<!DOCTYPE html> <html class="govuk-template" lang="en">  <head><script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/bundle-playback.js?v=HxkREWBo" charset="utf-8"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/wombat.js?v=txqj7nKC" charset="utf-8"></script> <script>window.RufflePlayer=window.RufflePlayer||{};window.RufflePlayer.config={"autoplay":"on","unmuteOverlay":"hidden"};</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/ruffle/ruffle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> __wm.init("https://web.archive.org/web"); __wm.wombat("https://www.gov.uk/guidance/government-design-principles","20230722180032","https://web.archive.org/","web","/_static/", "1690048832"); </script> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/banner-styles.css?v=S1zqJCYt" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/iconochive.css?v=3PDvdIFv" />  <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"> <meta property="og:description" content="The UK government's design principles and examples of how they've been used."> <meta property="og:title" content="Government Design Principles"> <meta property="og:url" content="https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/guidance/government-design-principles"> <meta property="og:type" content="article"> <meta property="og:site_name" content="GOV.UK"> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary"> <meta name="description" content="The UK government's design principles and examples of how they've been used."> <meta name="govuk:taxon-slugs" content="government-efficiency-transparency-and-accountability"> <meta name="govuk:taxon-slug" content="government-efficiency-transparency-and-accountability"> <meta name="govuk:taxon-ids" content="f3f4b5d3-49c4-487b-bd5b-be75f11ec8c5"> <meta name="govuk:taxon-id" content="f3f4b5d3-49c4-487b-bd5b-be75f11ec8c5"> <meta name="govuk:themes" content="government/all"> <meta name="govuk:analytics:organisations" content="<OT1329>"> <meta name="govuk:primary-publishing-organisation" content="Central Digital and Data Office"> <meta name="govuk:public-updated-at" content="2019-09-10T12:25:55.000Z"> <meta name="govuk:updated-at" content="2023-07-21T14:25:55.965Z"> <meta name="govuk:first-published-at" content="2012-04-02T23:01:00.000Z"> <meta name="govuk:content-has-history" content="true"> <meta name="govuk:content-id" content="84f02810-f04a-4454-b09e-b585af0489a3"> <meta name="govuk:schema-name" content="detailed_guide"> <meta name="govuk:rendering-app" content="government-frontend"> <meta name="govuk:publishing-app" content="whitehall"> <meta name="govuk:format" content="detailed_guide"> <meta charset="utf-8"> <title lang="en"> Government Design Principles - GOV.UK </title> <script src="/web/20230722180032js_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/govuk_publishing_components/vendor/lux/lux-measurer-505eef3e243b1d08ea7c4b945ebe1ae146d896db61366e415b30cc1bcd84cbdc.js" async="async"></script> <script src="/web/20230722180032js_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/govuk_publishing_components/rum-loader-c53469dcb841d7b228c914a2e8bdcf3b831a578adf7d4f21cf9da5b85df7381e.js" async="async" data-lux-reporter-script="/assets/static/govuk_publishing_components/vendor/lux/lux-reporter-93cb22329ce3a4f8c149e497043c275d4874e33c0e1d39aa43767ef93aadb7d4.js"></script> <meta name="govuk:components_gem_version" content="35.11.0"> <script src="/web/20230722180032js_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/govuk_publishing_components/load-analytics-b09c1e2c20c67bd33c0aa0b9085d0227cf4fc4a587404b1ae62abe524ae13954.js"></script> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/web/20230722180032cs_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/application-2005281f24755596dc365e9c6558c885254b91cddd7898f061742c589d5ee425.css" media="all">  <link rel="shortcut icon" href="/web/20230722180032im_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/favicon-9ed7849c462c53aa2cdf1690eb257e801ecbf5696d1d0928868c5b032b4adb36.ico" type="image/x-icon"> <link rel="mask-icon" href="/web/20230722180032im_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/govuk-mask-icon-a409a4db4a5e72c99ae3916653710064c43eb4be35821f79c07c5156e7dc5808.svg" color="#0b0c0c"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="180x180" href="/web/20230722180032im_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/govuk-apple-touch-icon-180x180-026deaa34fa328ae5f1f519a37dbd15e6555c5086e1ba83986cd0827a7209902.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="167x167" href="/web/20230722180032im_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/govuk-apple-touch-icon-167x167-a44a5b317f51a61950697fbe6c61ffe3b5acdd89de60ef70429daa32881d5279.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="152x152" href="/web/20230722180032im_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/govuk-apple-touch-icon-152x152-828a839e5c83de19f98014eef54cec77aa11063a23ce321970d6f9310eeabb6c.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="/web/20230722180032im_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/govuk-apple-touch-icon-5f801db05920bd1eb2b27a7a90328599bb16b6344c3213795af0f20d3ca179b0.png"> <meta name="theme-color" content="#0b0c0c"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge"> <meta property="og:image" content="/web/20230722180032im_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/govuk-opengraph-image-dade2dad5775023b0568381c4c074b86318194edb36d3d68df721eea7deeac4b.png"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/web/20230722180032cs_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/application-a4f6d631ba21c73ea52b03a432bcf7e16dfbd376598c6e1502f8b8d01c0fe14f.css" media="all"> <link rel="canonical" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/guidance/government-design-principles"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/web/20230722180032cs_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/components/_lead-paragraph-d0c303cb65d94ea441c60e551d6eb863bff824daf603b796c69a29283351d8c9.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/web/20230722180032cs_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/components/_metadata-353cb9a5f4ebea8bc16dd77959790cb8efa6ccb4a3ad372fc51c0295fbd7819a.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/web/20230722180032cs_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/components/_single-page-notification-button-832efee92e60fd554c6116ab87233c8fa9557f597a5d3a37a21e6b2a35fc7d8a.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/web/20230722180032cs_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/components/_contents-list-with-body-7bf0c2d7c1745f94ba8f5defc388e51609f985c3e47145227299ea5291e1fd6a.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/web/20230722180032cs_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/components/_print-link-1d26a2ff060d746129d8ea59676d6b1207d86674f64aa958cf6fa621201048e6.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/web/20230722180032cs_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/components/_govspeak-1c3715bf0b9bb6d4c445de2002beec1fcb9f23a150bcc15f1f836f61beefae9e.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/web/20230722180032cs_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/views/_published-dates-button-group-f98b87ab70a3470964ac8340bef2666126c167e58357b6cdf501378cb2fc0521.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/web/20230722180032cs_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/components/_published-dates-c4bccd4623b137a092b796bcab3598a75dd1cfb4545dd78c192934c13a75a7d3.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/web/20230722180032cs_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/components/_contents-list-21a32cb0f59307b4c3218bcf1c60836b597b9396f355a94dff073ba8e56b4de0.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/web/20230722180032cs_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/components/_back-to-top-8d10a933dd34f1162faf988b7cf81c36c44ba29948683b0cdb2b654df304c32c.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/web/20230722180032cs_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/components/_contextual-sidebar-d991370ed34851c8b78e264015ee11b51614278596a88c56874531a5e8a6e527.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/web/20230722180032cs_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/components/_related-navigation-96da3d820db6cf0fc74d2bd524519df7497d813430714fd2b2e8b2282f252e2d.css"> <meta name="govuk:rendering-application" content="government-frontend"> </head> <body class="gem-c-layout-for-public govuk-template__body"> <script nonce="2Zu9iTOJbLrVtV9tZ6wK7A=="> //<![CDATA[ document.body.className = ((document.body.className) ? document.body.className + ' js-enabled' : 'js-enabled'); //]]> </script> <a class="gem-c-skip-link govuk-skip-link govuk-!-display-none-print" data-module="govuk-skip-link" href="#content">Skip to main content</a> <div id="global-cookie-message" class="gem-c-cookie-banner govuk-clearfix govuk-cookie-banner js-banner-wrapper" data-module="cookie-banner" data-nosnippet role="region" aria-label="Cookies on GOV.UK"> <div class="govuk-cookie-banner__message govuk-width-container"> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds"> <h2 class="govuk-cookie-banner__heading govuk-heading-m">Cookies on GOV.UK</h2> <div tabindex="-1" class="govuk-cookie-banner__content gem-c-cookie-banner__confirmation"> <span class="gem-c-cookie-banner__content"><p class="govuk-body">We use some essential cookies to make this website work.</p> <p class="govuk-body">We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.</p> <p class="govuk-body">We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.</p></span> <p class="gem-c-cookie-banner__confirmation-message--accepted govuk-body" hidden>You have accepted additional cookies. <span class="gem-c-cookie-banner__confirmation-message">You can <a class="govuk-link" data-module="gem-track-click" data-track-category="cookieBanner" data-track-action="Cookie banner settings clicked from confirmation" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/help/cookies">change your cookie settings</a> at any time.</span></p> <p class="gem-c-cookie-banner__confirmation-message--rejected govuk-body" hidden>You have rejected additional cookies. <span class="gem-c-cookie-banner__confirmation-message">You can <a class="govuk-link" data-module="gem-track-click" data-track-category="cookieBanner" data-track-action="Cookie banner settings clicked from confirmation" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/help/cookies">change your cookie settings</a> at any time.</span></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="js-confirmation-buttons govuk-button-group"> <button class="gem-c-button govuk-button" type="submit" data-module="gem-track-click" data-accept-cookies="true" data-track-category="cookieBanner" data-track-action="Cookie banner accepted" data-cookie-types="all">Accept additional cookies</button> <button class="gem-c-button govuk-button" type="submit" data-module="gem-track-click" data-reject-cookies="true" data-track-category="cookieBanner" data-track-action="Cookie banner rejected">Reject additional cookies</button> <a class="govuk-link" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/help/cookies">View cookies</a> </div> <div hidden class="js-hide-button govuk-button-group"> <button class="gem-c-cookie-banner__hide-button govuk-button" data-hide-cookie-banner="true" data-module="gem-track-click" data-track-category="cookieBanner" data-track-action="Hide cookie banner">Hide this message</button> </div> </div> </div> <header role="banner" class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header" data-module="gem-track-click ga4-event-tracker ga4-link-tracker" data-track-links-only data-ga4-expandable> <div class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__container govuk-clearfix"> <div class="govuk-width-container"> <div class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__header-logo"> <a class="govuk-header__link govuk-header__link--homepage" data-track-action="logoLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="https://www.gov.uk" data-track-dimension="GOV.UK" data-track-dimension-index="29" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/" id="logo" title="Go to the GOV.UK homepage" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","external":"false","text":"GOV.UK","section":"Logo","index":{"index_link":1,"index_section":0,"index_section_count":2},"index_total":1}"> <span class="govuk-header__logotype">  <svg aria-hidden="true" class="govuk-header__logotype-crown gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__logotype-crown" focusable="false" height="30" viewbox="0 0 132 97" width="36" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="M25 30.2c3.5 1.5 7.7-.2 9.1-3.7 1.5-3.6-.2-7.8-3.9-9.2-3.6-1.4-7.6.3-9.1 3.9-1.4 3.5.3 7.5 3.9 9zM9 39.5c3.6 1.5 7.8-.2 9.2-3.7 1.5-3.6-.2-7.8-3.9-9.1-3.6-1.5-7.6.2-9.1 3.8-1.4 3.5.3 7.5 3.8 9zM4.4 57.2c3.5 1.5 7.7-.2 9.1-3.8 1.5-3.6-.2-7.7-3.9-9.1-3.5-1.5-7.6.3-9.1 3.8-1.4 3.5.3 7.6 3.9 9.1zm38.3-21.4c3.5 1.5 7.7-.2 9.1-3.8 1.5-3.6-.2-7.7-3.9-9.1-3.6-1.5-7.6.3-9.1 3.8-1.3 3.6.4 7.7 3.9 9.1zm64.4-5.6c-3.6 1.5-7.8-.2-9.1-3.7-1.5-3.6.2-7.8 3.8-9.2 3.6-1.4 7.7.3 9.2 3.9 1.3 3.5-.4 7.5-3.9 9zm15.9 9.3c-3.6 1.5-7.7-.2-9.1-3.7-1.5-3.6.2-7.8 3.7-9.1 3.6-1.5 7.7.2 9.2 3.8 1.5 3.5-.3 7.5-3.8 9zm4.7 17.7c-3.6 1.5-7.8-.2-9.2-3.8-1.5-3.6.2-7.7 3.9-9.1 3.6-1.5 7.7.3 9.2 3.8 1.3 3.5-.4 7.6-3.9 9.1zM89.3 35.8c-3.6 1.5-7.8-.2-9.2-3.8-1.4-3.6.2-7.7 3.9-9.1 3.6-1.5 7.7.3 9.2 3.8 1.4 3.6-.3 7.7-3.9 9.1zM69.7 17.7l8.9 4.7V9.3l-8.9 2.8c-.2-.3-.5-.6-.9-.9L72.4 0H59.6l3.5 11.2c-.3.3-.6.5-.9.9l-8.8-2.8v13.1l8.8-4.7c.3.3.6.7.9.9l-5 15.4v.1c-.2.8-.4 1.6-.4 2.4 0 4.1 3.1 7.5 7 8.1h.2c.3 0 .7.1 1 .1.4 0 .7 0 1-.1h.2c4-.6 7.1-4.1 7.1-8.1 0-.8-.1-1.7-.4-2.4V34l-5.1-15.4c.4-.2.7-.6 1-.9zM66 92.8c16.9 0 32.8 1.1 47.1 3.2 4-16.9 8.9-26.7 14-33.5l-9.6-3.4c1 4.9 1.1 7.2 0 10.2-1.5-1.4-3-4.3-4.2-8.7L108.6 76c2.8-2 5-3.2 7.5-3.3-4.4 9.4-10 11.9-13.6 11.2-4.3-.8-6.3-4.6-5.6-7.9 1-4.7 5.7-5.9 8-.5 4.3-8.7-3-11.4-7.6-8.8 7.1-7.2 7.9-13.5 2.1-21.1-8 6.1-8.1 12.3-4.5 20.8-4.7-5.4-12.1-2.5-9.5 6.2 3.4-5.2 7.9-2 7.2 3.1-.6 4.3-6.4 7.8-13.5 7.2-10.3-.9-10.9-8-11.2-13.8 2.5-.5 7.1 1.8 11 7.3L80.2 60c-4.1 4.4-8 5.3-12.3 5.4 1.4-4.4 8-11.6 8-11.6H55.5s6.4 7.2 7.9 11.6c-4.2-.1-8-1-12.3-5.4l1.4 16.4c3.9-5.5 8.5-7.7 10.9-7.3-.3 5.8-.9 12.8-11.1 13.8-7.2.6-12.9-2.9-13.5-7.2-.7-5 3.8-8.3 7.1-3.1 2.7-8.7-4.6-11.6-9.4-6.2 3.7-8.5 3.6-14.7-4.6-20.8-5.8 7.6-5 13.9 2.2 21.1-4.7-2.6-11.9.1-7.7 8.8 2.3-5.5 7.1-4.2 8.1.5.7 3.3-1.3 7.1-5.7 7.9-3.5.7-9-1.8-13.5-11.2 2.5.1 4.7 1.3 7.5 3.3l-4.7-15.4c-1.2 4.4-2.7 7.2-4.3 8.7-1.1-3-.9-5.3 0-10.2l-9.5 3.4c5 6.9 9.9 16.7 14 33.5 14.8-2.1 30.8-3.2 47.7-3.2z" fill="currentColor" fill-rule="evenodd"> </path> </svg>   <span class="govuk-header__logotype-text"> GOV.UK </span> </span> </a> </div> </div> <nav aria-labelledby="super-navigation-menu-heading" class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__content" data-module="super-navigation-mega-menu"> <h2 id="super-navigation-menu-heading" class="govuk-visually-hidden"> Navigation menu </h2> <div class="govuk-width-container gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__button-width-container"> <div class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__button-container"> <div class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-item"> <a class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-item-link" data-track-action="menuLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse" data-track-dimension="Menu" data-track-dimension-index="29" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/browse"> <span class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-item-link-inner"> Menu </span> </a> <button aria-controls="super-navigation-menu-580c359f" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Show navigation menu" class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-top-toggle-button" data-text-for-hide="Hide navigation menu" data-text-for-show="Show navigation menu" data-toggle-desktop-group="top" data-toggle-mobile-group="top" data-tracking-key="menu" data-ga4-event="{"event_name":"select_content","type":"header menu bar","text":"Menu","index":{"index_section":1,"index_section_count":2},"section":"Menu"}" hidden="hidden" id="super-navigation-menu-580c359f-toggle" type="button"> <span class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-top-toggle-button-inner">Menu</span> </button> </div> <div class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__search-item"> <button aria-controls="super-search-menu" aria-expanded="true" aria-label="Hide search menu" class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__search-toggle-button" data-text-for-hide="Hide search menu" data-text-for-show="Show search menu" data-toggle-mobile-group="top" data-toggle-desktop-group="top" data-tracking-key="search" hidden id="super-search-menu-toggle" type="button" data-ga4-event="{"event_name":"select_content","type":"header menu bar","text":"Search","index":{"index_section":2,"index_section_count":2},"section":"Search"}"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden"> Search GOV.UK </span> <svg class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__search-toggle-button-link-icon" width="27" height="27" viewbox="0 0 27 27" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"> <circle cx="12.0161" cy="11.0161" r="8.51613" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="3"></circle> <line x1="17.8668" y1="17.3587" x2="26.4475" y2="25.9393" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="3"></line> </svg> <span aria-hidden="true" class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-top-toggle-close-icon" focusable="false"> × </span> </button> <a class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__search-item-link" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/search"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden"> Search GOV.UK </span> <svg class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__search-item-link-icon" width="27" height="27" viewbox="0 0 27 27" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"> <circle cx="12.0161" cy="11.0161" r="8.51613" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="3"></circle> <line x1="17.8668" y1="17.3587" x2="26.4475" y2="25.9393" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="3"></line> </svg> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div id="super-navigation-menu-580c359f" hidden class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-dropdown-menu"> <div class="govuk-width-container"> <div class="govuk-grid-row gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-items"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds-from-desktop gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__column--topics"> <h3 class="govuk-heading-m gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__column-header"> Topics </h3> <ul class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-items gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-items--topics"> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/benefits" data-track-dimension="Benefits" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":{"index_section":1,"index_link":1,"index_section_count":4},"index_total":16,"section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits">Benefits</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/births-deaths-marriages" data-track-dimension="Births, death, marriages and care" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":{"index_section":1,"index_link":2,"index_section_count":4},"index_total":16,"section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/browse/births-deaths-marriages">Births, death, marriages and care</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/business" data-track-dimension="Business and self-employed" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":{"index_section":1,"index_link":3,"index_section_count":4},"index_total":16,"section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/browse/business">Business and self-employed</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/childcare-parenting" data-track-dimension="Childcare and parenting" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":{"index_section":1,"index_link":4,"index_section_count":4},"index_total":16,"section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/browse/childcare-parenting">Childcare and parenting</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/citizenship" data-track-dimension="Citizenship and living in the UK" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":{"index_section":1,"index_link":5,"index_section_count":4},"index_total":16,"section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/browse/citizenship">Citizenship and living in the UK</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/justice" data-track-dimension="Crime, justice and the law" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":{"index_section":1,"index_link":6,"index_section_count":4},"index_total":16,"section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/browse/justice">Crime, justice and the law</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/disabilities" data-track-dimension="Disabled people" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":{"index_section":1,"index_link":7,"index_section_count":4},"index_total":16,"section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/browse/disabilities">Disabled people</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/driving" data-track-dimension="Driving and transport" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":{"index_section":1,"index_link":8,"index_section_count":4},"index_total":16,"section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/browse/driving">Driving and transport</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/education" data-track-dimension="Education and learning" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":{"index_section":1,"index_link":9,"index_section_count":4},"index_total":16,"section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/browse/education">Education and learning</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/employing-people" data-track-dimension="Employing people" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":{"index_section":1,"index_link":10,"index_section_count":4},"index_total":16,"section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/browse/employing-people">Employing people</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/environment-countryside" data-track-dimension="Environment and countryside" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":{"index_section":1,"index_link":11,"index_section_count":4},"index_total":16,"section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/browse/environment-countryside">Environment and countryside</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/housing-local-services" data-track-dimension="Housing and local services" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":{"index_section":1,"index_link":12,"index_section_count":4},"index_total":16,"section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/browse/housing-local-services">Housing and local services</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/tax" data-track-dimension="Money and tax" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":{"index_section":1,"index_link":13,"index_section_count":4},"index_total":16,"section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/browse/tax">Money and tax</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/abroad" data-track-dimension="Passports, travel and living abroad" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":{"index_section":1,"index_link":14,"index_section_count":4},"index_total":16,"section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/browse/abroad">Passports, travel and living abroad</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/visas-immigration" data-track-dimension="Visas and immigration" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":{"index_section":1,"index_link":15,"index_section_count":4},"index_total":16,"section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration">Visas and immigration</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/working" data-track-dimension="Working, jobs and pensions" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":{"index_section":1,"index_link":16,"index_section_count":4},"index_total":16,"section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/browse/working">Working, jobs and pensions</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-column-one-third-from-desktop gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__column--government-activity"> <h3 class="govuk-heading-m gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__column-header"> Government activity </h3> <ul class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-items gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-items--government-activity"> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link--with-description" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/government/organisations" data-track-dimension="Departments" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":{"index_section":2,"index_link":1,"index_section_count":4},"index_total":6,"section":"Government activity"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations">Departments</a> <p class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-description">Departments, agencies and public bodies</p> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link--with-description" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/search/news-and-communications" data-track-dimension="News" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":{"index_section":2,"index_link":2,"index_section_count":4},"index_total":6,"section":"Government activity"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/search/news-and-communications">News</a> <p class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-description">News stories, speeches, letters and notices</p> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link--with-description" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/search/guidance-and-regulation" data-track-dimension="Guidance and regulation" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":{"index_section":2,"index_link":3,"index_section_count":4},"index_total":6,"section":"Government activity"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/search/guidance-and-regulation">Guidance and regulation</a> <p class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-description">Detailed guidance, regulations and rules</p> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link--with-description" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/search/research-and-statistics" data-track-dimension="Research and statistics" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":{"index_section":2,"index_link":4,"index_section_count":4},"index_total":6,"section":"Government activity"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/search/research-and-statistics">Research and statistics</a> <p class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-description">Reports, analysis and official statistics</p> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link--with-description" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/search/policy-papers-and-consultations" data-track-dimension="Policy papers and consultations" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":{"index_section":2,"index_link":5,"index_section_count":4},"index_total":6,"section":"Government activity"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/search/policy-papers-and-consultations">Policy papers and consultations</a> <p class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-description">Consultations and strategy</p> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link--with-description" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/search/transparency-and-freedom-of-information-releases" data-track-dimension="Transparency" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":{"index_section":2,"index_link":6,"index_section_count":4},"index_total":6,"section":"Government activity"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/search/transparency-and-freedom-of-information-releases">Transparency</a> <p class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-description">Data, Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports</p> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="super-search-menu" hidden class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-dropdown-menu"> <div class="govuk-width-container gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__search-container gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__search-items"> <h3 class="govuk-visually-hidden"> Search </h3> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-full"> <form class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__search-form" id="search" data-module="ga4-form-tracker" data-ga4-form="{ "event_name": "search", "type": "header menu bar", "section": "Search GOV.UK", "action": "search", "url": "/search/all" }" data-ga4-form-include-text action="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/search" method="get" role="search" aria-label="Site-wide"> <div class="gem-c-search govuk-!-display-none-print gem-c-search--large gem-c-search--on-white gem-c-search--separate-label" data-module="gem-toggle-input-class-on-focus"> <label for="search-main-80d71cda" class="govuk-label govuk-label--m">Search GOV.UK</label> <div class="gem-c-search__item-wrapper"> <input enterkeyhint="search" class="gem-c-search__item gem-c-search__input js-class-toggle" id="search-main-80d71cda" name="q" title="Search" type="search" value=""> <div class="gem-c-search__item gem-c-search__submit-wrapper"> <button class="gem-c-search__submit" type="submit" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-action="searchSubmitted" data-track-label="/search/all" data-track-dimension="Search on GOV.UK" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-module="gem-track-click" enterkeyhint="search"> Search <svg class="gem-c-search__icon" width="27" height="27" viewbox="0 0 27 27" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"> <circle cx="12.0161" cy="11.0161" r="8.51613" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="3"></circle> <line x1="17.8668" y1="17.3587" x2="26.4475" y2="25.9393" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="3"></line> </svg> </button> </div> </div> </div> </form> </div> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-full"> <h3 class="govuk-heading-m">Popular on GOV.UK</h3> <ul class="govuk-list"> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__popular-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__popular-link" data-track-action="popularLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/cost-of-living" data-track-dimension="Get support with the cost of living" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":{"index_section":4,"index_link":1,"index_section_count":4},"index_total":5,"section":"Popular on GOV.UK"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/cost-of-living">Get support with the cost of living</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__popular-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__popular-link" data-track-action="popularLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/guidance/getting-the-energy-bills-support-scheme-discount" data-track-dimension="Find out about the Energy Bills Support Scheme" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":{"index_section":4,"index_link":2,"index_section_count":4},"index_total":5,"section":"Popular on GOV.UK"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/guidance/getting-the-energy-bills-support-scheme-discount">Find out about the Energy Bills Support Scheme</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__popular-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__popular-link" data-track-action="popularLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/find-a-job" data-track-dimension="Find a job" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":{"index_section":4,"index_link":3,"index_section_count":4},"index_total":5,"section":"Popular on GOV.UK"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/find-a-job">Find a job</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__popular-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__popular-link" data-track-action="popularLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/sign-in-universal-credit" data-track-dimension="Universal Credit account: sign in" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":{"index_section":4,"index_link":4,"index_section_count":4},"index_total":5,"section":"Popular on GOV.UK"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/sign-in-universal-credit">Universal Credit account: sign in</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__popular-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__popular-link" data-track-action="popularLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/check-national-insurance-record" data-track-dimension="Check your National Insurance record" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":{"index_section":4,"index_link":5,"index_section_count":4},"index_total":5,"section":"Popular on GOV.UK"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/check-national-insurance-record">Check your National Insurance record</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </nav> </div> </header> <div class=""> <div class="gem-c-layout-for-public__blue-bar govuk-width-container"></div> </div> <div id="wrapper" class="direction-ltr govuk-width-container"> <div class="gem-c-contextual-breadcrumbs"> <div data-module="gem-track-click ga4-link-tracker" class="gem-c-breadcrumbs govuk-breadcrumbs govuk-breadcrumbs--collapse-on-mobile"> <ol class="govuk-breadcrumbs__list"> <li class="govuk-breadcrumbs__list-item"> <a data-track-category="homeLinkClicked" data-track-action="homeBreadcrumb" data-track-label="" data-track-options="{}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"breadcrumb","index":{"index_link":"1"},"index_total":"3"}" class="govuk-breadcrumbs__link" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/">Home</a> </li> <li class="govuk-breadcrumbs__list-item"> <a data-track-category="breadcrumbClicked" data-track-action="2" data-track-label="/government/all" data-track-options="{"dimension28":"3","dimension29":"Government"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"breadcrumb","index":{"index_link":"2"},"index_total":"3"}" class="govuk-breadcrumbs__link" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/government/all">Government</a> </li> <li class="govuk-breadcrumbs__list-item"> <a data-track-category="breadcrumbClicked" data-track-action="3" data-track-label="/government/government-efficiency-transparency-and-accountability" data-track-options="{"dimension28":"3","dimension29":"Government efficiency, transparency and accountability"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"breadcrumb","index":{"index_link":"3"},"index_total":"3"}" class="govuk-breadcrumbs__link" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/government/government-efficiency-transparency-and-accountability">Government efficiency, transparency and accountability</a> </li> </ol> </div> </div> <main role="main" id="content" class="detailed-guide" lang="en"> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds"> <div class="gem-c-title govuk-!-margin-top-8 govuk-!-margin-bottom-8"> <span class="govuk-caption-xl gem-c-title__context"> Guidance </span> <h1 class="gem-c-title__text govuk-heading-l"> Government Design Principles </h1> </div> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds"> <p class="gem-c-lead-paragraph">The UK government's design principles and examples of how they've been used.</p> </div> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="metadata-logo-wrapper"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds metadata-column"> <div class="gem-c-metadata" data-module="gem-toggle metadata"> <dl class="gem-c-metadata__list" data-module="gem-track-click"> <dt class="gem-c-metadata__term">From:</dt> <dd class="gem-c-metadata__definition"> <a class="govuk-link" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/central-digital-and-data-office">Central Digital and Data Office</a> </dd> <dt class="gem-c-metadata__term">Published</dt> <dd class="gem-c-metadata__definition">3 April 2012</dd> <dt class="gem-c-metadata__term">Last updated</dt> <dd class="gem-c-metadata__definition"> 10 September 2019 — <a href="#full-publication-update-history" class="gem-c-metadata__definition-link govuk-!-display-none-print js-see-all-updates-link" data-track-category="content-history" data-track-action="see-all-updates-link-clicked" data-track-label="history"> See all updates </a> </dd> </dl> </div> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-column-one-third"> </div> </div> </div> <div data-module="gem-track-click ga4-link-tracker" class="govuk-!-display-none-print govuk-!