01. Get Started
As a vehicle manufacturer, you’re responsible for the radio interface in your cars. Your job is to make sure radio content is displayed clearly, consistently, and safely supporting quick recognition, familiar interactions, and meeting accessibility standards.
Why these guidelines exist
Section titled “Why these guidelines exist”We created these guidelines with a few key things in mind:
Designing radio for the car
Section titled “Designing radio for the car”-
Every manufacturer has their own design system, so these guidelines give you best practices that work with your brand without sacrificing clarity or ease of use
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When both broadcasters and manufacturers follow the same guidelines, drivers get a consistent, predictable experience
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The interface should feel intuitive to drivers—using familiar actions and icons that align with how they already understand radio in their vehicle
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As screens show more information, you need clear guidance on how to design, present, and update content safely while driving
How to use these guidelines
Section titled “How to use these guidelines”Choose your starting point based on your needs:
Section 02 Design Guidelines covers the visual design elements. We know you might have limited flexibility here if radio needs to fit within your existing design system.
Sections 03-08 cover how to display and handle radio-specific information and behaviors. These are important for everyone, regardless of your design approach.
Building a new radio interface?
Section titled “Building a new radio interface?”Learn how to design a beautiful, usable radio interface from the beginning.
Already have a design system?
Section titled “Already have a design system?”Jump straight to how radio should work within your existing interface.
What these guidelines help you achieve
Section titled “What these guidelines help you achieve”An in-vehicle radio experience that is:
- Consistent in how it works and behaves
- Easy and enjoyable for drivers to use
- Seamlessly integrated into your modern media environment
The guidelines align what broadcasters provide with how your system displays it—preventing the frustrating disconnects that happen when these don’t match.