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A set of Human Interface Guidelines, or HIG, is a software development document that attempts to create a common look and feel for all user interfaces in a particular environment, by enumerating specific policies. Policy decisions are often based on studies of human-computer interaction, and are typically aimed at user-friendliness and making the interfaces more "intuitive".
The central aim of a HIG is to create a consistent experience across the environment (generally an operating system or desktop environment), including the applications and other tools being used. This means both applying the same visual design and creating consistent access to and behaviour of common elements of the interface - from simple ones such as buttons and icons up to more complex constructions, such as dialog boxes. A HIG will probably also define standard terminology and semantics related to certain elements or actions.
Examples of HIGs include Apple's, for programs using its Aqua interface, and that of the GNOME project.
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