Guidelines
UI design guidelines are a set of principles and best practices that guide the creation of a user interface that is both visually pleasing and easy to use.
User interface (UI) design guidelines are a set of principles and best practices that guide the creation of an interface that is both visually pleasing and easy to use. They ensure design consistency and harmony, and let users navigate and interact with the interface intuitively. The major platforms publish their own – Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines, Google’s Material Design, Microsoft’s Fluent – and every design system formalises a version specific to its product.
The key guidelines
Clear, concise labels
A button says what it does, a field says what it expects. Action verbs and the user’s own vocabulary beat internal jargon.
Consistent navigation and layout
The same elements stay in the same places and behave the same way from one screen to the next: users learn once, then move on without thinking about it.
Fonts, colours and contrast
Suitable fonts, a sufficient size and contrast that meets the WCAG recommendations ensure optimal readability, including in bright sunlight or on a small screen.
Visual hierarchy
Size, weight, colour and spacing signal what matters. The primary action clearly stands out from secondary ones.
Responsive design
The interface adapts to devices, orientations and input methods, from keyboard to touch.
Accessibility from the start
Text size options, colour contrast, keyboard navigation and compatibility with screen readers are part of the guidelines, not a step added at the end.
Applying the guidelines
By following these guidelines, designers create interfaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also improve the overall user experience. They replace neither user research nor testing: they set a common foundation, which is then checked with the people who actually use the product.