-margin-bottom-6"> <form class="gem-c-single-page-notification-button" action="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/email/subscriptions/single-page/new" method="POST" data-track-label="/guidance/government-design-principles" data-track-action="Subscribe-button-top" data-track-category="Single-page-notification-button" data-button-location="top" data-button-text-subscribe="Get emails about this page" data-button-text-unsubscribe="Stop getting emails about this page"> <input type="hidden" name="base_path" value="/guidance/government-design-principles"> <button class="govuk-body-s gem-c-single-page-notification-button__submit" type="submit" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"subscribe","index":{"index_link":1},"index_total":2,"section":"Top","url":"/email/subscriptions/single-page/new"}"> <svg class="gem-c-single-page-notification-button__icon" aria-hidden="true" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="18" width="18" viewbox="0 0 459.334 459.334"><path fill="currentColor" d="M177.216 404.514c-.001.12-.009.239-.009.359 0 30.078 24.383 54.461 54.461 54.461s54.461-24.383 54.461-54.461c0-.12-.008-.239-.009-.359H175.216zM403.549 336.438l-49.015-72.002v-89.83c0-60.581-43.144-111.079-100.381-122.459V24.485C254.152 10.963 243.19 0 229.667 0s-24.485 10.963-24.485 24.485v27.663c-57.237 11.381-100.381 61.879-100.381 122.459v89.83l-49.015 72.002a24.76 24.76 0 0 0 20.468 38.693H383.08a24.761 24.761 0 0 0 20.469-38.694z"></path></svg><span class="gem-c-single-page-notication-button__text">Get emails about this page</span> </button> </form> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds"> <div id="contents" class="app-c-contents-list-with-body" data-module="sticky-element-container"> <div class="responsive-bottom-margin"> <nav data-module="gem-track-click" aria-label="Contents" class="gem-c-contents-list" role="navigation"> <h2 class="gem-c-contents-list__title"> Contents </h2> <ol class="gem-c-contents-list__list"> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link govuk-link--no-underline" data-track-category="contentsClicked" data-track-action="content_item 1" data-track-label="#start-with-user-needs" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"1. Start with user needs"}" href="#start-with-user-needs">1. Start with user needs</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link govuk-link--no-underline" data-track-category="contentsClicked" data-track-action="content_item 2" data-track-label="#do-less" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"2. Do less"}" href="#do-less">2. Do less</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link govuk-link--no-underline" data-track-category="contentsClicked" data-track-action="content_item 3" data-track-label="#design-with-data" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"3. Design with data"}" href="#design-with-data">3. Design with data</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link govuk-link--no-underline" data-track-category="contentsClicked" data-track-action="content_item 4" data-track-label="#do-the-hard-work-to-make-it-simple" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"4. Do the hard work to make it simple"}" href="#do-the-hard-work-to-make-it-simple">4. Do the hard work to make it simple</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link govuk-link--no-underline" data-track-category="contentsClicked" data-track-action="content_item 5" data-track-label="#iterate-then-iterate-again" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"5. Iterate. Then iterate again"}" href="#iterate-then-iterate-again">5. Iterate. Then iterate again</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link govuk-link--no-underline" data-track-category="contentsClicked" data-track-action="content_item 6" data-track-label="#this-is-for-everyone" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"6. This is for everyone"}" href="#this-is-for-everyone">6. This is for everyone</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link govuk-link--no-underline" data-track-category="contentsClicked" data-track-action="content_item 7" data-track-label="#understand-context" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"7. Understand context"}" href="#understand-context">7. Understand context</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link govuk-link--no-underline" data-track-category="contentsClicked" data-track-action="content_item 8" data-track-label="#build-digital-services-not-websites" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"8. Build digital services, not websites"}" href="#build-digital-services-not-websites">8. Build digital services, not websites</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link govuk-link--no-underline" data-track-category="contentsClicked" data-track-action="content_item 9" data-track-label="#be-consistent-not-uniform" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"9. Be consistent, not uniform"}" href="#be-consistent-not-uniform">9. Be consistent, not uniform</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link govuk-link--no-underline" data-track-category="contentsClicked" data-track-action="content_item 10" data-track-label="#make-things-open-it-makes-things-better" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"10. Make things open: it makes things better"}" href="#make-things-open-it-makes-things-better">10. Make things open: it makes things better</a> </li> </ol> </nav> </div> <div class="gem-c-print-link govuk-!-display-none-print govuk-!-margin-top-0 govuk-!-margin-bottom-6"> <button class="govuk-link govuk-body-s gem-c-print-link__button" data-module="ga4-event-tracker print-link" data-ga4-event="{"event_name":"print_page","type":"print page","index":{"index_link":1},"index_total":2,"section":"Content"}">Print this page</button> </div> <div class="gem-c-govspeak govuk-govspeak " data-module="govspeak"> <div class="govspeak"> <h2 id="start-with-user-needs">1. Start with user needs</h2> <p>Service design starts with identifying user needs. If you don’t know what the user needs are, you won’t build the right thing. Do research, analyse data, talk to users. Don’t make assumptions. Have empathy for users, and remember that what they ask for isn’t always what they need.</p> <ul> <li> <a rel="external" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://userresearch.blog.gov.uk/2017/04/18/why-we-care-more-about-effectiveness-than-efficiency-or-satisfaction/" class="govuk-link">Why we care more about effectiveness than efficiency or satisfaction</a> by John Waterworth</li> <li> <a rel="external" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://userresearch.blog.gov.uk/2017/09/01/10-tips-for-working-with-your-user-researcher/" class="govuk-link">10 tips for working with your user researcher</a> by Kieron Kirkland</li> </ul> <h2 id="do-less">2. Do less</h2> <p>Government should only do what only government can do. If we’ve found a way of doing something that works, we should make it reusable and shareable instead of reinventing the wheel every time. This means building platforms and registers others can build upon, providing resources (like APIs) that others can use, and linking to the work of others. We should concentrate on the irreducible core.</p> <ul> <li> <a rel="external" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2019/06/04/guest-post-adapting-the-gov-uk-design-system-for-the-nhs/" class="govuk-link">Adapting the GOV.UK Design System for the NHS</a> by Tim Paul and Dean Vipond</li> <li> <a rel="external" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2018/04/26/gov-uk-a-journey-in-scaling-agile/" class="govuk-link">GOV.UK: a journey in scaling agile</a> by Jen Allum, Nick Tait and Alan Wright</li> </ul> <h2 id="design-with-data">3. Design with data</h2> <p>In most cases, we can learn from real world behaviour by looking at how existing services are used. Let data drive decision-making, not hunches or guesswork. Keep doing that after taking your service live, prototyping and testing with users then iterating in response. Analytics should be built-in, always on and easy to read. They’re an essential tool.</p> <ul> <li> <a rel="external" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://dataingovernment.blog.gov.uk/2019/05/01/mixing-methods-a-recipe-for-research-success/" class="govuk-link">Mixing methods: a recipe for research success</a> by Haur Kang and Louise Petre</li> <li> <a rel="external" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://userresearch.blog.gov.uk/2019/03/12/how-to-use-data-in-user-research-when-you-have-no-web-analytics/" class="govuk-link">How to use data in user research when you have no web analytics</a> by Louise Petre</li> </ul> <h2 id="do-the-hard-work-to-make-it-simple">4. Do the hard work to make it simple</h2> <p>Making something look simple is easy. Making something simple to use is much harder - especially when the underlying systems are complex - but that’s what we should be doing. Don’t take “It’s always been that way” for an answer. It’s usually more and harder work to make things simple, but it’s the right thing to do.</p> <ul> <li> <a rel="external" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2018/10/17/building-a-better-gov-uk-step-by-step/" class="govuk-link">Building a better GOV.UK, step by step</a> by Gabrielle Acosta and Sam Dub</li> <li> <a rel="external" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://technology.blog.gov.uk/2019/06/10/start-taking-payments-in-one-day-with-gov-uk-pay/" class="govuk-link">Start taking payments in one day with GOV.UK Pay</a> by Katie Bates, Lewis Dunne and Till Wirth</li> </ul> <h2 id="iterate-then-iterate-again">5. Iterate. Then iterate again</h2> <p>The best way to build good services is to start small and iterate wildly. Release <a rel="external" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimum_viable_product" class="govuk-link">minimum viable products</a> early, test them with actual users, move from <a rel="external" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_release_life_cycle#Alpha" class="govuk-link">alpha</a> to <a rel="external" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_release_life_cycle#Beta" class="govuk-link">beta</a> to live adding features, deleting things that don’t work and making refinements based on feedback. Iteration reduces risk. It makes big failures unlikely and turns small failures into lessons. If a prototype isn’t working, don’t be afraid to scrap it and start again.</p> <ul> <li> <a rel="external" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://designnotes.blog.gov.uk/2017/04/07/things-to-consider-when-designing-in-alpha/" class="govuk-link">Things to consider when designing in alpha</a> by Chris Thomas</li> <li> <a rel="external" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://insidegovuk.blog.gov.uk/2017/11/14/using-ab-testing-to-measurably-improve-common-user-journeys/" class="govuk-link">Using A/B testing to measurably improve common user journeys</a> by Mark Mcleod</li> </ul> <h2 id="this-is-for-everyone">6. This is for everyone</h2> <p>Accessible design is good design. Everything we build should be as inclusive, legible and readable as possible. If we have to sacrifice elegance - so be it. We’re building for needs, not audiences. We’re designing for the whole country, not just the ones who are used to using the web. The people who most need our services are often the people who find them hardest to use. Let’s think about those people from the start.</p> <ul> <li> <a rel="external" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://accessibility.blog.gov.uk/2019/02/11/using-persona-profiles-to-test-accessibility/" class="govuk-link">Using persona profiles to test accessibility</a> by Anika Henke</li> <li> <a rel="external" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://accessibility.blog.gov.uk/2017/02/24/what-we-found-when-we-tested-tools-on-the-worlds-least-accessible-webpage/" class="govuk-link">What we found when we tested tools on the world’s least accessible webpage</a> by Mehmet Duran</li> </ul> <h2 id="understand-context">7. Understand context</h2> <p>We’re not designing for a screen, we’re designing for people. We need to think hard about the context in which they’re using our services. Are they in a library? Are they on a phone? Are they only really familiar with Facebook? Have they never used the web before?</p> <ul> <li> <a rel="external" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://userresearch.blog.gov.uk/2019/05/02/researching-in-context/" class="govuk-link">Researching in context</a> by Amy Everett</li> <li> <a rel="external" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2018/08/23/hey-gov-uk-what-are-you-doing-about-voice/" class="govuk-link">Hey GOV.UK, what are you doing about voice?