GNOME Human Interface Guidelines

From the Introduction

This document tells you how to create applications that look right, behave properly, and fit into the GNOME user interface as a whole. It is written for interface designers, graphic artists and software developers who will be creating software for the GNOME environment. Both specific advice on making effective use of interface elements, and the philosophy and general design principles behind the GNOME interface are covered.

These guidelines will help you write applications that are easy to use and consistent with the GNOME desktop. Following these guidelines will have many benefits:

Users will learn to use your program faster, because interface elements will look and behave the way they are used to.
Novice and advanced users alike will be able accomplish tasks quickly and easily, because the interface won't be confusing or make things difficult.
Your application will have an attractive look that fits in with the rest of the desktop.
Your application will continue to look good when users change desktop themes, fonts and colors.
Your application will be accessible to all users, including those with disabilities or special needs.

To help you achieve these goals, these guidelines will cover basic interface elements, how to use them and put them together effectively, and how to make your application integrate well with the desktop.

The recommendations here build on design aspects that have worked well in other systems, including Mac OS, Windows, Java and KDE. At the same time they retain a uniquely GNOME flavor.

Getting the Current HIG (v2.0)

What's new in 2.0?

A summary of the important changes is available here. You can also browse a complete marked-up copy of HIG 2.0 with the changes from v1.0 highlighted.

Working Draft

You can also browse a working draft of the HIG online. This will become the next HIG release after undergoing review. While it contains material not found in the current stable release, it may also contain errors or guidelines that will be modified in the review process.

Two versions are available:

Auto-generated draft is generated whenever new changes are checked in.
Source in cvs shows the DocBook sources and changes.
Marked-up draft with revisions highlighted (last updated 09-Jun-2005). Highlights additions (yellow), deletions (red) and changes (green) since the last release, to make it easier to review. However it's usually a few days out of sync with the auto-generated draft.

Note: the draft version of the HIG currently tracks page hits via a free account at StatCounter.com (please contact the GUP if you know of a more OSS-friendly alternative!). This information will help the HIG team to prioritize areas of future development. No personal information is sent to StatCounter, but if you still do not wish your HIG usage to be tracked, please use the latest stable release.

Feedback

We'd like to hear your thoughts, either specific or general, on the HIG. Please send them to hig@gnome.org, or usability@gnome.org if you prefer public commentary.