The mobile app design has quickly taken center stage among the core skill requirements of today’s UI designer. On Google Play and among iOS users, nativeness is most valued in UX and UI solutions.
If a mobile application is developed using guidelines, then the App Store makes it much easier to let it work, and users are happy when they see something familiar and beloved for a long time.
All this means that the designer needs to be guided by the general requirements and not forget to keep track of updates that come out at an enviable frequency. Only in this case, they will be able to maintain professionalism and remain in demand in the labor market.
Designing mobile apps for iOS can be especially challenging, as there are strict rules that must be followed if the goal is to preserve native behavior and UI. It might be better to ask for the professional help from appkong.com to save your time and money. Beginners and Android users have the most difficult time because iOS usability is fundamentally different from the usual behavior of applications on their devices.
To make life easier for designers, we have compiled a list of life hacks that will significantly speed up the study of guidelines, prevent many mistakes in submitting layouts to developers, and, hopefully, inspire interesting design solutions.
1. Fonts and Their Options
In the case when a specialist is faced with the task to create a native application design for iOS, they will not need to choose a font. The platform developers have already taken care of this – they have written in the guidelines that it is necessary to use their own San Francisco font.
It comes in two styles: “SF UI Display” and “SF UI Text.display”. The first is mainly used for standard interface elements, and “Text” is used for headings and body text.
Of course, custom fonts can also be used. But this approach can increase the developer’s labor costs. If this point cannot be bypassed, be careful with the license.
2. Basics of Working with Color, Software Difficulties
When designing an app, the wrong choice of color can evoke a wide range of emotions in the consumer, up to and including deleting the app. It is necessary to choose such colors that will not only be combined with each other, but also correspond to the theme of the product. It must be clearly understood that some colors can be tied to a specific action by default – in case of inappropriate use, they will mislead the user.
Tips for Using Colors When Designing an iOS Application
Here are several useful tips:
- Use bold colors to show that the element is clickable.
- Your best friends are complimentary colors.
- Use a limited number of colors, ideally two or three, one of which will be responsible for the buttons and active elements of the application.
- Do not mislead the user by using a color that is traditionally equated with some kind of action. Reds, greens, blues, and neutrals need to be used wisely.
- If the company for which the application is being developed has a logo and/or guidelines, it is worth using the available data so as not to break the connection with the brand.
- Gradients in the main elements of the application greatly complicate the work of the programmer. If you are going to use a gradient, try to keep it as simple as possible and not use unusual rotations – they are very difficult to implement programmatically.
3. Illustration as a Wow-effect
Illustrations in mobile applications have been in trend for a long time. Every year more and more stringent requirements are imposed on them: more uniqueness, friendliness, and integration with the brand. It is no longer enough for a designer/illustrator to draw inspiration from vector people on photo stocks – they need to focus on trends in style and presentation of information.
Bright Colors and Simple Shapes
“Simple but complex” is a phrase that can be used to describe the new trends in illustration. But work consisting of simple forms will not necessarily be simple. Often, it’s important to use bold, simple shapes that add up to intricate designs with vibrant colors. You can even use gradients. The main thing is not to overdo it with simplicity and remember that illustrations should be as clear as possible. They need to cling and stand out from the crowd.
Whimsical and Abstract
Now more and more illustrators are mixing images, textures, shapes, and lines to create fun abstract designs. If the balance is right, it will look amazing.
4. Icons – a Stylish Tool
Don’t underestimate the importance of icons in mobile app development. In style, they play one of the most important roles. Line thickness, color, rounded corners, shape, and, at the same time, understandability of the sign – all this makes the application unique. Try experimenting – replacing icons with rounded and smooth shapes on the page with geometric ones – you will immediately feel how much this affects the overall picture.
5. Application Icon: Do’s and Don’ts
The app icon is a unique image added for each mobile app. Users will first see the app on the App Store and Google Play. At this stage, the user decides whether they want to learn more about the service. If not, it scrolls further. A good icon generates interest, provides confidence, reassures the user that the application can be useful. At the same time, a bad icon is confusing and calls into question the usefulness/quality of the service. When a person installs it, the purpose of the icon changes – this must be taken into account. It should help in finding the application on the home screen, among other icons.
If you adhere to all of the above-mentioned rules and recommendations, your product will be much better perceived by both the App Store and GooglePlay as well as users.
