8 App Design Tips for a Better UI/UX

With more users turning to their smartphones for everyday life activities, it’s essential to pay extra attention to the UI and UX of app design. It’s not enough to launch a mobile on app stores; it needs to be highly intuitive with a seamless interface for users to choose you over your competitors.

Mobile app design companies must understand the importance of UI/UX design and the challenges it presents. You have to fit a ton of information within a small screen instead of the larger display of a desktop.

Plus, when it comes to app design, there are significant UI differences you need to account for Android and iOS apps. For example, navigation is different for both OSes as are screen sizes, and more.

Alternatively, the two platforms share a similar design process. Both Android and iOS UI/UX designers need to consider device fragmentation when it comes to screen sizes. The balance of whitespaces with text and visual elements, font size, and more are also essential for both platforms.

That said, designing a user-friendly UI for exceptional user experience is not an impossible feat. The blog highlights some tips and tricks you can follow to enhance your UI/UX designs:

Tips to Design Better UI/UX for Android or iOS

UI and UX are terms often used interchangeably, but they differ entirely in concepts and execution. The user interface (UI) is the visual appearance of your software, including its layout, presentation, and interactivity.

User experience or UX, on the other hand, is the technical aspect of the app that deals with its usability and functionality.

However, for an intuitive UI that offers an excellent user experience, UI and UX designers need to work together. Thus, here are some ways you can design a better UI/UX for Android and iOS apps:

·         Prioritize Accessibility

App design may not be a ‘one-size-fits-all’ concept, but accessibility is an essential component for both Android and iOS interfaces. It implies making your software usable for as many people as possible.

How users hold their phones is also a factor you need to consider when designing UI and UX of your app. Keeping in mind the way they use their smartphones will help improve the accessibility of the app for all users.

That said, there are three ways people can hold their phones, namely left-handed, right-handed, or combined. An ideal UI/UX design would be one that inputs primary app functions within natural reach for all three types of users.

·         Consider Readability

With larger desktop screens, it was easy to provide a ton of information on a single web page with sufficient whitespaces. For mobile apps, however, you need to fit just as many details without compromising the user experience.

It is challenging to find the perfect mix of ingredients to maintain the readability and usability of the app. Excellent readability with other design elements makes for excellent user experience.

What you can do is maintain a visual hierarchy of fonts and other design elements, use contrasting colors that work well together, and so on. The goal is to maintain readability and enhance the overall user experience.

·         Font Type & Size

Font type and size plays a significant role in the UI and UX of an app. Not only does it influence readability, but also entice different emotions from the users. Font type can make or break your app design!

Here’s what you need to think of when it comes to picking fonts:

  • Color Contrast

Use contrasting colors for your text and background to make it prominent. The 60-30-10 rule works well here. It refers to a perfectly balanced proportion of colors throughout the app.

  • Typeface

A typeface is the font style. An ideal typeface would one that ensures readability in every size.

  • Size

Android and iOS have different recommendations for font size. The best size is one that users can read at a standard viewing distance without zooming in or out.

Thus, seasoned designers dedicate plenty of time to choosing the ideal typeface and size more than other design elements.

·         Visual Aesthetics

A visually appealing app is one that displays a balance of whitespace, font, and other design elements. For that, you need to take on a minimalist approach to design. It will not only give your mobile app a sophisticated and elegant UI but also improve the UX.

Sufficient whitespaces between your text and visual graphics add a certain calmness from the users’ perspective. Plus, any bold color choice or font style would redirect the viewers’ attention from the primary purpose of the app.

·         Keep Navigation Simple& Familiar

For exceptional user experience, it’s best to stick to familiar design elements for navigation. Trying to reinvent concepts and add new features will only decrease the usability of the app, making it difficult for users to understand what’s what and where.

For example, use the typical Android drawer or iOS tab bar for your app menus. They are familiar to all Android and iOS users, thus automatically improve the usability of your app.

The minimalist visual design also makes navigation easier. It is convenient for users to find what they need and where they need to go. An ideal choice is to highlight the primary app function and keep other options within a drawer or hamburger menu.

Additionally, it’s best to ensure the app’s navigation menu is always within sight when users move from one screen to the other. If you use icons, then make sure they are easy to understand. For example, a magnifying glass represents the search option.

You can also prioritize some features, meaning create a primary, secondary, or tertiary menu, if needed.

·         Maintain Consistency

Consistency is vital when it comes to UI designs. Throughout the app, you need to ensure visual and functional consistency. While Android and iOS app will differ from each other, it’s essential to be consistent on each platform.

Secondly, your app design should be in line with your website layout and theme. Consistency with all your digital properties will also help build credibility and trust among your target audience.

·         Follow Platform-Specific Guidelines (Android or iOS)

Google Play Store and iOS App Store have a different set of guidelines for app UI design. From app navigation to call-to-action buttons, typography, and more, they each have separate requirements that designers need to meet to ensure their app passes review.

For example, the Material Design Guidelines for Android suggests an uppercase font and shadow effect for its buttons. On the other hand, iOS UI designers need to stick to a flat design with a title case for fonts.

Similarly, the two platforms have their choice of typefaces. Android prefers Roboto, while iOS has San Francisco as its system typeface. iOS apps also showcase text hierarchy with variants of San Francisco, SF UI Text, and SF UI Display.

·         Test Your Designs

Regardless of the elegance of your UI/UX design, your efforts will be futile if you don’t test it out. Wireframing and prototyping tools help you test your app layout for its usability, functionality, and user experience.

They can help you work out the kinks in your design before you go deeper into the development process and ensure a positive experience for your users.

Ready, Set, Design!

Now that you know the best practices for a better UI/UX, it’s time to work on your app design. Remember,you don’t need to get it right the first time around. You’re bound to make mistakes. But experience and practice will help you improve your design.

So? Are you ready to design? You can also hire mobile app design companies to help you with your vision for a mobile app that fits your business goals.

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