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

Conceptual Model

Have a clear vision what your application will achieve and what not.
Meet the needs of KDE's personas in your application.
Define a scenario where persona(s) interact with your application.
Specify requirements considering destinata and animata of users.

Design Vision and Principles

Get to know the design vision and principles for KDE Applications and Workspaces.

Task Flow

Users should be able to complete tasks in natural work flow.

Organizational Model

Information architecture, Interface management, Window style, Basic arrangement, Screen design, Design Pattern

Central configuration
Notification mechanism
Minimize to tray
Processing of passwords
Implement a search as common pattern.

Behaviour

Viewing and Navigation

Access functions

Apply a menu bar to every standard application.
Try to omit the status bar from your application.
Provide a context menu for controls with implicit functions.
Provide a toolbar for frequently used 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.
Follow the guidelines for dialogs for secondary windows.

Grouping

Arrange associated controls by using a labeled group box or an unlabeled frame.
Allow users to resize aligned groups by placing a splitter between the groups.
Use tabs to show related information on separate pages.
Provide an accordion (aka tool box) for different views to content.

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 selection of 1 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 inform 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

Become familiar with design vision and principles to understand how the visual design plays its role in fulfilling them.

Style

The following style elements provide a palette to express your own unique vision while preserving the shared design vision.

Use colors consistently.
Ensure backgrounds and edges honor the design vision.
Icon design and use should be consistent throughout the interface.
Layout visual elements to reduce clutter and ensure balance.
- Use appropriate size and spacing to create breathing room.
- Follow the alignment guidelines.
- Icons with text should be laid out in a consistent manner.
Treat typography with the same care as any other aspect of the visual design.
- Keep wording consistent and easy to understand.
- Understand when and where to apply capitalization.
- Apply standard control labels in your app.
- Use static text for main instruction and supplemental information.
- Account for localization of your project.

Building blocks

Building blocks help make it easier to design applications that satisfy the design vision without needing to always create your own custom UI elements.

Visual Design Tools and Resources

Try the mock-up toolkit which includes UI controls stencils, color swatches and fonts to help create the visual design your application.
Ask for help and share your visual design ideas on the KDE Visual Design Group forum.

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.

Projects/Usability/HIG