</a> by Sam Dub and Mark Hurrell</li> </ul> <h2 id="build-digital-services-not-websites">8. Build digital services, not websites</h2> <p>A service is something that helps people to do something. Our job is to uncover user needs, and build the service that meets those needs. Of course much of that will be pages on the web, but we’re not here to build websites. The digital world has to connect to the real world, so we have to think about all aspects of a service, and make sure they add up to something that meets user needs.</p> <ul> <li> <a rel="external" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2018/04/04/what-do-we-mean-when-we-talk-about-services/" class="govuk-link">What do we mean when we talk about services?</a> by Stephanie Marsh</li> <li> <a rel="external" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://insidegovuk.blog.gov.uk/2018/02/07/how-we-approached-service-mapping/" class="govuk-link">How we approached service mapping</a> by Gabrielle Acosta and James Butler</li> </ul> <h2 id="be-consistent-not-uniform">9. Be consistent, not uniform</h2> <p>We should use the same language and the same design patterns wherever possible. This helps people get familiar with our services, but when this isn’t possible we should make sure our approach is consistent.</p> <p>This isn’t a straitjacket or a rule book. Every circumstance is different. When we find patterns that work we should share them, and talk about why we use them. But that shouldn’t stop us from improving or changing them in the future when we find better ways of doing things or the needs of users change.</p> <ul> <li> <a rel="external" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://insidegovuk.blog.gov.uk/2018/10/23/introducing-a-simpler-data-informed-publishing-experience/" class="govuk-link">Introducing a simpler, data-informed publishing experience</a> by Rob Rockstroh</li> <li> <a rel="external" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2018/06/22/introducing-the-gov-uk-design-system/" class="govuk-link">Introducing the GOV.UK Design System</a> by Amy Hupe and Alice Noakes</li> </ul> <h2 id="make-things-open-it-makes-things-better">10. Make things open: it makes things better</h2> <p>We should share what we’re doing whenever we can. With colleagues, with users, with the world. Share code, share designs, share ideas, share intentions, share failures. The more eyes there are on a service the better it gets - howlers are spotted, better alternatives are pointed out, the bar is raised.</p> <p>Much of what we’re doing is only possible because of open source code and the generosity of the web design community. We should pay that back.</p> <ul> <li> <a rel="external" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://designnotes.blog.gov.uk/2018/09/26/opening-up-the-gov-uk-design-system-for-contributions/" class="govuk-link">Opening up the GOV.UK Design System for contributions</a> by Ignacia Orellana and Amy Hupe</li> <li> <a rel="external" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://designnotes.blog.gov.uk/2017/03/24/doing-the-hard-work-to-make-things-open/" class="govuk-link">Doing the hard work to make things open</a> by Paul Smith</li> </ul> <div class="call-to-action"> <p>You can <a rel="external" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://github.com/alphagov/govdesign/blob/master/Poster_GovernmentDesignPrinciples.pdf" class="govuk-link">download a set of posters</a> of the Government Design Principles.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="app-c-published-dates app-c-published-dates--history govuk-!-margin-bottom-5" id="full-publication-update-history" data-module="gem-toggle" lang="en"> Published 3 April 2012 <br>Last updated 10 September 2019 <a href="#full-history" class="app-c-published-dates__toggle govuk-link" data-controls="full-history" data-expanded="false" data-toggled-text="- hide all updates">+ show all updates</a> <div class="app-c-published-dates__change-history js-hidden" id="full-history"> <ol class="app-c-published-dates__list"> <li class="app-c-published-dates__change-item"> <time class="app-c-published-dates__change-date timestamp" datetime="2019-09-10T13:25:55.000+01:00">10 September 2019</time> <p class="app-c-published-dates__change-note">Updated illustrative blog posts added.</p> </li> <li class="app-c-published-dates__change-item"> <time class="app-c-published-dates__change-date timestamp" datetime="2012-04-03T00:01:00.000+01:00">3 April 2012</time> <p class="app-c-published-dates__change-note">First published.</p> </li> </ol> </div> </div> <div class="published-dates-button-group"> <div data-module="gem-track-click ga4-link-tracker" class="govuk-!-display-none-print govuk-!-margin-bottom-3"> <form class="gem-c-single-page-notification-button" action="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/email/subscriptions/single-page/new" method="POST" data-track-label="/guidance/government-design-principles" data-track-action="Subscribe-button-bottom" data-track-category="Single-page-notification-button" data-button-location="bottom" data-button-text-subscribe="Get emails about this page" data-button-text-unsubscribe="Stop getting emails about this page"> <input type="hidden" name="base_path" value="/guidance/government-design-principles"> <button class="govuk-body-s gem-c-single-page-notification-button__submit" type="submit" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"subscribe","index":{"index_link":2},"index_total":2,"section":"Footer","url":"/email/subscriptions/single-page/new"}"> <svg class="gem-c-single-page-notification-button__icon" aria-hidden="true" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="18" width="18" viewbox="0 0 459.334 459.334"><path fill="currentColor" d="M177.216 404.514c-.001.12-.009.239-.009.359 0 30.078 24.383 54.461 54.461 54.461s54.461-24.383 54.461-54.461c0-.12-.008-.239-.009-.359H175.216zM403.549 336.438l-49.015-72.002v-89.83c0-60.581-43.144-111.079-100.381-122.459V24.485C254.152 10.963 243.19 0 229.667 0s-24.485 10.963-24.485 24.485v27.663c-57.237 11.381-100.381 61.879-100.381 122.459v89.83l-49.015 72.002a24.76 24.76 0 0 0 20.468 38.693H383.08a24.761 24.761 0 0 0 20.469-38.694z"></path></svg><span class="gem-c-single-page-notication-button__text">Get emails about this page</span> </button> </form> </div> <div class="gem-c-print-link govuk-!-display-none-print govuk-!-margin-top-0 govuk-!-margin-bottom-8"> <button class="govuk-link govuk-body-s gem-c-print-link__button" data-module="ga4-event-tracker print-link" data-ga4-event="{"event_name":"print_page","type":"print page","index":{"index_link":2},"index_total":2,"section":"Footer"}">Print this page</button> </div> </div> <div data-sticky-element class="app-c-contents-list-with-body__link-wrapper"> <div class="app-c-contents-list-with-body__link-container"> <a class="govuk-link app-c-back-to-top dont-print" href="#contents"> <svg class="app-c-back-to-top__icon" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="13" height="17" viewbox="0 0 13 17" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"> <path fill="currentColor" d="M6.5 0L0 6.5 1.4 8l4-4v12.7h2V4l4.3 4L13 6.4z"></path> </svg> Contents </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-column-one-third"> <div class="gem-c-contextual-sidebar"> <div class="gem-c-related-navigation" data-module="gem-track-click ga4-link-tracker"> <h2 id="related-nav-related_items-01127c2d" class="gem-c-related-navigation__main-heading" data-track-count="sidebarRelatedItemSection"> Related content </h2> <nav role="navigation" class="gem-c-related-navigation__nav-section" aria-labelledby="related-nav-related_items-01127c2d" data-module="gem-toggle"> <ul class="gem-c-related-navigation__link-list"> <li class="gem-c-related-navigation__link"><a class="govuk-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--sidebar govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--other" data-track-category="relatedLinkClicked" data-track-action="1.1 Related content" data-track-label="/guidance/design" data-track-options="{"dimension28":"5","dimension29":"Design: process and tools"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"related content","index":{"index_section":"1","index_link":"1","index_section_count":"1"},"index_total":"5","section":"Related content"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/guidance/design">Design: process and tools</a></li> <li class="gem-c-related-navigation__link"><a class="govuk-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--sidebar govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--other" data-track-category="relatedLinkClicked" data-track-action="1.2 Related content" data-track-label="/government/publications/national-design-guide" data-track-options="{"dimension28":"5","dimension29":"National design guide"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"related content","index":{"index_section":"1","index_link":"2","index_section_count":"1"},"index_total":"5","section":"Related content"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-design-guide">National design guide</a></li> <li class="gem-c-related-navigation__link"><a class="govuk-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--sidebar govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--other" data-track-category="relatedLinkClicked" data-track-action="1.3 Related content" data-track-label="/guidance/style-guide" data-track-options="{"dimension28":"5","dimension29":"Style guide"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"related content","index":{"index_section":"1","index_link":"3","index_section_count":"1"},"index_total":"5","section":"Related content"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/guidance/style-guide">Style guide</a></li> <li class="gem-c-related-navigation__link"><a class="govuk-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--sidebar govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--other" data-track-category="relatedLinkClicked" data-track-action="1.4 Related content" data-track-label="/guidance/content-design" data-track-options="{"dimension28":"5","dimension29":"Content design: planning, writing and managing content"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"related content","index":{"index_section":"1","index_link":"4","index_section_count":"1"},"index_total":"5","section":"Related content"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/guidance/content-design">Content design: planning, writing and managing content</a></li> <li class="gem-c-related-navigation__link"><a class="govuk-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--sidebar govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--inline govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--other" data-track-category="relatedLinkClicked" data-track-action="1.5 Related content" data-track-label="/guidance/how-to-publish-on-gov-uk" data-track-options="{"dimension28":"5","dimension29":"How to publish on GOV.UK"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"related content","index":{"index_section":"1","index_link":"5","index_section_count":"1"},"index_total":"5","section":"Related content"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-publish-on-gov-uk">How to publish on GOV.UK</a></li> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds"> <div class="gem-c-contextual-footer"> <div class="gem-c-related-navigation" data-module="gem-track-click ga4-link-tracker"> <nav role="navigation" class="gem-c-related-navigation__nav-section" aria-labelledby="related-nav-topics-5de4fcfa" data-module="gem-toggle"> <h2 id="related-nav-topics-5de4fcfa" class="gem-c-related-navigation__sub-heading gem-c-related-navigation__sub-heading--footer" data-track-count="footerRelatedItemSection">Explore the topic</h2> <ul class="gem-c-related-navigation__link-list"> <li class="gem-c-related-navigation__link"><a class="govuk-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--footer" data-track-category="relatedLinkClicked" data-track-action="1.1 Explore the topic" data-track-label="/government/government-efficiency-transparency-and-accountability" data-track-options="{"dimension28":"1","dimension29":"Government efficiency, transparency and accountability"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"contextual footer","index":{"index_section":"1","index_link":"1","index_section_count":"1"},"index_total":"1","section":"Explore the topic"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/government/government-efficiency-transparency-and-accountability">Government efficiency, transparency and accountability</a></li> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> </div> </div> </main> </div> <div class="govuk-width-container"> <div class="gem-c-feedback govuk-!