Consider removing style variations from the block toolbar

[richtabor]

Are these variations useful in the block toolbar, or are they just adding noise by providing an another way to apply a style variation?

I lean towards removing them from the block toolbar and reserving this space for when transforms and alternate patterns are available. It seems like additional noise as-is.

[jasmussen]

As is, I'd agree it's mostly noise. Conceptually, though, I don't know that either the styles panel in the inspector, or even the dropdown (whether transforms, variations, patterns) are in a good place. But conceptually those all still feel related to me: you transform from one thing into another, and the "transform control center", wherever that lives, could be a place you go to see what other options this block might have. I've noted this in the past and we haven't had bandwidth to look at it, but I still believe it to be true. Whether we can remove this one in the mean time, I don't know — it doesn't offend me that it exists here, even if it does still look like an unfulfilled opportunity.

[richtabor]

But conceptually those all still feel related to me: you transform from one thing into another, and the "transform control center", wherever that lives, could be a place you go to see what other options this block might have.

I suppose I see transforms a bit more formally, where the intent is to change the block into something else, rather than set a different visual style for it.

Like in these examples below, the styles seem quite disconnected from the other more intentional options. Makes me wonder if "Styles" is a subset of transforms, or somehow related, or alternate types of transforms (which maybe they are?).

Perhaps if we have nested dropdowns this would be cleared up, but then again I don't think this popover should become an alternative/extension to the block options menu.

[jasmussen]

I recall some of the very first G2 redesign mockups had those style transforms in a nested dropdown, complete with previews and everything. One of the benefits of keeping it accessible from the block toolbar is that you'd still have access to it if you toggle off the inspector, for a neater writing experience.

I do agree the current appearance is anemic.

[spencerfinnell]

To me the disconnect comes from the additional divider between the transformation options. Is the first one the primary suggestion?

Two clearly labeled, and clearly grouped sections makes sense in that dropdown to me. However, I think the tooltip itself could be made clearer about what is possible at all in that menu: