Projects/Usability/HIG: Difference between revisions
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= Introduction = | |||
Human interface guidelines (HIG) are software development documents that offer | |||
application developers a set of recommendations. Their aim is to improve the | |||
experience for users by making application interfaces more consistent and | |||
hence more intuitive and learnable. | |||
[[/About|Learn more about the philosophy behind the KDE HIG]] | |||
= Structure = | = Structure = | ||
<div style="display: none;"> | |||
== Conceptual Model == | == Conceptual Model == | ||
* Real World, Vision | * Real World, Vision | ||
== Task Flow == | == Task Flow == | ||
* Core usability goals, Use cases / User requirements, Task aggregation | * Core usability goals, Use cases / User requirements, Task aggregation | ||
* Personas, Scenarios, Usability criteria, Feature list | * Personas, Scenarios, Usability criteria, Feature list | ||
== Organizational Model == | == Organizational Model == | ||
* [[Terminology]] | * [[Terminology]] | ||
* Information architecture, Interface management, Window style, Basic arrangement, Screen design, Design Pattern | * Information architecture, Interface management, Window style, Basic arrangement, Screen design, Design Pattern | ||
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* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/NotificationMechanism|Notification mechanism]] (content tbd.) | * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/NotificationMechanism|Notification mechanism]] (content tbd.) | ||
*Minimize to tray (perhaps at behaviour>navigation) | *Minimize to tray (perhaps at behaviour>navigation) | ||
</div> | |||
= Behaviour = | = Behaviour = | ||
== Viewing and Navigation == | == Viewing and Navigation == | ||
=== General navigation === | === General navigation === | ||
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Dialogs|Dialogs]] | * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Dialogs|Dialogs]] | ||
Line 26: | Line 33: | ||
* Paging | * Paging | ||
=== Access functions === | === Access functions === | ||
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Menu_Bar| | * Apply a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Menu_Bar|menu bar]] to every standard application. | ||
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Buttons| | * Provide a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/ContextMenu|context menu]] for controls with implicit functions. | ||
* | * Use a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Buttons|push button]] to initiate an action when the user clicks it. | ||
* | * Use a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Toggle_Buttons|toogle button]] to indicate a state, preferably in toolbars only. | ||
* Use a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Command_Link|command link]] to navigate between pages. | |||
* | * Support keyboard access by [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Keyboard_Accelerators|accelerators]] and [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Keyboard_Shortcuts|shortcuts]]. | ||
=== Grouping === | === Grouping === | ||
* | * Use a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/GroupBox| group box]] to arrange associated controls. | ||
* Splitter | * Use a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Panel| panel]] for arrangement of controls without a caption. | ||
* Allow users to resize aligned groups by placing a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Splitter| splitter]] between the groups. | |||
=== Complex views === | === Complex views === | ||
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/ | * Use a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/ListView| list view]] to show some items out of one category. | ||
* | * Use a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/TreeView| tree view]] to show items with a single, natural, hierarchical categorization. | ||
* | * If you really need to create your own widget follow the guidelines for [[Projects/Usability/HIG/CustomControls| custom controls]]. | ||
* Double check the guidelines about plotting [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Diagram|diagram/charts]]. | |||
== Editing and Manipulation == | == Editing and Manipulation == | ||
=== Selection === | === Selection === | ||
* Use | * Use [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Radio Buttons|radio buttons]] for 1 selection out of a few items. | ||
* Use one or more [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Check_Box|check boxes]] for clear options or | * Use one or more [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Check_Box|check boxes]] for clear options or to select items out of a small number of options. | ||
* Use a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/ | * Use a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/DropDown| drop-down]] list for selection of 1 out of a small number of items. | ||
* Use a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Combo_Box| | * Use a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Combo_Box| combo box]] to select 1 out of a small number of items where users should be able to add items. | ||
* | * Use a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/ListView|list view]] to select 1 singular item out of a potentially big list. | ||
* Apply the [[Projects/Usability/HIG/DualList| dual list pattern]] for several selections out of a large number of (multiple) items. | |||
=== Unconstrained input === | === Unconstrained input === | ||
* text | * Provide a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/LineEdit| line edit]] to enter one line of text. | ||
* | * Provide a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/TextEdit| text edit]] to enter multiple lines of texts. | ||
* | * Use a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/TableView| table view]] to arrange data in rows and columns with inline editing feature. | ||
=== Constrained input === | === Constrained input === | ||
* | * Use a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Spin_Box|spin box]] for numerical input within a range and with fix steps. | ||
* Use a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Slider|slider]] for arbitrary changes within a defined range. | |||
* Apply the [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Slider_and_Spin_Box|slider and spin box pattern]] for numeric input with both large changes and precise control. | |||
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/ | * Use [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Date_Time_Pickers|date and time pickers]] for formatted input of datum, time of day, or periods etc. | ||
== User Assistance == | == User Assistance == | ||
=== User-driven information === | === User-driven information === | ||
* | * Provide [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Tooltip|tool-tips]] for user driven information. | ||
=== System triggered notification === | === System triggered notification === | ||
* | * Provide a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/MessageWidget| message panel]] to inform users about non-critical problems. | ||
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Notifications| | * Use a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Notifications|notification]] as system-triggered message to acknowledge about events out of the current context. | ||
* | * Show a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/ProgressIndicator| progress indicator]] for lengthy actions. | ||
=== Disruptive messages === | === Disruptive messages === | ||
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Messages| | * Show a modal [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Messages|message dialog]] if the processing has reached an unexpected condition that needs interaction. | ||
=== Help system === | === Help system === | ||
* | * Support the user by an elaborated interface or per [[Projects/Usability/HIG/HelpSystem|help system]]. | ||
= Presentation = | = Presentation = | ||
== Layout == | == Layout == | ||
* Resizing | * Resizing | ||
* Default and minimal size | * Default and minimal size | ||
* Spacing | * Spacing | ||
* Alignment | * Carefully place control according the KDE [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Alignment| alignment]] style. | ||
* | * Do not use [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Color| color]] as primary method of communication. | ||
* Icons | * Icons | ||
== Style == | == Style == | ||
== Text == | == Text == | ||
* Language localizations | * Language localizations | ||
* Static text | * Static text | ||
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Didn't find what you were looking for? | Didn't find what you were looking for? | ||
Our Human Interface Guidelines are a work in progress and we need your help. | A guide to the guide can be found at the [[Projects/Usability/HIG/About|about page]]. | ||
Our Human Interface Guidelines are a work in progress and we need your help. Visit the [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Contributing|Contributing page]] to report problems or get involved. | |||
=Index= | =Index= | ||
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'''D''' | '''D''' | ||
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/ | * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Date_Time_Pickers|Date and Time Pickers]] | ||
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Dialogs|Dialogs]] | * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Dialogs|Dialogs]] | ||
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'''L''' | '''L''' | ||
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Labels|Labels]] | * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Labels|Labels]] | ||
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/ | * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/ListView|List Views]] | ||
'''M''' | '''M''' | ||
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[[Category:Usability]] | [[Category:Usability]] | ||
Revision as of 11:14, 26 September 2013
Introduction
Human interface guidelines (HIG) are software development documents that offer application developers a set of recommendations. Their aim is to improve the experience for users by making application interfaces more consistent and hence more intuitive and learnable.
Learn more about the philosophy behind the KDE HIG
Structure
Behaviour
- Dialogs
- Accordion
- Tabs and Pages in Dialogs
- Toolbar
- Status bar
- Paging
Access functions
- Apply a menu bar to every standard application.
- Provide a context menu for controls with implicit functions.
- Use a push button to initiate an action when the user clicks it.
- Use a toogle button to indicate a state, preferably in toolbars only.
- Use a command link to navigate between pages.
- Support keyboard access by accelerators and shortcuts.
Grouping
- Use a group box to arrange associated controls.
- Use a panel for arrangement of controls without a caption.
- Allow users to resize aligned groups by placing a splitter between the groups.
Complex views
- Use a list view to show some items out of one category.
- Use a tree view to show items with a single, natural, hierarchical categorization.
- If you really need to create your own widget follow the guidelines for custom controls.
- Double check the guidelines about plotting diagram/charts.
Editing and Manipulation
Selection
- Use radio buttons for 1 selection out of a few items.
- Use one or more check boxes for clear options or to select items out of a small number of options.
- Use a drop-down list for selection of 1 out of a small number of items.
- Use a combo box to select 1 out of a small number of items where users should be able to add items.
- Use a list view to select 1 singular item out of a potentially big list.
- Apply the dual list pattern for several selections out of a large number of (multiple) items.
Unconstrained input
- Provide a line edit to enter one line of text.
- Provide a text edit to enter multiple lines of texts.
- Use a table view to arrange data in rows and columns with inline editing feature.
Constrained input
- Use a spin box for numerical input within a range and with fix steps.
- Use a slider for arbitrary changes within a defined range.
- Apply the slider and spin box pattern for numeric input with both large changes and precise control.
- Use date and time pickers for formatted input of datum, time of day, or periods etc.
User Assistance
User-driven information
- Provide tool-tips for user driven information.
System triggered notification
- Provide a message panel to inform users about non-critical problems.
- Use a notification as system-triggered message to acknowledge about events out of the current context.
- Show a progress indicator for lengthy actions.
Disruptive messages
- Show a modal message dialog if the processing has reached an unexpected condition that needs interaction.
Help system
- Support the user by an elaborated interface or per help system.
Presentation
Layout
- Resizing
- Default and minimal size
- Spacing
- Carefully place control according the KDE alignment style.
- Do not use color as primary method of communication.
- Icons
Style
Text
- Language localizations
- Static text
- Control Labels
- Wording
- Ellipsis
- Capitalization
- Contractions (don't, there's, etc.)
- Exclamation Points
See also:
Contributing
Didn't find what you were looking for?
A guide to the guide can be found at the about page.
Our Human Interface Guidelines are a work in progress and we need your help. Visit the Contributing page to report problems or get involved.
Index
B
C
D
E
F
K
L
M
R
S
T
W