Want your app to be as user-friendly as famous Instagram or Facebook? Let us explain how to make it happen.
Modern design is moving towards maximum functionality and simplicity. No wonder Steve Jobs talked about “three clicks to the goal.” The design “cares” more and more about the user based on his needs.
Good user interface design solves both of these problems:
- To be useful, mobile apps must be user-centric. Users are installing your app because they want to solve some problems. Thus, the application has a pronounced “purposefulness”. Think about what your users will be trying to achieve and focus on their main goals. Remove all obstacles from their path.
- You need to bring clarity to your UI. To effectively solve their problems using your interface, people need to understand how to use it. There just shouldn’t be room for confusion.
A simple rule
One main action per screen. Each screen you design in an application must support one action that is truly important to the user. This makes it easy to learn and use. One hundred clear screens are preferable to one cluttered one.
Colors and gradients
The trend that has moved from web design to bright colors has taken root in mobile applications. Saturation and contrasts have replaced the restrained palette, gradients have returned. They let the colors play, giving them softness and “friendliness”. The highlighting of functional elements with bright colors was greeted by users with warmth.
More space between elements
Or otherwise, a space that creates a feeling of space and lightness. In addition, large areas that are not occupied by content allow users to focus on the necessary details of the mobile application.
Use correct tap targets
Small tap targets are more difficult for users to hit than large ones. When creating a mobile interface, it is better to make tap targets large enough to make it easier to hit them.
Create controls that are 7-10mm in size and easy to tap with your finger. The edges of the target are visible when the user clicks on it. This lets them know that they hit the mark.
Develop hand placement based controls
49% of people rely only on their thumb to solve problems. In the image below, the chart shown on a mobile phone screen is a rough coverage chart in which colors indicate which areas the user can reach with their thumb to interact with the screen.
Test your design
Too often, mobile designs look great when viewed on a large screen, but don’t show half their beauty when viewed on a mobile device. Even the most painstakingly crafted UX will ultimately contain an invisible defect when brought into the real world. This is why it is so important to test your application with real users on various mobile devices.
Error messages
The best error message is the one that doesn’t appear at all. The best way to avoid mistakes is to properly instruct the user in advance. But if, nevertheless, an error occurs, then a competent error message not only teaches the user how to prevent it in the future, but also makes it clear to the user that they are being taken care of, and not ignored.
There are many more rules for successful UX/UI, so ask us for assistance if you are interested ?