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| = Introduction = | | __NOTOC__ |
| | = KDE Human Interface Guidelines = |
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| Human interface guidelines (HIG) are software development documents that offer | | 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. |
| 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. | |
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| [[/About|Learn more about the philosophy behind the KDE HIG]] | | == Getting Started == |
| | * [[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. |
| | * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Concept|Concept]] - Creating a project vision, determining the users, and the scenarios of use. |
| | * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Organization|Organization]] - Guidelines on how an application’s content and functionality are ordered and categorized. |
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| = Structure = | | == Behaviour == |
| <div style="display: none;">
| | This section contains guidelines for application behaviour. |
| == Conceptual Model ==
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| * Real World, Vision
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| == Task Flow ==
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| * Core usability goals, Use cases / User requirements, Task aggregation
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| * Personas, Scenarios, Usability criteria, Feature list
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| == Organizational Model ==
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| * [[Terminology]]
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| * Information architecture, Interface management, Window style, Basic arrangement, Screen design, Design Pattern
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| * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/CentralConfiguration|central configuration]] (content tbd.)
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| * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/NotificationMechanism|Notification mechanism]] (content tbd.)
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| *Minimize to tray (perhaps at behaviour>navigation)
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| </div>
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| = Behaviour =
| | * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/ViewingAndNavigation|Viewing and Navigation]] - Guidelines on controls and patterns to use for viewing, navigating and performing actions on application content. |
| == Viewing and Navigation ==
| | * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/EditingAndManipulation|Editing and Manipulation]] - Guidelines on controls and patterns to use for selection and input. |
| === Access functions ===
| | * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/UserAssistance|User Assistance]] - Guidelines on tooltips, notifications, messages and help. |
| * Apply a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Menu_Bar|menu bar]] to every standard application. | | * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Patterns|Patterns]] - Guidelines on how to use controls in different combinations to accomplish specific behaviors. |
| * Try to omit the [[Projects/Usability/HIG/StatusBar| status bar]] from your application. | |
| * Provide a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/ContextMenu|context menu]] for controls with implicit functions.
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| * Provide a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Toolbar|toolbar]] for frequently used functions.
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| * 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.
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| * Support keyboard access by [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Keyboard_Accelerators|accelerators]] and [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Keyboard_Shortcuts|shortcuts]].
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| * Follow the guidelines for [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Dialogs|dialogs]] for secondary windows.
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| === Grouping === | | == Presentation == |
| * Arrange associated controls by using a labeled [[Projects/Usability/HIG/GroupBox| group box]] or an unlabeled [[Projects/Usability/HIG/GroupBox| frame]].
| | Presentation deals with the visual design of the user interface. |
| * Allow users to resize aligned groups by placing a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Splitter| splitter]] between the groups.
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| * Use [[Projects/Usability/HIG/TabControl|tabs]] to show related information on separate pages.
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| * Provide an [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Accordion|accordion]] (aka tool box) for different views to content.
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| === Complex views ===
| | * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Layout|Layout]] - Guidelines regarding the placement and ordering of onscreen elements. Includes guidance on layout patterns, alignment, size and spacing. |
| * Use a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/ListView| list view]] to show some items out of one category. | | * [[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/TreeView| tree view]] to show items with a single, natural, hierarchical categorization. | | * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Text|Text]] - Guidelines for the written, language-based elements of the interface. Includes guidelines on wording, capitalization and localization. |
| * 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]].
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| == Editing and Manipulation == | | == Tools and Resources == |
| === Selection ===
| | The following tools and resources are offered to help with following these guidelines. |
| * Use [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Radio Buttons|radio buttons]] for selection of 1 out of a few items.
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| * 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.
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| * Use a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/DropDown| drop-down]] list for selection of 1 out of a small number of items.
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| * 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.
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| * Use a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/ListView|list view]] to select 1 singular item out of a potentially big list.
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| * Apply the [[Projects/Usability/HIG/DualList| dual list pattern]] for several selections out of a large number of (multiple) items.
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| === Unconstrained input ===
| | * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/ControlsList|Controls List]] - A complete listing of all user interface controls and their guidelines in alphabetical order. |
| * Provide a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/LineEdit| line edit]] to enter one line of text. | | * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/MockupToolkit|Mockup Toolkit]] - Includes UI controls stencils, color swatches and fonts to help create the visual design your application. |
| * Provide a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/TextEdit| text edit]] to enter multiple lines of texts. | | * [[/About|About the HIG]] - Learn more about the philosophy behind the KDE HIG. |
| * Use a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/TableView| table view]] to arrange data in rows and columns with inline editing feature. | | * [http://forum.kde.org/viewforum.php?f=285 Visual Design Group forum] - Ask for help and share your design ideas. |
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| === Constrained input ===
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| * Use a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Spin_Box|spin box]] for numerical input within a range and with fix steps.
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| * Use a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Slider|slider]] for arbitrary changes within a defined range.
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| * Apply the [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Slider_and_Spin_Box|slider and spin box pattern]] for numeric input with both large changes and precise control.
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| * Use [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Date_Time_Pickers|date and time pickers]] for formatted input of datum, time of day, or periods etc.
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| == User Assistance ==
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| === User-driven information ===
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| * Provide [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Tooltip|tool-tips]] for user driven information.
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| === System triggered notification ===
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| * Provide a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/MessageWidget| message panel]] to inform users about non-critical problems.
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| * Use a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Notifications|notification]] as system-triggered message to inform about events out of the current context.
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| * Show a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/ProgressIndicator| progress indicator]] for lengthy actions.
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| === Disruptive messages ===
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| * Show a modal [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Messages|message dialog]] if the processing has reached an unexpected condition that needs interaction.
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| === Help system ===
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| * Support the user by an elaborated interface or per [[Projects/Usability/HIG/HelpSystem|help system]].
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| = Presentation =
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| == Layout ==
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| * Resizing
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| * Default and minimal size
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| * Spacing
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| * Carefully place control according the KDE [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Alignment| alignment]] style.
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| * Do not use [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Color| color]] as primary method of communication.
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| * Choose icons from the Oxygen icon set and follow guidelines on [[Projects/Usability/HIG/IconDesign| icon design]].
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| == Style ==
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| == Text ==
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| * Keep [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Wording|wording]] consistent and easy to understand.
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| * Take care about [[Projects/Usability/HIG/localization| localization]] of your project.
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| * Static text
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| * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Labels|Control Labels]]
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| ** [[Projects/Usability/HIG/KNS|KNewStuff Button Labels]]
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| * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Ellipsis|Ellipsis]]
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| * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Capitalization|Capitalization]]
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| * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Contractions|Contractions (don't, there's, etc.)]]
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| * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Exclamation_points|Exclamation Points]]
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| See also:
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| * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Tablet/Index|HIG for Plasma Active]]
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| * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Netbook/Index|HIG for Plasma Netbook]]
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| =Contributing=
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| Didn't find what you were looking for?
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| A guide to the guide can be found at the [[Projects/Usability/HIG/About|about page]].
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| 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.
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| =Index=
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| '''B'''
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| * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Buttons|Buttons]]
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| '''C'''
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| * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Capitalization|Capitalization]]
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| * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Contractions|Contractions (don't, there's, etc.)]]
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| * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Check_Box|Check Box]]
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| * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Combo_Box|Combo Box]]
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| '''D'''
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| * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Date_Time_Pickers|Date and Time Pickers]]
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| * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Dialogs|Dialogs]]
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| '''E'''
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| * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Ellipsis|Ellipsis]]
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| * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Exclamation_points|Exclamation Points]]
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| '''F'''
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| * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Form_Label_Alignment|Forms: Label Alignment]]
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| '''K'''
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| * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/KNS|KNewStuff Button Labels]]
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| * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Keyboard_Accelerators|Keyboard Accelerators]]
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| * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Keyboard_Shortcuts|Keyboard Shortcuts]]
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| '''L'''
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| * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Labels|Labels]]
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| * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/ListView|List Views]]
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| '''M'''
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| * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Menu_Bar|Menu Bar]]
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| * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Messages|Messages]]
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| '''R'''
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| * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Radio Buttons|Radio Buttons]]
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| '''S'''
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| * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Slider|Slider]]
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| * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Slider_and_Spin_Box|Slider and Spin Box]]
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| * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Spin_Box|Spin Box]]
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| '''T'''
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| * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Tabs_Pages|Tabs and Pages in Dialogs]]
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| * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Toggle_Buttons|Toggle Buttons]]
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| '''W'''
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| * [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Wording|Wording]]
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| [[Category:Usability]] | | [[Category:Usability]] |