-display-none-print" data-module="feedback ga4-event-tracker"> <div class="gem-c-feedback__prompt gem-c-feedback__js-show js-prompt" tabindex="-1"> <div class="gem-c-feedback__prompt-content"> <div class="gem-c-feedback__prompt-questions js-prompt-questions" hidden> <div class="gem-c-feedback__prompt-question-answer"> <h2 class="gem-c-feedback__prompt-question">Is this page useful?</h2> <ul class="gem-c-feedback__option-list"> <li class="gem-c-feedback__option-list-item govuk-visually-hidden" hidden> <a class="gem-c-feedback__prompt-link" data-track-category="yesNoFeedbackForm" data-track-action="ffMaybeClick" role="button" hidden="hidden" aria-hidden="true" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/contact/govuk"> Maybe </a> </li> <li class="gem-c-feedback__option-list-item"> <button class="govuk-button gem-c-feedback__prompt-link js-page-is-useful" data-track-category="yesNoFeedbackForm" data-track-action="ffYesClick" data-ga4-event="{"event_name":"form_submit","type":"feedback","text":"Yes", "section": "Is this page useful?"}"> Yes <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">this page is useful</span> </button> </li> <li class="gem-c-feedback__option-list-item"> <button class="govuk-button gem-c-feedback__prompt-link js-toggle-form js-page-is-not-useful" data-track-category="yesNoFeedbackForm" data-track-action="ffNoClick" aria-controls="page-is-not-useful" aria-expanded="false" data-ga4-event="{"event_name":"form_submit","type":"feedback","text":"No", "section": "Is this page useful?"}"> No <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">this page is not useful</span> </button> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="gem-c-feedback__prompt-questions gem-c-feedback__prompt-success js-prompt-success" role="alert" hidden> Thank you for your feedback </div> <div class="gem-c-feedback__prompt-questions gem-c-feedback__prompt-questions--something-is-wrong js-prompt-questions" hidden> <button class="govuk-button gem-c-feedback__prompt-link js-toggle-form js-something-is-wrong" data-track-category="Onsite Feedback" data-track-action="GOV-UK Open Form" aria-controls="something-is-wrong" aria-expanded="false" data-ga4-event="{"event_name":"form_submit","type":"feedback","text":"Report a problem with this page", "section": "Is this page useful?"}"> Report a problem with this page </button> </div> </div> </div> <form action="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/contact/govuk/problem_reports" id="something-is-wrong" class="gem-c-feedback__form js-feedback-form" data-track-category="Onsite Feedback" data-track-action="GOV.UK Send Form" method="post" hidden> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds"> <div class="gem-c-feedback__error-summary gem-c-feedback__js-show js-errors" tabindex="-1" hidden></div> <input type="hidden" name="url" value="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/government-design-principles"> <h3 class="gem-c-feedback__form-heading">Help us improve GOV.UK</h3> <p id="feedback_explanation" class="gem-c-feedback__form-paragraph">Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.</p> <div class="govuk-visually-hidden" aria-hidden="true"> <label for="giraffe">This field is for robots only. Please leave blank</label> <input id="giraffe" name="giraffe" type="text" pattern=".{0}" tabindex="-1" autocomplete="off"> </div> <div class="gem-c-textarea govuk-form-group govuk-!-margin-bottom-6"> <label for="textarea-d6176554" class="gem-c-label govuk-label">What were you doing?</label> <textarea name="what_doing" class="govuk-textarea" id="textarea-d6176554" rows="3" spellcheck="true" aria-describedby="feedback_explanation"> </textarea> </div> <div class="gem-c-textarea govuk-form-group govuk-!-margin-bottom-6"> <label for="textarea-8a913d87" class="gem-c-label govuk-label">What went wrong?</label> <textarea name="what_wrong" class="govuk-textarea" id="textarea-8a913d87" rows="3" spellcheck="true"> </textarea> </div> <button class="gem-c-button govuk-button" type="submit" data-ga4-event="{"event_name":"form_submit","type":"feedback","text":"Send","section":"Help us improve GOV.UK"}">Send</button> <button class="govuk-button govuk-button--secondary gem-c-feedback__close gem-c-feedback__js-show js-close-form" data-track-category="Onsite Feedback" data-track-action="GOV.UK Close Form" aria-controls="something-is-wrong" aria-expanded="true"> Cancel </button> </div> </div> </form> <script nonce="2Zu9iTOJbLrVtV9tZ6wK7A=="> //<![CDATA[ document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function () { var input = document.querySelector("#giraffe"), form = document.querySelector("#something-is-wrong") form.addEventListener("submit", spamCapture); function spamCapture(e) { if (input.value.length !== 0) return; e.preventDefault(); } }); //]]> </script> <form action="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/contact/govuk/email-survey-signup" id="page-is-not-useful" class="gem-c-feedback__form gem-c-feedback__form--email gem-c-feedback__js-show js-feedback-form" data-track-category="yesNoFeedbackForm" data-track-action="Send Form" method="post"> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds" id="survey-wrapper"> <div class="gem-c-feedback__error-summary js-errors" tabindex="-1" hidden></div> <input name="email_survey_signup[survey_id]" type="hidden" value="footer_satisfaction_survey"> <input name="email_survey_signup[survey_source]" type="hidden" value="/guidance/government-design-principles"> <h3 class="gem-c-feedback__form-heading">Help us improve GOV.UK</h3> <p id="survey_explanation" class="gem-c-feedback__form-paragraph">To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. We’ll send you a link to a feedback form. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone.</p> <div class="govuk-form-group"> <label for="input-aac1fc3f" class="gem-c-label govuk-label">Email address</label> <input aria-describedby="survey_explanation" autocomplete="email" class="gem-c-input govuk-input" id="input-aac1fc3f" name="email_survey_signup[email_address]" spellcheck="false" type="email"> </div> <button class="gem-c-button govuk-button" type="submit" data-ga4-event="{"event_name":"form_submit","type":"feedback","text":"Send me the survey","section":"Help us improve GOV.UK"}">Send me the survey</button> <button class="govuk-button govuk-button--secondary gem-c-feedback__close js-close-form" data-track-category="yesNoFeedbackForm" data-track-action="ffFormClose" aria-controls="page-is-not-useful" aria-expanded="true" hidden> Cancel </button> </div> </div> </form> </div> </div> <footer class="gem-c-layout-footer govuk-footer gem-c-layout-footer--border" role="contentinfo" data-module="ga4-link-tracker"> <div class="govuk-width-container"> <div class="govuk-footer__navigation" data-module="gem-track-click" data-track-links-only> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds govuk-!-display-none-print"> <h2 class="govuk-footer__heading govuk-heading-m">Topics</h2> <ul class="govuk-footer__list govuk-footer__list--columns-2"> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/benefits" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Benefits"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index":{"index_link":"1","index_section":"1","index_section_count":"5"},"index_total":"16","section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits">Benefits</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/births-deaths-marriages" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Births, death, marriages and care"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index":{"index_link":"2","index_section":"1","index_section_count":"5"},"index_total":"16","section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/browse/births-deaths-marriages">Births, death, marriages and care</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/business" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Business and self-employed"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index":{"index_link":"3","index_section":"1","index_section_count":"5"},"index_total":"16","section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/browse/business">Business and self-employed</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/childcare-parenting" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Childcare and parenting"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index":{"index_link":"4","index_section":"1","index_section_count":"5"},"index_total":"16","section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/browse/childcare-parenting">Childcare and parenting</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/citizenship" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Citizenship and living in the UK"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index":{"index_link":"5","index_section":"1","index_section_count":"5"},"index_total":"16","section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/browse/citizenship">Citizenship and living in the UK</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/justice" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Crime, justice and the law"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index":{"index_link":"6","index_section":"1","index_section_count":"5"},"index_total":"16","section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/browse/justice">Crime, justice and the law</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/disabilities" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Disabled people"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index":{"index_link":"7","index_section":"1","index_section_count":"5"},"index_total":"16","section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/browse/disabilities">Disabled people</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/driving" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Driving and transport"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index":{"index_link":"8","index_section":"1","index_section_count":"5"},"index_total":"16","section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/browse/driving">Driving and transport</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/education" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Education and learning"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index":{"index_link":"9","index_section":"1","index_section_count":"5"},"index_total":"16","section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/browse/education">Education and learning</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/employing-people" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Employing people"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index":{"index_link":"10","index_section":"1","index_section_count":"5"},"index_total":"16","section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/browse/employing-people">Employing people</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/environment-countryside" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Environment and countryside"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index":{"index_link":"11","index_section":"1","index_section_count":"5"},"index_total":"16","section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/browse/environment-countryside">Environment and countryside</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/housing-local-services" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Housing and local services"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index":{"index_link":"12","index_section":"1","index_section_count":"5"},"index_total":"16","section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/browse/housing-local-services">Housing and local services</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/tax" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Money and tax"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index":{"index_link":"13","index_section":"1","index_section_count":"5"},"index_total":"16","section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/browse/tax">Money and tax</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/abroad" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Passports, travel and living abroad"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index":{"index_link":"14","index_section":"1","index_section_count":"5"},"index_total":"16","section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/browse/abroad">Passports, travel and living abroad</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/visas-immigration" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Visas and immigration"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index":{"index_link":"15","index_section":"1","index_section_count":"5"},"index_total":"16","section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration">Visas and immigration</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/working" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Working, jobs and pensions"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index":{"index_link":"16","index_section":"1","index_section_count":"5"},"index_total":"16","section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/browse/working">Working, jobs and pensions</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-column-one-third govuk-!