Mobile app design has its principles, so even if you have lots of experience working with desktop UX/UI design, there are still plenty of things to discover. The application should bring values and be intuitive for users. If the application is useful but takes a lot of time and effort into understanding how it works, then people will also forget about it.
In this post, you’re going to read about some valuable UX/UI principles for those who want to work with smartphones and learn about mobile app design to help you to design digital products that everyone is going to love.
UX/UI Principles for Mobile App Design
1. Navigation Should Be Obvious
Navigation is 90% of your mobile app, and it helps users actually use your application. User experience design firms should not confuse users by implementing incomprehensible or non-standard navigation. If no one gets to the desired function or if it is difficult to find the content, then you will lose most customers right away.
There are three principles to respect when working on mobile app design navigation: it should be intuitively clear, follow the platform’s guidelines (iOS or Android), explain to the user where they are, and how they can get to where they want to go.
2. Seamless User Experience
Your potential clients surely have more than one device. They’ll likely use a laptop or desktop at home, tablets on the bus or metro, and smartphones in practically every other situation. If you want to get as close to the customers as possible, you need to provide them with the ability to access your site on every device.
Take Youtube, Facebook, or any other well-made app for example. You can start by watching a video on your desktop, but it will be saved in your library, so you’ll be able to resume that video on your phone while on your way home.
3. Remember That Mobile Screens Are Small
When creating a mobile interface, it’s better to make tap targets large enough to make it easier to hit. Create buttons, around 7-10 mm, and it will be easy to click on them with your finger. The edges of the target should be visible when the user clicks on it. This will make them understand that they have hit the target. Also, make sure there is enough free space between different target objects on the screen.
4. Legible UX/UI Copy
A UX/UI designer needs to adapt the mobile app design to the content so that all the visual elements aid the transmission of the business message and not contradict it. No need to try to squeeze the message into the area it doesn’t fit. Additionally, try to use clean fonts and sizes that are easy to read not only to young people but also to people with bad eyesight.
It has been shown in various studies that a person’s gaze usually slides across the screen in the shape of the letter F. First, people read the first line, then the second, and then begin to quickly move down, reading only one or two of the first words of each sentence. Therefore, we try to not only write concisely but to also transfer the important information to the top of the screen where it will surely be seen. Thus, a person scanning the page will capture the most important words.
5. Personalize
The essence of personalization is to provide the user with relevant information and functionality.
Today, there are many ways to learn more about the user, as they provide some data about themselves (personal information in the profile). Other data can also be obtained from open sources (social networks pages) or by analyzing their actions while using your service (purchases, ratings, likes).
Media services can filter publications according to the preferences of a particular user, analyzing the materials they like. In this way, social media feeds work, raising the publications that you are most likely to enjoy.
Financial services can analyze past user actions and offer them on the main screen.
Amazon analyzes huge amounts of information to recommend products that people like you buy. Not only that, but Amazon can also predict which products and over what period you want to buy.
Big Data analysis is a very effective tool. Think about how you can use it in your project.
6. Always Test Your Design
Usability testing reveals both major and minor interface issues, each of which can scare off your potential buyers. UX testing also shows how understandable the mobile interface is for your users; whether they use it the way the UX/UI designers intended or in a completely different way. These tests show how to change user flow on the site so that users are more comfortable. If your site does not fulfill the function assigned to it and a large number of users are simply leaving without reaching the goal (such a goal could be not only buying but also finding the goods they need, answering their questions, etc.), then usability testing will address why this occurs.
Conclusion: A Brief Introduction to Mobile App Design for UX/UI Designers
Applications and websites are often the only way for the client and your company to interact. In this case, it is worth remembering that everyone on your team invests effort into creating a quality user experience: marketers, managers, support services, programmers, and, of course, the UX/UI designers themselves. This is the only way you can create a good mobile UX that attracts and retains customers.
Need help? Our WordPress Web Design service is the perfect starting point for small to medium size businesses. Call us at 602-633-4758 for a free consultation.
Take a look at the articles 6 Essential Tips on Incorporating Neuroscience in Web Design, Understanding the Pros and Cons of AI in Web Design, What Is an Empathy Map and How to Use It in UX/UI Design, and How to Transition Into Front End Development as a Designer for further reading.
This is really a good read. Thanks for this.
Very nice. Thanks.