The Windows Design Language

Abstract

Beyond the basic touch principles discussed in the previous chapter, the design teams at Microsoft developed the Windows Design Language, which is used to guide the user interface development for Windows Phone 7, for Windows Phone 7.5, and now for Windows 8. The Windows Design Language was inspired by the simple, easily understood language seen in street signs in metropolitan areas and in mass transit and strives to bring this simplicity and intuitive flavor to computing. In this chapter, I will cover the elements of the Windows Design Language, show examples, and explain how Windows 8 incorporates them. Before jumping into the Windows Design Language itself, I will cover the Swiss design style, whose influence can be clearly seen in elements of Windows.

It seems that perfection is reached not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing to remove. —Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (translated from original French)