-display-none-print"> <h2 class="govuk-footer__heading govuk-heading-m">Government activity</h2> <ul class="govuk-footer__list govuk-footer__list--columns-1"> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-label="/government/organisations" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Departments"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index":{"index_link":"1","index_section":"2","index_section_count":"5"},"index_total":"8","section":"Government activity"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations">Departments</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-label="/search/news-and-communications" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"News"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index":{"index_link":"2","index_section":"2","index_section_count":"5"},"index_total":"8","section":"Government activity"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/search/news-and-communications">News</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-label="/search/guidance-and-regulation" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Guidance and regulation"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index":{"index_link":"3","index_section":"2","index_section_count":"5"},"index_total":"8","section":"Government activity"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/search/guidance-and-regulation">Guidance and regulation</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-label="/search/research-and-statistics" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Research and statistics"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index":{"index_link":"4","index_section":"2","index_section_count":"5"},"index_total":"8","section":"Government activity"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/search/research-and-statistics">Research and statistics</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-label="/search/policy-papers-and-consultations" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Policy papers and consultations"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index":{"index_link":"5","index_section":"2","index_section_count":"5"},"index_total":"8","section":"Government activity"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/search/policy-papers-and-consultations">Policy papers and consultations</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-label="/search/transparency-and-freedom-of-information-releases" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Transparency"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index":{"index_link":"6","index_section":"2","index_section_count":"5"},"index_total":"8","section":"Government activity"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/search/transparency-and-freedom-of-information-releases">Transparency</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-label="/government/how-government-works" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"How government works"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index":{"index_link":"7","index_section":"2","index_section_count":"5"},"index_total":"8","section":"Government activity"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/government/how-government-works">How government works</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-label="/government/get-involved" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Get involved"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index":{"index_link":"8","index_section":"2","index_section_count":"5"},"index_total":"8","section":"Government activity"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/government/get-involved">Get involved</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <hr class="govuk-footer__section-break"> <div class="govuk-footer__meta"> <div class="govuk-footer__meta-item govuk-footer__meta-item--grow"> <h2 class="govuk-visually-hidden">Support links</h2> <ul class="govuk-footer__inline-list govuk-!-display-none-print" data-module="gem-track-click" data-track-links-only> <li class="govuk-footer__inline-list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="supportLink" data-track-label="/help" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Help"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index":{"index_link":"1","index_section":"3","index_section_count":"5"},"index_total":"8","section":"Support links"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/help">Help</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__inline-list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="supportLink" data-track-label="/help/privacy-notice" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Privacy"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index":{"index_link":"2","index_section":"3","index_section_count":"5"},"index_total":"8","section":"Support links"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/help/privacy-notice">Privacy</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__inline-list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="supportLink" data-track-label="/help/cookies" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Cookies"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index":{"index_link":"3","index_section":"3","index_section_count":"5"},"index_total":"8","section":"Support links"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/help/cookies">Cookies</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__inline-list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="supportLink" data-track-label="/help/accessibility-statement" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Accessibility statement"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index":{"index_link":"4","index_section":"3","index_section_count":"5"},"index_total":"8","section":"Support links"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/help/accessibility-statement">Accessibility statement</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__inline-list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="supportLink" data-track-label="/contact" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Contact"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index":{"index_link":"5","index_section":"3","index_section_count":"5"},"index_total":"8","section":"Support links"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/contact">Contact</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__inline-list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="supportLink" data-track-label="/help/terms-conditions" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Terms and conditions"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index":{"index_link":"6","index_section":"3","index_section_count":"5"},"index_total":"8","section":"Support links"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/help/terms-conditions">Terms and conditions</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__inline-list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" lang="cy" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="supportLink" data-track-label="/cymraeg" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Rhestr o Wasanaethau Cymraeg"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index":{"index_link":"7","index_section":"3","index_section_count":"5"},"index_total":"8","section":"Support links"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/cymraeg">Rhestr o Wasanaethau Cymraeg</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__inline-list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="supportLink" data-track-label="/government/organisations/government-digital-service" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Government Digital Service"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index":{"index_link":"8","index_section":"3","index_section_count":"5"},"index_total":"8","section":"Support links"}" href="/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/government-digital-service">Government Digital Service</a> </li> </ul> <svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" class="govuk-footer__licence-logo" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 483.2 195.7" height="17" width="41"> <path fill="currentColor" d="M421.5 142.8V.1l-50.7 32.3v161.1h112.4v-50.7zm-122.3-9.6A47.12 47.12 0 0 1 221 97.8c0-26 21.1-47.1 47.1-47.1 16.7 0 31.4 8.7 39.7 21.8l42.7-27.2A97.63 97.63 0 0 0 268.1 0c-36.5 0-68.3 20.1-85.1 49.7A98 98 0 0 0 97.8 0C43.9 0 0 43.9 0 97.8s43.9 97.8 97.8 97.8c36.5 0 68.3-20.1 85.1-49.7a97.76 97.76 0 0 0 149.6 25.4l19.4 22.2h3v-87.8h-80l24.3 27.5zM97.8 145c-26 0-47.1-21.1-47.1-47.1s21.1-47.1 47.1-47.1 47.2 21 47.2 47S123.8 145 97.8 145"></path> </svg> <span class="govuk-footer__licence-description" data-module="gem-track-click" data-track-action="copyrightLink" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-label="https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/" data-track-options="{"dimension29": "Open Government Licence v3.0"}" data-track-links-only data-ga4-track-links-only data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","section":"Licence","index":{"index_section":"4","index_link":"1","index_section_count":"5"},"text":"Open Government Licence v3.0","index_total":"1","type":"footer"}"> All content is available under the <a class="govuk-footer__link" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/" rel="license">Open Government Licence v3.0</a>, except where otherwise stated </span> </div> <div class="govuk-footer__meta-item" data-module="gem-track-click" data-track-action="copyrightLink" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-label="https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/information-management/re-using-public-sector-information/uk-government-licensing-framework/crown-copyright/" data-track-options="{"dimension29": "© Crown copyright"}" data-track-links-only data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","section":"Copyright","index":{"index_section":"5","index_link":"1","index_section_count":"5"},"text":"© Crown copyright","index_total":"1","type":"footer"}"> <a class="govuk-footer__link govuk-footer__copyright-logo" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/information-management/re-using-public-sector-information/uk-government-licensing-framework/crown-copyright/">© Crown copyright</a> </div> </div> </div> </footer> <script src="/web/20230722180032js_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/application-552bcc46f397538d6eec353a0eb617556364aac48b43a258be0d93d454531264.js"></script> <script src="/web/20230722180032js_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/application-fbbbef7e4b85e9348b9a5f176743a095188c4c03b4a27c81eb37b24079d14006.js"></script><script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/http://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/guidance/government-design-principles" }, "name": "Government Design Principles", "datePublished": "2012-04-02T23:01:00.000Z", "dateModified": "2019-09-10T12:25:55.000Z", "text": "The UK government's design principles and examples of how they've been used.", "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "GOV.UK", "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/govuk-logo-73b5a4056ffe9988d02c728b56fe9fe7f90bb822322a5f6183ccbb92a99b019a.png" } }, "image": [ "https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/govuk-schema-placeholder-1x1-bf9e64d759af6dfd93bede8168f3087a329f405b382aff36747db0db4b7b23e9.png", "https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/govuk-schema-placeholder-4x3-13093f053c15f613acd827aff27cac83d3fab452947cbcae4c7b706dadf2f7f2.png", "https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/govuk-schema-placeholder-16x9-4233cd42671827e266e284c4d5ae68fb600bd9f9e35dda663ccabbc2b6ab7ec3.png" ], "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Central Digital and Data Office", "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/central-digital-and-data-office" }, "about": [ { "@context": "https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/http://schema.org", "@type": "Thing", "sameAs": "https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/government/government-efficiency-transparency-and-accountability" } ], "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Government Design Principles", "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/guidance/government-design-principles", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/guidance/government-design-principles", "text": "\u003cdiv class=\"govspeak\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"start-with-user-needs\"\u003e1. Start with user needs\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eService design starts with identifying user needs. If you don’t know what the user needs are, you won’t build the right thing. Do research, analyse data, talk to users. Don’t make assumptions. Have empathy for users, and remember that what they ask for isn’t always what they need.