Recommended resources

All
Courses
Lessons
Exercises

Courses

Apple Human Interface Guidelines Course
Course

Apple Human Interface Guidelines

Denis Jeliazkov
Denis Jeliazkov
Master Apple's principles and patterns to create intuitive, consistent, and delightful experiences for iOS, macOS, iPadOS, and WatchOS.
Introduction to Figma Course
Course

Introduction to Figma

Gene Kamenez
Gene Kamenez
Master Figma's core functions from the ground up. Learn essential tools and workflows to streamline collaboration and enhance product development.
Common Design Patterns Course
Course

Common Design Patterns

Gene Kamenez
Gene Kamenez
Explore the most reusable and widely used design patterns in product design and learn how to implement these patterns successfully and create designs that are both user-friendly and visually appealing.
Accessibility Foundations Course
Course

Accessibility Foundations

Ljubisa Kukulj
Ljubisa Kukulj
Learn about designing products that are accessible and inclusive for all users, regardless of their abilities.
UI Components II Course
Course

UI Components II

Colin Michael Pace
Colin Michael Pace
Discover the intricacies of advanced user interface (UI) components and master the art of using them in accordance with the best practices.
Service Design Course
Course

Service Design

Fouad Jallouli
Fouad Jallouli
Explore the discipline of service design and gain practical knowledge to create exceptional experiences. Learn user research, journey mapping, prototyping, and other essential skills for service designers.
Mobile Design Course
Course

Mobile Design

Denis Jeliazkov
Denis Jeliazkov
Learn how to design world-class mobile apps and responsive websites for mobile devices.
Design Composition Course
Course

Design Composition

Gene Kamenez
Gene Kamenez
Craft balanced, engaging designs with composition principles that work.
Wireframing Course
Course

Wireframing

Colin Michael Pace
Colin Michael Pace
Master your wireframing skills to refine ideas and enhance collaboration.
CSS Foundations Course
Course

CSS Foundations

Yan Sokalau
Yan Sokalau
Gain control over website styling with essential CSS skills.
3D Design Foundations Course
Course

3D Design Foundations

Learn the basics of 3D design and start designing amazing and mind-bending experiences.
UX Design Patterns with Checklist Design Course
Course

UX Design Patterns with Checklist Design

Alesya Dzenga
Alesya Dzenga
Learn how to implement familiar design patterns for intuitive interactions.

Lessons

Layout Fundamentals & Spacing Lesson
Lesson

Layout Fundamentals & Spacing

Master Apple's core layout principles to create harmonious and balanced interfaces
Color Systems & Dark Mode Lesson
Lesson

Color Systems & Dark Mode

Master Apple's color system principles and implement effective dark mode experiences.
Accessibility & Inclusion Standards Lesson
Lesson

Accessibility & Inclusion Standards

Design inclusive interfaces that empower all users to interact confidently with Apple devices.
System Typography & SF Font Lesson
Lesson

System Typography & SF Font

Master Apple's SF font system to create perfectly legible and visually balanced interfaces.
Interface Materials & Layers Lesson
Lesson

Interface Materials & Layers

Master the art of creating depth and hierarchy using Apple's materials and layering system.
Navigation Architecture Lesson
Lesson

Navigation Architecture

Master the principles and patterns of Apple's navigation systems to create intuitive user journeys.
Icons & Symbols Guidelines Lesson
Lesson

Icons & Symbols Guidelines

Create clear, meaningful, and platform-consistent iconography using Apple's symbol system.
Spatial Design Principles by Apple Lesson
Lesson

Spatial Design Principles by Apple

Delve into spatial design principles pioneered by Apple and acquire skills for the dawn of a new design era
Platform Adaptivity & Scaling Lesson
Lesson

Platform Adaptivity & Scaling

Design interfaces that adapt naturally to each platform's unique capabilities and constraints.
Image Usage & Asset Design Lesson
Lesson

Image Usage & Asset Design

Create and implement visual assets that feel native to Apple platforms.
Preparing for the App Store & Google Play Store Lesson
Lesson

Preparing for the App Store & Google Play Store

Understand the process of preparing your app for release on the App Store & Google Play Store
Design Principles of Apple Platforms Lesson
Lesson

Design Principles of Apple Platforms

Master Apple's core design principles to create intuitive and platform-native experiences.
iOS App Design Lesson
Lesson

iOS App Design

Get familiar with the essential Human Interface Guidelines you need to know while building an app for iOS
Apple Platform-Specific Patterns Lesson
Lesson

Apple Platform-Specific Patterns

Master the distinctive design patterns that make apps feel native on each Apple platform.
System Buttons & Actions Lesson
Lesson

System Buttons & Actions

Master the implementation of Apple's system buttons to create more intuitive interfaces.

