hig-foundations

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 Prioritize content over chrome. Reduce visual clutter. Use system-provided materials and subtle separators rather than heavy borders and backgrounds. 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. 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. Match platform conventions. Align look and behavior with system standards. Provide direct, responsive manipulation and clear feedback for every action. Respect privacy. Request permissions only when needed, explain why clearly, provide value before asking for data. Design for minimal data collection. Support internationalization. Accommodate text expansion, right-to-left scripts, and varying date/number formats. Use Auto Layout for dynamic content sizing. 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: Color + Dark Mode + Accessibility -- Custom palettes must work in both modes while maintaining WCAG contrast ratios. Start with system semantic colors. Typography + Accessibility + Layout -- Dynamic Type must scale without breaking layouts. Use text styles and Auto Layout for the full range of type sizes. Icons + Branding + SF Symbols -- Custom icons should match SF Symbols weight and optical sizing. Brand elements should integrate without overriding system conventions. Motion + Accessibility + Feedback -- Every animation must have a Reduce Motion alternative. Motion should reinforce spatial relationships, not decorate. 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?