings">
            <MoreVertIcon />
          </IconButton>
        }
        title="Blog Title"
        subheader="Blog Subtitle"
      />
      <CardContent>
        <Typography variant="body2" color="text.secondary">
        Chevrolet is one of the most recognizable and popular car brands in the world. Founded in 1911 by Louis Chevrolet and William C. Durant, the brand has become a symbol of quality and reliability
        </Typography>
      </CardContent>
      <CardActions disableSpacing>
        <h4>Read More</h4>
        <ExpandMore
          expand={expanded}
          onClick={handleExpandClick}
          aria-expanded={expanded}
          aria-label="show more"
        >
          <ArrowForwardIcon />
        </ExpandMore>
      </CardActions>
      <Collapse in={expanded} timeout="auto" unmountOnExit>
        <CardContent>
          <Typography paragraph>Chevrolet Description</Typography>
          <Typography paragraph>
          Chevrolet is an iconic American automobile brand founded in 1911 by Louis Chevrolet and William C. Durant
          </Typography>
          <Typography paragraph>
          It is currently the fourth-largest automotive brand in the United States and is a division of General Motors. Chevrolet has become one of America’s most iconic brands, producing reliable and stylish cars, trucks, and SUVs for over a century. Its models range from the economical Spark to the luxurious Corvette.
          </Typography>
          <Typography paragraph>
          Chevrolet is also known for its commitment to safety, providing advanced features like lane departure warning and front crash prevention. (Discard any mussels that don&apos;t open.)
          </Typography>
        </CardContent>
      </Collapse>
    </Card>
    </div>
    </>
  );
}

Here’s the result:

Conclusion

This article demonstrated the significance of Material UI in web applications. We discovered that MUI Cards are an effective way to present content in a visually appealing and user-friendly manner by describing its features, classes, and variants. They are simple to set up, offer numerous customization options, and can be used to provide a consistent user experience. We also investigated a possible application for MUI Cards in a simple Blog Page Layout.

I hope you find this article valuable
Happy Coding!

How to use Material UI Card Component

Introduction

What is Material UI?

Getting started with Material UI Card

Does your CRUD app need server state management?

Other MUI Card Variants

Image Cards

Outlined Cards

MUI Card Component Classes

MUI Card Interactions

Building a simple Blog Layout with React and MUI Cards

Conclusion