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"https://userresearch.blog.gov.uk/2017/04/18/why-we-care-more-about-effectiveness-than-efficiency-or-satisfaction/\" class=\"govuk-link\"\u003eWhy we care more about effectiveness than efficiency or satisfaction\u003c/a\u003e by John Waterworth\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"https://userresearch.blog.gov.uk/2017/09/01/10-tips-for-working-with-your-user-researcher/\" class=\"govuk-link\"\u003e10 tips for working with your user researcher\u003c/a\u003e by Kieron Kirkland\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"do-less\"\u003e2. Do less\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGovernment should only do what only government can do. If we’ve found a way of doing something that works, we should make it reusable and shareable instead of reinventing the wheel every time. This means building platforms and registers others can build upon, providing resources (like APIs) that others can use, and linking to the work of others. We should concentrate on the irreducible core.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2019/06/04/guest-post-adapting-the-gov-uk-design-system-for-the-nhs/\" class=\"govuk-link\"\u003eAdapting the GOV.UK Design System for the NHS\u003c/a\u003e by Tim Paul and Dean Vipond\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2018/04/26/gov-uk-a-journey-in-scaling-agile/\" class=\"govuk-link\"\u003eGOV.UK: a journey in scaling agile\u003c/a\u003e by Jen Allum, Nick Tait and Alan Wright\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"design-with-data\"\u003e3. Design with data\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn most cases, we can learn from real world behaviour by looking at how existing services are used. Let data drive decision-making, not hunches or guesswork. Keep doing that after taking your service live, prototyping and testing with users then iterating in response. Analytics should be built-in, always on and easy to read. They’re an essential tool.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"https://dataingovernment.blog.gov.uk/2019/05/01/mixing-methods-a-recipe-for-research-success/\" class=\"govuk-link\"\u003eMixing methods: a recipe for research success\u003c/a\u003e by Haur Kang and Louise Petre\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"https://userresearch.blog.gov.uk/2019/03/12/how-to-use-data-in-user-research-when-you-have-no-web-analytics/\" class=\"govuk-link\"\u003eHow to use data in user research when you have no web analytics\u003c/a\u003e by Louise Petre\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"do-the-hard-work-to-make-it-simple\"\u003e4. Do the hard work to make it simple\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMaking something look simple is easy. Making something simple to use is much harder - especially when the underlying systems are complex - but that’s what we should be doing. Don’t take “It’s always been that way” for an answer. It’s usually more and harder work to make things simple, but it’s the right thing to do.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2018/10/17/building-a-better-gov-uk-step-by-step/\" class=\"govuk-link\"\u003eBuilding a better GOV.UK, step by step\u003c/a\u003e by Gabrielle Acosta and Sam Dub\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"https://technology.blog.gov.uk/2019/06/10/start-taking-payments-in-one-day-with-gov-uk-pay/\" class=\"govuk-link\"\u003eStart taking payments in one day with GOV.UK Pay\u003c/a\u003e by Katie Bates, Lewis Dunne and Till Wirth\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"iterate-then-iterate-again\"\u003e5. Iterate. Then iterate again\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe best way to build good services is to start small and iterate wildly. Release \u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimum_viable_product\" class=\"govuk-link\"\u003eminimum viable products\u003c/a\u003e early, test them with actual users, move from \u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_release_life_cycle#Alpha\" class=\"govuk-link\"\u003ealpha\u003c/a\u003e to \u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_release_life_cycle#Beta\" class=\"govuk-link\"\u003ebeta\u003c/a\u003e to live adding features, deleting things that don’t work and making refinements based on feedback. Iteration reduces risk. It makes big failures unlikely and turns small failures into lessons. If a prototype isn’t working, don’t be afraid to scrap it and start again.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"https://designnotes.blog.gov.uk/2017/04/07/things-to-consider-when-designing-in-alpha/\" class=\"govuk-link\"\u003eThings to consider when designing in alpha\u003c/a\u003e by Chris Thomas\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"https://insidegovuk.blog.gov.uk/2017/11/14/using-ab-testing-to-measurably-improve-common-user-journeys/\" class=\"govuk-link\"\u003eUsing A/B testing to measurably improve common user journeys\u003c/a\u003e by Mark Mcleod\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"this-is-for-everyone\"\u003e6. This is for everyone\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAccessible design is good design. Everything we build should be as inclusive, legible and readable as possible. If we have to sacrifice elegance - so be it. We’re building for needs, not audiences. We’re designing for the whole country, not just the ones who are used to using the web. The people who most need our services are often the people who find them hardest to use. Let’s think about those people from the start.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"https://accessibility.blog.gov.uk/2019/02/11/using-persona-profiles-to-test-accessibility/\" class=\"govuk-link\"\u003eUsing persona profiles to test accessibility\u003c/a\u003e by Anika Henke\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"https://accessibility.blog.gov.uk/2017/02/24/what-we-found-when-we-tested-tools-on-the-worlds-least-accessible-webpage/\" class=\"govuk-link\"\u003eWhat we found when we tested tools on the world’s least accessible webpage\u003c/a\u003e by Mehmet Duran\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"understand-context\"\u003e7. Understand context\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe’re not designing for a screen, we’re designing for people. We need to think hard about the context in which they’re using our services. Are they in a library? Are they on a phone? Are they only really familiar with Facebook? Have they never used the web before?\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"https://userresearch.blog.gov.uk/2019/05/02/researching-in-context/\" class=\"govuk-link\"\u003eResearching in context\u003c/a\u003e by Amy Everett\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2018/08/23/hey-gov-uk-what-are-you-doing-about-voice/\" class=\"govuk-link\"\u003eHey GOV.UK, what are you doing about voice?\u003c/a\u003e by Sam Dub and Mark Hurrell\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"build-digital-services-not-websites\"\u003e8. Build digital services, not websites\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA service is something that helps people to do something. Our job is to uncover user needs, and build the service that meets those needs. Of course much of that will be pages on the web, but we’re not here to build websites. The digital world has to connect to the real world, so we have to think about all aspects of a service, and make sure they add up to something that meets user needs.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2018/04/04/what-do-we-mean-when-we-talk-about-services/\" class=\"govuk-link\"\u003eWhat do we mean when we talk about services?\u003c/a\u003e by Stephanie Marsh\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"https://insidegovuk.blog.gov.uk/2018/02/07/how-we-approached-service-mapping/\" class=\"govuk-link\"\u003eHow we approached service mapping\u003c/a\u003e by Gabrielle Acosta and James Butler\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"be-consistent-not-uniform\"\u003e9. Be consistent, not uniform\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe should use the same language and the same design patterns wherever possible. This helps people get familiar with our services, but when this isn’t possible we should make sure our approach is consistent.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis isn’t a straitjacket or a rule book. Every circumstance is different. When we find patterns that work we should share them, and talk about why we use them. But that shouldn’t stop us from improving or changing them in the future when we find better ways of doing things or the needs of users change.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"https://insidegovuk.blog.gov.uk/2018/10/23/introducing-a-simpler-data-informed-publishing-experience/\" class=\"govuk-link\"\u003eIntroducing a simpler, data-informed publishing experience\u003c/a\u003e by Rob Rockstroh\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2018/06/22/introducing-the-gov-uk-design-system/\" class=\"govuk-link\"\u003eIntroducing the GOV.UK Design System\u003c/a\u003e by Amy Hupe and Alice Noakes\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"make-things-open-it-makes-things-better\"\u003e10. Make things open: it makes things better\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe should share what we’re doing whenever we can. With colleagues, with users, with the world. Share code, share designs, share ideas, share intentions, share failures. The more eyes there are on a service the better it gets -\n howlers are spotted, better alternatives are pointed out, the bar is raised.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMuch of what we’re doing is only possible because of open source code and the generosity of the web design community. We should pay that back.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"https://designnotes.blog.gov.uk/2018/09/26/opening-up-the-gov-uk-design-system-for-contributions/\" class=\"govuk-link\"\u003eOpening up the GOV.UK Design System for contributions\u003c/a\u003e by Ignacia Orellana and Amy Hupe\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"https://designnotes.blog.gov.uk/2017/03/24/doing-the-hard-work-to-make-things-open/\" class=\"govuk-link\"\u003eDoing the hard work to make things open\u003c/a\u003e by Paul Smith\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"call-to-action\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can \u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"https://github.com/alphagov/govdesign/blob/master/Poster_GovernmentDesignPrinciples.pdf\" class=\"govuk-link\"\u003edownload a set of posters\u003c/a\u003e of the Government Design Principles.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\n\u003c/div\u003e" } } ] } </script><script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/http://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": { "name": "Home", "@id": "https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/" } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "item": { "name": "Government", "@id": "https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/government/all" } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "item": { "name": "Government efficiency, transparency and accountability", "@id": "https://web.archive.org/web/20230722180032/https://www.gov.uk/government/government-efficiency-transparency-and-accountability" } } ] } </script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM