Mobile application interface design

Imagine that you have created a cool application with a wide range of functionality and capabilities. But the icon does not stand out among thousands of others, the application is inconvenient, the colors are incorrectly selected, the buttons are placed so that you simply cannot reach them with your thumb on your smartphone. Such an application will not be successful. Therefore, a mobile application interface is being developed, which makes the visual part convenient, simple, attractive and logical.

What is a mobile application interface?

In short, it is a tool for interaction between the user and the program. It is important to make sure that the user easily understands the functionality, the visual is pleasant and not repulsive, and the program works correctly on any device.

The mobile application interface is responsible for ensuring that all of the above conditions are met. This is a complex that allows you to clearly understand how the application should look like, where all the elements are located, what is the logic of the program. Focus on simplicity, interactivity, involvement, ease of learning are the main criteria.

How to design a mobile app interface?

It is necessary to strictly follow the rules and laws of building application logic. Designing a mobile app interface consists of several key parts.

Understanding users

Initially, you need to understand the user's logic and needs. For this, a "character" is created, which must have a name, age, status, habits, needs, interests. Based on the interaction with such a “character”, a custom scenario is created that predicts the client's behavior.

Targeting behavioral patterns, habits and unwritten standards

There are a number of behaviors that can help you position your elements correctly. For example, the thumb is always at the bottom of the smartphone screen, so all buttons need to be located there. You should also consider the features of gestures, animation, anatomical factors. How the user holds the smartphone, where he looks, how he clicks on the screen.

Using an iterative approach

This is a method that allows you to make the design of the interface of a mobile application fast and relevant, and most importantly, to implement only the most important tools. It lies in the fact that first you need to think over the minimum functionality with the most important tools. In the future, gradually expand. This approach reduces development time, reduces risk, and relieves the burden on the interface.

Principles of developing the interface of a mobile web application

• The application must be unique and stand out from the competition;
• Energy saving, ease of management, saving actions - all this shows care for the user;
• Considering user experience, the arrangement of elements at a convenient level, for example, the "delete" and "edit" buttons should be at such a distance so as not to accidentally touch one of them;
• Elaboration of the response, the user must understand that his request is being fulfilled, some actions are taking place;
• Easy text input, considering the peculiarities of the mobile keyboard;
• Noticeable and attractive icon;
• Emphasis on working with a touch screen, all elements must be understandable and easy to interact;
• Minimum of pop-up windows.

Mobile app interface design: basic requirements

• Using familiar UI elements: vertical news feed, rectangular buttons, menu layout;
• A high level of visualization that allows you to harmoniously be in the application;
• Reducing the level of "noise" of the interface, important elements should be shown at the very beginning and be large and visible;
• The presence of a call to action where it is needed;
• Convenient data output, for example, rounded prices;
• Gradually requesting rights, for example, until the user wants to open the camera in the application, there is no need to request access to it in advance;
• Explicit display of opportunities so that the user immediately understands what he will get;
• Customization and the possibility of individual adjustment to the needs of the user.

By fulfilling these requirements, the application will be effective, understandable and useful. All that remains is to focus on visual support, so that it is pleasant to be in the program and wants to open it.

Stages of development of the interface of mobile applications

The steps for creating an interface are clear and straightforward. They help you formulate objectives, set goals, and follow a plan. As a result, you get a high-quality application with a stylish and practical interface.

Concept creation

Initially, you need to determine what goals the application fulfills, tasks, and for whom it is created. Our specialists define the target audience, study the business niche and competition. Based on the collected data, a concept is formed that gives a clear idea of the ultimate goal. You need to see it already at the beginning of the project, otherwise you will have to redo a lot during the work.

Brainstorming and sketches

Based on the concept, the project is discussed, the first sketches, drawings and sketches are created. Visual support helps to improve vision and find problem areas. The tasks for UX design are also defined. At this stage of creating the interface, it is important to understand how the user will interact with the application. Selectable colors, shapes and styles.

Transition diagram

Each page of the application is worked through, a navigation diagram is created, allowing you to understand how the elements will be related to each other. In other words, it becomes clear what will happen if the user clicks on this or that button. This approach allows you to step by step paint each page and build application logic.

Choosing an interface style

A separate palette of corporate colors is created, a kind of brand book is formed, which helps to create the design and design of application interfaces.

Interface design: terms of reference

After collecting all the necessary information, statistics, development of the style and the number of pages, a technical task is created. In fact, this is a document that determines the future work of specialists. This is one of the most important steps in creating an interface. Developers and designers follow this document unswervingly. The number of edits and changes depends on the quality of the TK created. Therefore, we pay special attention to the development of this document.

Prototyping, design and demonstration

A prototype is developed, according to which the designer proceeds to a detailed drawing of each component. Particular attention is paid to UX design, which is responsible for the convenience of the arrangement of elements and their functionality. Each page is drawn with all the features. Basically, the application is completely created visually.

Refinement of the selected concept of application interface design

During negotiations, it often turns out that the planned functions are difficult to implement, or simply corrections and adjustments are made. This is a normal workflow, so it belongs to one of the stages of creating an interface. After developing the basic design, it becomes clear where mistakes were made and how the application can be improved. Therefore, changes are made even at the concept development stage. Sometimes it can change completely during development.

The popularity and relevance depend on the appearance and usability of the functions. The application can be as functional and powerful as you want, but if it is inconvenient, incomprehensible, then they will not use it.

5 rules for creating an application interface

1. Think like a user

Understand who your client is, who exactly will use the application, for what purposes the user will need it. If it is a sales tool, the main button will be Buy. If this is an informational application, easy navigation is the main element. It is important to understand the habits, hobbies, needs of the target audience.

2. Nothing superfluous

Do you know why you rarely see more than 3 car signs on the road at once? Because the driver will be confused and will not be able to navigate through them if there are more of them. The application interface is the same "road" with its own signs. It should be easy to understand. Nothing extra, just the important parts.

3. The context of use is important!

Where, when and how is the application used? What conditions have been created for this? A person does not always use a program in a laboratory setting. At home, in a comfortable environment, coziness and warmth. These are often stressful places. A bus in which there is constant shaking, a street where it is noisy and daylight blocks the brightness of the screen. Or vice versa, late night, bad weather. Consider where the application will be used. For example, a taxi service is often ordered on the street and not at home.

4. All interconnected elements are logically connected

Logic is the basis for comfortable user interaction with the application. Imagine if the stove was not in the kitchen. To add salt to a dish, one would have to go to another room for it, then return. In an application, all elements must be connected and logically connected. At the time of payment, let the user choose a payment and delivery method, rather than looking for it separately.

5. Hierarchy by importance

We always read from left to right. It is a habit. The placement of important elements on the left side of the application is a rule. It is directly related to habit. In the lower right corner are the least important items. Designers' creativity is incapable of fighting habit. It is important to observe the hierarchy of the arrangement of elements, then the application will be organic and convenient to use.

Conclusion

The mobile application interface design is a powerful tool on which the success of the program depends. No matter how cool the functionality is, if the interface is of poor quality, the user simply will not be able to appreciate all the possibilities. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the design and design of the interfaces of mobile applications. There are several rules that must be followed. There are laws of logic, features of human psychology that affect the arrangement of elements. When developing, you should consider many nuances, and then the interface will turn out to be effective. And we will help you with this.