Apple HIG: Design Foundations
Check for .claude/apple-design-context.md before asking questions. Use existing context and only ask for information not already covered.
Key Principles
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Prioritize content over chrome. Reduce visual clutter. Use system-provided materials and subtle separators rather than heavy borders and backgrounds.
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Build in accessibility from the start. Design for VoiceOver, Dynamic Type, Reduce Motion, Increase Contrast, and Switch Control from day one. Every interactive element needs an accessible label.
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Use system colors and materials. System colors adapt to light/dark mode, increased contrast, and vibrancy. Prefer semantic colors (
label,secondaryLabel,systemBackground) over hard-coded values. -
Use platform fonts and icons. SF Pro, SF Compact, SF Mono by default. New York for serif. Follow the type hierarchy at recommended sizes. Use SF Symbols for iconography.
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Match platform conventions. Align look and behavior with system standards. Provide direct, responsive manipulation and clear feedback for every action.
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Respect privacy. Request permissions only when needed, explain why clearly, provide value before asking for data. Design for minimal data collection.
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Support internationalization. Accommodate text expansion, right-to-left scripts, and varying date/number formats. Use Auto Layout for dynamic content sizing.
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Use motion purposefully. Animation should communicate meaning and spatial relationships. Honor Reduce Motion by providing crossfade alternatives.
Reference Index
| Reference | Topic | Key content |
|---|---|---|
| accessibility.md | Accessibility | VoiceOver, Dynamic Type, color contrast, motor accessibility, Switch Control, audio descriptions |
| app-icons.md | App Icons | Icon grid, platform-specific sizes, single focal point, no transparency |
| branding.md | Branding | Integrating brand identity within Apple's design language, subtle branding, custom tints |
| color.md | Color | System colors, Dynamic Colors, semantic colors, custom palettes, contrast ratios |
| dark-mode.md | Dark Mode | Elevated surfaces, semantic colors, adapted palettes, vibrancy, testing in both modes |
| icons.md | Icons | Glyph icons, SF Symbols integration, custom icon design, icon weights, optical alignment |
| images.md | Images | Image resolution, @2x/@3x assets, vector assets, image accessibility |
| immersive-experiences.md | Immersive Experiences | AR/VR design, spatial immersion, comfort zones, progressive immersion levels |
| inclusion.md | Inclusion | Diverse representation, non-gendered language, cultural sensitivity, inclusive defaults |
| layout.md | Layout | Margins, spacing, alignment, safe areas, adaptive layouts, readable content guides |
| materials.md | Materials | Vibrancy, blur, translucency, system materials, material thickness |
| motion.md | Motion | Animation curves, transitions, continuity, Reduce Motion support, physics-based motion |
| privacy.md | Privacy | Permission requests, usage descriptions, privacy nutrition labels, minimal data collection |
| right-to-left.md | Right-to-Left | RTL layout mirroring, bidirectional text, icons that flip, exceptions |
| sf-symbols.md | SF Symbols | Symbol categories, rendering modes, variable color, custom symbols, weight matching |
| spatial-layout.md | Spatial Layout | visionOS window placement, depth, ergonomic zones, Z-axis design |
| typography.md | Typography | SF Pro, Dynamic Type sizes, text styles, custom fonts, font weight hierarchy, line spacing |
| writing.md | Writing | UI copy guidelines, tone, capitalization rules, error messages, button labels, conciseness |
Applying Foundations Together
Consider how principles interact:
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Color + Dark Mode + Accessibility -- Custom palettes must work in both modes while maintaining WCAG contrast ratios. Start with system semantic colors.
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Typography + Accessibility + Layout -- Dynamic Type must scale without breaking layouts. Use text styles and Auto Layout for the full range of type sizes.
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Icons + Branding + SF Symbols -- Custom icons should match SF Symbols weight and optical sizing. Brand elements should integrate without overriding system conventions.
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Motion + Accessibility + Feedback -- Every animation must have a Reduce Motion alternative. Motion should reinforce spatial relationships, not decorate.
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Privacy + Writing + Onboarding -- Permission requests need clear, specific usage descriptions. Time them to when the user will understand the benefit.
Output Format
- Cite the specific HIG foundation with file and section.
- Note platform differences for the user's target platforms.
- Provide concrete code patterns (SwiftUI/UIKit/AppKit).
- Explain accessibility impact (contrast ratios, Dynamic Type scaling, VoiceOver behavior).
Questions to Ask
- Which platforms are you targeting?
- Do you have existing brand guidelines?
- What accessibility level are you targeting? (WCAG AA, AAA, Apple baseline?)
- System colors or custom?
Related Skills
- hig-platforms -- How foundations apply per platform (e.g., type scale differences on watchOS vs macOS)
- hig-patterns -- Interaction patterns where foundations like writing and accessibility are critical
- hig-components-layout -- Structural components implementing layout principles
- hig-components-content -- Content display using color, typography, and images
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