PaperDots UI: Tactile 2D Paper & Ink-Dot Physics for the Living Web

Description and use

PaperDots UI delivers realistic paper and ink physics for interactive web elements, installable via CLI, enabling printmakers to build tactile interfaces without complex math.

Problem

Julian needed interactive web elements that feel like living ink and paper, but existing component libraries were too corporate and lacked tactile animations.

Outcome

PaperDots UI enabled Julian to create realistic paper‑like interactive web elements without needing shader or math expertise, and the library can be installed directly via CLI, simplifying integration.

Workflow

• 1. Julian expressed need for tactile UI.
• 2. Author built PaperDots UI with 100% light tactile components.
• 3. Developed distinct animations for each component (e.g., hydraulic‑pop, ripple‑wave).
• 4. Created 13 paper palettes and 12 spot inks for authentic print look.
• 5. Integrated open‑source AI (Gemma 2B + Tinker) to generate physics constants and shaders.
• 6. Distributed via Shadcn Registry and PaperDots CLI for easy installation.
• 7. Julian used the library to prototype interactive web edition of "Analog Futures".

Evidence

Julian was working on an interactive web edition of their print publication, "Analog Futures".

Source

PaperDots UI is a 100% light, tactile paper UI library that is directly installable via Shadcn CLI or PaperDots CLI.

Source

The prompt for this challenge required that open‑source AI be at the core of the project.

Source