Projects/Usability/HIG: Difference between revisions

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= Structure =
__NOTOC__
<div style="display: none;">
= KDE Human Interface Guidelines =
== Conceptual Model ==
* Real World, Vision
== Task Flow ==
* Core usability goals, Use cases / User requirements, Task aggregation
* Personas, Scenarios, Usability criteria, Feature list
== Organizational Model ==
* [[Terminology]]
* Information architecture, Interface management, Window style, Basic arrangement, Screen design, Design Pattern
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/CentralConfiguration|central configuration]] (content tbd.)
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/NotificationMechanism|Notification mechanism]] (content tbd.)
*Minimize to tray (perhaps at behaviour>navigation)
</div>


= Behaviour =
The KDE Human Interface Guidelines (HIG) offer application designers and developers a set of recommendations for designing and developing user interfaces. Their aim is to improve the experience for users by making application interfaces more consistent and hence more intuitive and learnable.  
== Viewing and Navigation ==
=== General navigation ===
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Dialogs|Dialogs]]
* Accordion
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Tabs_Pages|Tabs and Pages in Dialogs]]
* Toolbar
* Status bar
* Paging
=== Access functions ===
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Menu_Bar|Menu Bar]]
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Buttons|Buttons]]
** [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Toggle_Buttons|Toggle Buttons]]
* Links
* Keyboard Access
** [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Keyboard_Accelerators|Keyboard Accelerators]]
** [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Keyboard_Shortcuts|Keyboard Shortcuts]]
=== Grouping ===
* Group box, Panel
* Splitter
=== Complex views ===
* Use a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/ListView| List View]] to show some items out of one category.
* Tree view
* Grids
* If you really need to create your own widget follow the guidelines for [[Projects/Usability/HIG/CustomControls| custom controls]].


== Editing and Manipulation ==
== Getting Started ==
=== Selection ===
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Presentation/DesignVisionPrinciples|Design Vision and Principles]] - The overall vision and principles that guide the design and development of user interfaces for KDE software.
* Use [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Radio Buttons|radio buttons]] for 1 of a few n selections.
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Concept|Concept]] -  Creating a project vision, determining the users, and the scenarios of use.
* Use one or more [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Check_Box|check boxes]] for clear options or n of a few m selections.
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Organization|Organization]] - Guidelines on how an application’s content and functionality are ordered and categorized.
* Use a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/DropDown| drop-down]] list for 1 of a few n selection.
* Use a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Combo_Box| combo box]] for 1 of a few n selection where users should be able to add items.
* Use a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/ListView|list view]] for 1 of some m (singular) selections.
* Apply the [[Projects/Usability/HIG/DualList| dual list]] pattern for n of m (multiple) selections.


=== Unconstrained input ===
== Behaviour ==
* Provide a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/LineEdit| line edit]] to enter one line of text.
This section contains guidelines for application behaviour.
* Provide a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/edits| text edit]] to enter multiple lines of texts.
* Consider to provide inline editing with complex views.


=== Constrained input ===
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/ViewingAndNavigation|Viewing and Navigation]] - Guidelines on controls and patterns to use for viewing, navigating and performing actions on application content.
* Use a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Spin_Box|Spin Box]] for numerical input within a range and with fix steps.
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/EditingAndManipulation|Editing and Manipulation]] - Guidelines on controls and patterns to use for selection and input.
* Use a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Slider|Slider]] for arbitrary changes within a defined range.
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/UserAssistance|User Assistance]] - Guidelines on tooltips, notifications, messages and help.
* (Under construction): Numeric input with both large changes and precise control: [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Slider_and_Spin_Box|Slider and Spin Box]]
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Patterns|Patterns]] - Guidelines on how to use controls in different combinations to accomplish specific behaviors.
* Use [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Date_Time_Pickers|Date and Time Pickers]] for formatted input of datum, time of day, or periods etc.


== User Assistance ==
== Presentation ==
=== User-driven information ===
Presentation deals with the visual design of the user interface.
* Provide [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Tooltip|tool-tips]] for user driven information.


=== System triggered notification ===
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Layout|Layout]] - Guidelines regarding the placement and ordering of onscreen elements. Includes guidance on layout patterns, alignment, size and spacing.
* Provide a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/MessageWidget| message panel]] to inform users about non-critical problems.
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Style|Style]] - Guidelines on the use of colour, icon design and the typography to communicate with a consistent visual vocabulary.
* Use a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Notifications|notification]] as system-triggered message to acknowledge about events out of the current context.
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Text|Text]] - Guidelines for the written, language-based elements of the interface. Includes guidelines on wording, capitalization and localization.
* Show a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/ProgressIndicator| progress indicator]] for lengthy actions.


=== Disruptive messages ===
== Tools and Resources ==
* Show a modal [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Messages|message dialog]] if the processing has reached an unexpected condition that needs interaction.
The following tools and resources are offered to help with following these guidelines.


