Apple and Google guidelines, how they differ and how to choose the right one when developing an application design

Following these recommendations allows you to create clear, intuitive, and attractive interfaces that provide a positive user experience. In this article, we will discuss the key design principles for both platforms.


Design Guidelines for Android: Material Design

Material Design is a design language developed by Google to enhance user interaction with Android applications. The main principles of Material Design include:

1. Materiality: Material Design mimics real-world objects with physical properties such as light, shadows, and depth. This creates a sense of reality and comprehensibility for users.

2. Animation and Motion: Animations in Material Design should be smooth and purposeful. They help users understand changes in the interface and interactions between different elements.

3. Layout and Grid: Using a grid for placing interface elements ensures a harmonious and consistent look for the app. Material Design recommends using an 8dp grid for aligning elements.

4. Colors and Typography: The color palette in Material Design is based on primary and secondary colors, allowing for the creation of vibrant and expressive interfaces. Typography should be simple and clear, with a distinct separation between headings, text, and hints.

5. Icons and Images: Icons in Material Design should be simple, clear, and match the app’s style. The use of images should be justified and support the overall design concept.


Design Guidelines for iOS: Human Interface Guidelines

Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines (HIG) are a set of recommendations that help developers create convenient and attractive applications for iOS. The main principles of HIG include:

1. Clarity: Interfaces should be clear and intuitive for users. All elements should have a clear purpose and be easily accessible.

2. Cohesiveness: All interface elements should work together as a whole. This includes a harmonious combination of colors, fonts, and other visual elements.

3. Feedback: The interface should respond to user actions quickly and predictably. This includes visual cues and animations that help users understand how the app works.

4. Layout and Grid: iOS uses flexible grids and layouts that allow apps to look good on various devices. Apple recommends adhering to the principles of “clarity” and “minimalism” in design.

5. Typography: In iOS, great attention is paid to typography. Using the system font San Francisco ensures readability and consistency with other applications.

6. Icons and Images: Icons should be simple and clear, with distinct outlines and minimal details. Images should match the app’s style and support the overall design concept.


Comparison and Conclusions

While the design guidelines for Android and iOS have many similarities, they also have some key differences that reflect each platform’s philosophy and approach to design.

• Material Design is characterized by a more vibrant and expressive style, with an emphasis on the physical properties of interface elements.

• Human Interface Guidelines focus on simplicity, minimalism, and clarity, ensuring a smooth and convenient user experience.


Conclusion

Adhering to these guidelines allows you to create applications that meet user expectations and provide a high level of convenience and aesthetics. The choice of platform and corresponding recommendations depends on the target audience and project specifics, but the main principles of clarity, cohesiveness, and feedback are common to both systems.