Guidelines are considered to be the best resource that designers and developer can use to ensure that the applications and web sites they produce are usable. Operating systems, devices, and development environments are very specific in nature. Because of this, their manufacturers have devised their own set of usability, user experience and user interface guidelines.
There is a newer version of this article:
Official Usability, User Experience And User Interface Guidelines From Companies (2016)
This week I would like to share with you the official links to these guidelines. Please note that there are some excellent guidelines which have not been included since I limited my selection to those that link to the manufacturers’ web sites. Also, this list is by no means exhaustive and will be periodically updated. Still, it is a good starting point that will hopefully lead you to more resources. If you have any other recommendations, please feel free to send them over.
Adobe
Apple
- iPhone & iPad (iOS) User Experience Guidelines
- iPhone & iPad (iOS) User Interface Guidelines
- Mac OS X User Experience Guidelines
- Mac OS X User Interface Guidelines
BlackBerry
- Blackberry Browser Content Design Guidelines (PDF)
- User Interface Guidelines for Blackberry Playbook Tablet
- User Interface Guidelines for Blackberry Smartphones
- Android User Interface Guidelines
- Design Principles
- Google TV Web Site Optimization Resources
- Website Design & Content Guidelines
HP
IBM
Microsoft
- Microsoft Surface User Experience Guidelines
- Windows Mobile User Interface Guidelines
- Windows Phone User Experience Design Guidelines
- Windows Touch User Interface Guidelines
- Windows User Experience & User Interface Guidelines
Motorola
Nokia
- Design & User Experience Library
- Design Principles
- Hildon UI Style Guide
- Symbian Design Guidelines
- Usability & Design Resources
- User Experience Resources
Oracle
Samsung
SAP
SonyEricsson
Disclaimer: Brand names, logos and trademarks shown in this article remain the property of their respective owners. The listing of any company or their logos is not intended to imply any endorsement or direct affiliation. Logos have only been used to make it easier for the reader to locate the respective guidelines. All links to the guidelines open in their respective proprietor’s site. None of the guidelines listed in this article are owned by this website or are being stored on it.
Want to learn more?
If you’d like to become an expert in UX Design, Design Thinking, UI Design, or another related design topic, then consider to take an online UX course from the Interaction Design Foundation. For example, Design Thinking, Become a UX Designer from Scratch, Conducting Usability Testing or User Research – Methods and Best Practices. Good luck on your learning journey!
