Things you should (and must) know before you design and develop cross-platform applications. And even if you are developing your app only for one platform, it is always essential to know the official design principles for the platform you are developing for.

 

For designers and developers (devigners?) 😉

Follow these Cross-platform guidelines from Google, Apple, and Microsoft (there are guidelines even for Linux distros) before you develop your application, note that there are also guidelines for the wearable devices (smart-watches etc.). Check out the attached URL’s below, And you are more than welcome to add your own links.

 

Microsoft

Google

• Android Mobile guidelines
• Android Wearable guidelines
• Android TV guidelines
• Universal Material Design guidelines

 

Apple

 

 

 

What abut Linux?

Well, there are Design guidelines even for Linux, in fact, each desktop environment has its own unique guidelines. And there are so many Linux Distros (distributions) with so many UX approaches and philosophies, but I’m gonna focus only on the popular desktop environments that I tried myself.

As a professional UX designer, I love Elementary OS, and Ubuntu Mate, because you get that Mac-like UX out of the box (Pantheon & Cupertino Desktop).

 

Elementary OS

• ElemetaryOS UX Guidelines
• ElementaryOS Dev center
• The best Linux Distro for Mac users!

 

Gnome (Linux)

• Gnome UI elements
• Gnome Design principles
• Gnome Design patterns

 

KDE (Linux)

• KDE Design principles
• KDE Visual design

 

 

Update:

If you are a UI/UX designer or a UX developer: Check out my article about the best FOSS and Free alternatives for professional design and creative tools.