Human Interface Guidelines (HIG)

Human Interface Guidelines (HIG) are sets of design recommendations that define how interfaces should look, feel, and behave. They’re a reference for creating cohesive and user-centered digital products, especially for specific operating systems or platforms. While the term is most closely associated with Apple, many technology providers publish similar guidelines to promote consistency and usability across their software ecosystems.

These guidelines cover visual design, interaction patterns, navigation structures, typography, iconography, and system feedback. HIG documents aim to standardize user expectations, reduce cognitive load, and ensure a smooth user experience. By following these guidelines, designers and developers create interfaces that align with platform conventions and user mental models.

A key idea in HIG is consistency. Users become familiar with common patterns such as button placement, gesture behavior, or alert styling. By following pre-defined interface elements and behaviors, designers reduce the learning curve for users. At the same time, these standards help teams avoid reinventing common patterns, making design and development more efficient.

HIG documents also focus on usability and accessibility. They include recommendations for contrast ratios, scalable text, tap targets, and support for assistive technologies. These features make digital products more inclusive and easier to use for a wide range of users, including those with visual, motor, or cognitive impairments.

While HIGs are created for a specific platform – iOS, Android, or Windows – the underlying principles are universal. Design guidelines encourage clarity, feedback, affordance, and alignment between user goals and system behavior. Even when designing for custom environments, teams can benefit from studying HIGs to inform best practices.

Following Human Interface Guidelines helps maintain visual and functional consistency across applications, reduces friction, and improves satisfaction. It also simplifies collaboration between design and development by providing a shared reference point for interface decisions. HIGs evolve with new technologies, devices, and user expectations.

Learn more about this in our Apple Human Interface Guidelines Course.

Key features of Human Interface Guidelines (HIG)

• Standardizes interface patterns for consistency and usability
• Covers layout, navigation, interaction, and visual design principles
• Promotes accessibility through inclusive design practices
• Serves as a shared reference for design and development teams
• Reduces user learning curves by reinforcing familiar patterns
• Adaptable to various platforms, not limited to one ecosystem
• Regularly updated to reflect new design trends and technologies