14 DAY TRIAL // Delivering a unitary user experience across Windows 7 is a detail that’s virtually out of Microsoft’s hands. While providing the operating system, the Redmond-based company has no control over the look and feel of the applications designed to run on top of the Windows client. However, the software giant is offering the necessary resources for third-party developers to provide a consistent user experience on the platform with their programs. In this regard, devs can access and download the Windows User Experience Interaction Guidelines.
“Windows 7 has been getting very positive feedback for its improved user experience. Many of our partners are eager to build applications on this new Windows platform. In order to establish a high quality and consistency baseline for Windows-based applications, answer your UX design questions, and make your job easier, the Windows product team has published the official Windows UX Interaction Guidelines (a.k.a. UX Guide) last month,” revealed Qixing Zheng, UX Advisor, Microsoft Canada.
In addition to the Windows User Experience Interaction Guidelines that are now live on MSDN, developers can also download an over 800-page PDF document designed to make the UX interaction guide available offline. The focus on Windows 7 and Windows Vista will be immediately apparent, with Microsoft providing guidance when it comes to principles that impact Windows 7 UX Design, but also design concepts associated with Touch, the desktop, the taskbar, the Notification Area, notifications, Windows Desktop Gadgets, the Start Menu and User Account Control.
“There’s tons of valuable information in the 828-page guide from general design principles to concrete guidelines for each aspect of UX. In my opinion, the first 32 pages is a great design read which covers the UX design principles for Windows 7, a list of inspirations for how to design a great UX, top design guide violations, and much more. Many of the guidelines apply to software design in general whether you are designing for Windows, the web, or devices. Because Windows 7 also supports multi-touch, there’s a session in the UX guide which specifically focuses on guidelines for Touch Interactions,” Zheng added.