Principles of Great Design – Apple
Great design is about understanding people: what they need, how they think, and how they use a product. These principles help designers make better decisions and create products that people enjoy using.
1. Purpose
Make something that is useful and meaningful.
Remember:
- –Before designing, ask:
- –What problem am I solving?
- –Why will people use this?
- –Focus on the most important features.
- –Don't add unnecessary things.
- –Make your product different by solving the problem better.
Example: A calculator app should help people calculate quickly not include social media features.
2. Agency
Give people control over the experience.
Remember:
- –People should feel free to use the app their own way.
- –Don't force users through unnecessary steps.
- –Let users skip tutorials or onboarding if they want.
- –Always allow Undo or Back when possible.
- –Help users recover from mistakes easily.
Example: If someone deletes a photo, show an "Undo" option.
3. Responsibility
Respect people's privacy and build trust.
Remember:
- –Users trust your app with their information.
- –Explain why you need permissions.
- –Collect only the data you actually need.
- –Protect users' information.
- –Be honest about how data is used.
Example: If your app asks for location, explain: "We use your location to show nearby restaurants."
4. Familiarity
Use designs people already understand.
Remember:
- –People learn faster when things work the way they expect.
- –Follow common design patterns.
- –Keep buttons and navigation consistent.
- –Give clear feedback after every action.
Example: Use a shopping cart icon for purchases because everyone recognizes it.
5. Flexibility
Design for different people and different situations.
Remember:
- –Everyone uses technology differently.
- –Make your app accessible.
- –Support different screen sizes.
- –Support touch, keyboard, mouse, voice, and other inputs.
- –Keep the experience consistent across devices.
Example: Your app should work well on both phones and tablets.
6. Simplicity
Keep everything clear and easy.
Remember:
- –Simple doesn't mean empty. It means removing anything that isn't helpful.
- –Show only what's necessary.
- –Use short and clear text.
- –Organize content so people know where to look.
Example: Instead of writing: "Proceed to Authentication." Write: "Sign In".
7. Craft
Pay attention to every detail.
Remember:
- –Small details make a product feel professional.
- –Use high-quality visuals.
- –Create smooth animations.
- –Write clear text.
- –Test your design often.
- –Keep improving after launch.
Example: A button should respond instantly when tapped.
8. Delight
Make people enjoy using your product.
Remember:
- –People remember how your app makes them feel.
- –Think about the emotion you want to create.
- –Add small enjoyable moments.
- –Don't let fun get in the way of usability.
- –Great experiences come from many small details.
Example: A cheerful animation after completing a task makes users smile without slowing them down.