The 7 key points for successfully designing your mobile application
Smartphone usage has been increasing year after year. More than a third of the world’s population now owns one! As a result, the development of mobile applications has grown exponentially in recent years.
To design an ergonomic and intuitive app, there are essential rules to follow!
This includes defining the user journey, considering screen size, referring to iOS and Android guidelines, creating a consistent visual universe, and taking into account where smartphones are typically used.
1 – Define the User Journey
Before diving into the design of your application, you first need to define the user journey.
This will give you a clear overview of your app. You will map out the sequence of different screens and highlight the various interactions between your user and your application.
And for this, there’s one simple rule to follow: 1 screen = 1 action.
2 – 1 Screen = 1 Action
This rule helps create intuitive and ergonomic screens.
Your user will quickly understand what they need to do on each screen.
The flow of actions becomes smooth and simple. This contributes to optimizing the user experience and, ultimately, increasing user satisfaction.
This rule is closely tied to an important technical constraint: the screen size!
3 – Screen size: the main constraint
It may seem obvious, but screen size is the main constraint for the user interface when designing a mobile application.
It impacts visual design, ergonomics, and even the user journey.
Beyond screen size, the way users navigate using their fingers also has a major influence on interface design.
It’s important to identify the « comfort zones » and areas to avoid when placing CTAs (Calls to Action).
The comfort zone, or « Thumb Zone, » is the area that the thumb can easily reach when using a smartphone with one hand.
This is the most comfortable and natural area for interaction.
4 – White space
A screen is made up of two types of elements:
- Graphic components (such as an image or text)
- White space
White space is essential because it highlights key elements on a screen and creates distance between elements to prevent user mistakes.
Let’s take the example of buttons: they need to be large enough to be easily visible and clickable.
All major players in the mobile industry provide exact guidelines for button sizes.
If two buttons are placed side by side with insufficient spacing, there is a risk that users will tap the wrong button, negatively impacting the user experience.
You can also enhance your app by offering a gamified experience to your users.
5 – Refer to iOS and Android guidelines
When it comes to layout and screen structure, it’s advisable to opt for a simple, vertical layout while adhering to the guidelines set by iOS and Android.
These guidelines outline what to do and what to avoid for each operating system. They consist of graphic styles (currently flat design for iOS and material design for Android) and commonly used components (buttons, navigation, typography, cards, tabs).
6 – Visual universe
For this, you have two options:
- Apply your company’s branding guidelines
- Create a visual universe that aligns with your company’s values and your target user
7 – Consider the smartphone usage environment
Finally, don’t forget to consider the environment in which your application will be used.
Smartphones are used literally everywhere: indoors and outdoors, on public transport, while walking, or even running…
Take the example of varying light conditions (indoor vs outdoor), where contrast becomes even more important. Make sure your design is easily readable in direct sunlight!
To successfully design your mobile application, start by focusing on the user journey to identify interactions between your app and your users, as well as the features.
You must also consider the screen size, which has an impact on the design of your digital product.
Do you have any questions about these 7 key points? You might find the answer in my complete design offer!