Despite you put yourself on a thread that is years old, I'll try to give an explanation:
The posts you linked refer to the visual representation of data on the Node-RED dashboard. The dashboard is kind of a "standard" web page, powered by NR flows. The elements on this page can be customized "as you like". The posts you link give you some examples of what's possible.
The look of a node in the NR editor yet is standardized. You may alter some properties (like it's color), but the editor defines the shape / appearance of the nodes in the workspace.