Exercises

App Store vs. Google Play Store
Exercise

App Store vs. Google Play Store

Exercise

Customization in iOS

iOS vs. Android bottom sheets
Exercise

iOS vs. Android bottom sheets

iOS architecture
Exercise

iOS architecture

Create a comprehensive product page
Exercise

Create a comprehensive product page

The principle of familiarity
Exercise

The principle of familiarity

Segmented buttons
Exercise

Segmented buttons

Using space
Exercise

Using space

Main app navigation
Exercise

Main app navigation

Consider launching preview apps
Exercise

Consider launching preview apps

Action menus
Exercise

Action menus

Adjusting scale
Exercise

Adjusting scale

Localize product pages
Exercise

Localize product pages

Minimum tap target size
Exercise

Minimum tap target size

Build custom product pages
Exercise

Build custom product pages

Exercise

Create helpful app previews

Primary call to action buttons
Exercise

Primary call to action buttons

Default typefaces
Exercise

Default typefaces

Windows as a new visual language
Exercise

Windows as a new visual language

iOS vs. Android modals
Exercise

iOS vs. Android modals

Back navigation
Exercise

Back navigation

Consider users’ field of view
Exercise

Consider users’ field of view

Exercise

Work with developers to prepare your app

Providing immersive experience
Exercise

Providing immersive experience

Exercise

Integration with other devices

Points
Exercise

Points

Design screenshots to demonstrate app value
Exercise

Design screenshots to demonstrate app value

Create stationary experiences
Exercise

Create stationary experiences

Test your product pages
Exercise

Test your product pages

The principle of human-centered design
Exercise

The principle of human-centered design

Create app icons
Exercise

Create app icons

Adding depth
Exercise

Adding depth

iOS isn’t fully open source
Exercise

iOS isn’t fully open source

Place content comfortably to reach and view
Exercise

Place content comfortably to reach and view

Improve your UX & Product skills with interactive courses that actually work

FAQs

What's iOS?

iOS is a proprietary mobile operating system that runs on Apple devices such as iPhones and iPads. Designed to provide a secure and intuitive user experience, iOS incorporates advanced features like Face ID and Touch ID for biometric authentication, encryption for data protection, and regular security updates and patches. Its sleek and modern design focuses on simplicity and ease of use, making it accessible to users of all ages. With iOS, Apple continues to push the boundaries of what a mobile operating system can achieve, ensuring that its devices remain at the forefront of technology.

Originally known as iPhone OS, it ranks as the second-most popular one after Android. Since its launch in 2007, the iPhone’s popularity has grown rapidly. According to StatCounter, iOS accounts for 27.68% of the world’s mobile OS market space, vs. Android’s 71.6% as of 2022. Notably, iOS devices have a larger market share in developed countries.

Developed on a Unix foundation, this system is designed to be easy to use and highly secure. It is known for its user-friendly interface, sleek design, and a wide range of features and apps.

Each year, Apple releases upgraded editions of iOS that include enhanced features, improved performance, and security updates. Apple announced these updates during their annual WWDC events, introducing new features and functionalities that attract attention from users and developers. iOS also provides a consistent and seamless user experience across different Apple devices, such as the iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

To maintain high standards of user privacy and security, Apple’s App Store has a strict app review process. It aims to ensure all apps meet quality requirements and don’t contain malicious code.

Get familiar with Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines and investigate the list of iOS platform-unique design patterns in our iOS App Design lesson within the Mobile Design course.


What are the differences between iOS and Android operating systems?
  • User experience: iOS offers an intuitive and consistent user interface, while Android offers greater customization options.
  • App stores: The Newest applications usually appear on iOS App Store.
  • Hardware: iOS is only available on Apple devices, while Android can be installed on a wider range of devices from different manufacturers, including premium and budget options.
  • Security: iOS is known for its strong security, with regular software updates and a closed system that is less susceptible to malware. Android's operating system is more open and therefore more susceptible to security risks. However, in recent years, Android has improved its security.
  • Price: iOS devices tend to be more expensive than Android devices with a similar functionality. iOS devices, however, have a lower cost of ownership due to their longer lifespan and lower maintenance requirements.

What are iOS design principles?

The iOS design principles form the foundation for Apple's Human Interface Guidelines. The guide provides detailed recommendations for designing iOS apps. iOS design principles include:

  • Clarity: the interface should be easy to understand and use.
  • Consistency: the interface should use consistent design patterns and interactions to create a recognizable and familiar experience with minimum cognitive load.
  • Adaptivity: The interface should adapt to users’ devices and their context, providing an optimal experience for different scenarios.
  • Feedback: A system should always keep users informed about what’s happening after they have completed or are about to complete a certain action.
  • Metaphors: Interface metaphors help users learn an interface more quickly by using their knowledge of the real world. For example, users understand the purpose of the folder icon on their desktop because they are familiar with the use of folders in real life.
  • User control: iOS design prevents users from making mistakes and helps them recover quickly if an error occurs. However, the system should never force users to do actions against their will.

Why iOS is great for Security and Privacy?

iOS is renowned for its robust security features, which are meticulously designed to protect user data and prevent unauthorized access to the device. Some of the key security features of iOS include:

  • Face ID and Touch ID: These biometric authentication methods provide a secure and convenient way to unlock your device and access apps.
  • Encryption: iOS uses advanced encryption techniques to protect data stored on the device and during transmission.
  • Regular Security Updates: Apple frequently releases security updates and patches to address vulnerabilities and enhance protection.
  • Secure Boot Process: This ensures that only trusted software can run on your device, preventing malicious code from executing.
  • App Review and Approval Process: Every app on the App Store undergoes a rigorous review process to ensure it meets Apple’s high standards for security and privacy.
  • Private Browsing and Incognito Mode: These features allow users to browse the internet without leaving a trace, protecting their privacy.
  • Two-Factor Authentication: This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification in addition to your password.

By incorporating these features, iOS provides a secure environment for users, safeguarding their personal information and ensuring peace of mind.

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