=== Help system ===
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/ControlsList|Controls List]] - A complete listing of all user interface controls and their guidelines in alphabetical order.
* Support the user by an elaborated interface or per [[Projects/Usability/HIG/HelpSystem|help system]].
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/MockupToolkit|Mockup Toolkit]] - Includes UI controls stencils, color swatches and fonts to help create the visual design your application.
* [[/About|About the HIG]] - Learn more about the philosophy behind the KDE HIG.
* [http://forum.kde.org/viewforum.php?f=285 Visual Design Group forum] - Ask for help and share your design ideas.


= Presentation =
== Layout ==
* Resizing
* Default and minimal size
* Spacing
* 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
== Style ==
== Text ==
* Language localizations
* Static text
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Labels|Control Labels]]
** [[Projects/Usability/HIG/KNS|KNewStuff Button Labels]]
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Wording|Wording]]
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Ellipsis|Ellipsis]]
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Capitalization|Capitalization]]
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Contractions|Contractions (don't, there's, etc.)]]
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Exclamation_points|Exclamation Points]]
See also:
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Tablet/Index|HIG for Plasma Active]]
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Netbook/Index|HIG for Plasma Netbook]]
=Contributing=
Didn't find what you were looking for?
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=
'''B'''
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Buttons|Buttons]]
'''C'''
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Capitalization|Capitalization]]
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Contractions|Contractions (don't, there's, etc.)]]
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Check_Box|Check Box]]
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Combo_Box|Combo Box]]
'''D'''
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Date_Time_Pickers|Date and Time Pickers]]
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Dialogs|Dialogs]]
'''E'''
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Ellipsis|Ellipsis]]
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Exclamation_points|Exclamation Points]]
'''F'''
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Form_Label_Alignment|Forms: Label Alignment]]
'''K'''
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/KNS|KNewStuff Button Labels]]
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Keyboard_Accelerators|Keyboard Accelerators]]
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Keyboard_Shortcuts|Keyboard Shortcuts]]
'''L'''
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Labels|Labels]]
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/ListView|List Views]]
'''M'''
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Menu_Bar|Menu Bar]]
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Messages|Messages]]
'''R'''
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Radio Buttons|Radio Buttons]]
'''S'''
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Slider|Slider]]
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Slider_and_Spin_Box|Slider and Spin Box]]
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Spin_Box|Spin Box]]
'''T'''
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Tabs_Pages|Tabs and Pages in Dialogs]]
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Toggle_Buttons|Toggle Buttons]]
'''W'''
* [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Wording|Wording]]


[[Category:Usability]]
[[Category:Usability]]
----
'''Legacy Stuff'''
[[Projects/Usability/HIG/Lists_Rich_Lists|List Views]]
Please add any guidelines questions or requests to the [[Projects/Usability/HIG_Questions|HIG Questions]] page.
Also see the [[Projects/Usability/HIG/SOU_Workspace|Season of Usability HIG & Design Patterns Workspace]].

Revision as of 20:53, 28 September 2014

KDE Human Interface Guidelines

The KDE Human Interface Guidelines (HIG) offer application designers and developers a set of recommendations for designing and developing user interfaces. Their aim is to improve the experience for users by making application interfaces more consistent and hence more intuitive and learnable.

Getting Started

  • Design Vision and Principles - The overall vision and principles that guide the design and development of user interfaces for KDE software.
  • Concept - Creating a project vision, determining the users, and the scenarios of use.
  • Organization - Guidelines on how an application’s content and functionality are ordered and categorized.

Behaviour

This section contains guidelines for application behaviour.

  • Viewing and Navigation - Guidelines on controls and patterns to use for viewing, navigating and performing actions on application content.
  • Editing and Manipulation - Guidelines on controls and patterns to use for selection and input.
  • User Assistance - Guidelines on tooltips, notifications, messages and help.
  • Patterns - Guidelines on how to use controls in different combinations to accomplish specific behaviors.

Presentation

Presentation deals with the visual design of the user interface.

  • Layout - Guidelines regarding the placement and ordering of onscreen elements. Includes guidance on layout patterns, alignment, size and spacing.
  • Style - Guidelines on the use of colour, icon design and the typography to communicate with a consistent visual vocabulary.
  • Text - Guidelines for the written, language-based elements of the interface. Includes guidelines on wording, capitalization and localization.

Tools and Resources

The following tools and resources are offered to help with following these guidelines.

  • Controls List - A complete listing of all user interface controls and their guidelines in alphabetical order.
  • Mockup Toolkit - Includes UI controls stencils, color swatches and fonts to help create the visual design your application.
  • About the HIG - Learn more about the philosophy behind the KDE HIG.
  • Visual Design Group forum - Ask for help and share your design ideas.
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