Style Guides

Documentation outlining the many aspects of a user interface are called Styleguides or Design Guidelines. They describe the visual style, the color palette, the icon style, the interaction rules, and more for the user interface. These documents are an important part of the UI Design process for several reasons. Below are some of the benefits of style guides from several perspectives:

• End Users
   - Reduced errors
   - Less frustration
   - Increased morale
   - Improved efficiency
   - Increased confidence
   - Reduced resistance to new technology

• Developers
   - Maintain control over look and feel
   - Minimize re-invention
   - Capitalize on learning
   - Enable production of reusable software
   - Reduce development time

• Business Team
   - Increase market awareness
   - Increase product awareness
   - Reduce training costs
   - Improve staff retention
   - Increase user acceptance of new systems

Below are several links to examples of Design Guidelines or Styleguides:

• Java Look and Feel Guidelines - Java guidelines published by Sun.
• Apple Human Interface Guidelines - Apple UI published by Apple.
• Web Design Guidelines - Web design guidelines published by IBM.
• Gnome User Interface Guidelines - UI guidelines published by Red Hat.
• Web Publishing Style Guide - Styleguide published by Carnegie Mellon University. •