A mobile phone in hand, loaded with good battery power, useful apps and an internet connection and you are good to go, isn’t it? Perhaps, it is one of the most useful gifts technology has bestowed upon us and it has the answer to each of our queries. Having said that, it becomes imperative for the mobile developers to come up with a mobile design that is user friendly and convienent. While there is a plethora of mobile companies in the market, the design of your mobile application is what makes it stand apart in the crowd. The creator has the responsibility of creating a design which is easy to understand, easy to use and intuitive enough for the user to interact with.
1) Get inspiration from old examples – Android and Apple devices come up with new features every now and then. You can easily take inspiration from them. For example, for IOS6, Apple decided to make its applications seem realistic by borrowing from the real world. The icon for contats looked like a physical book. This technology is known as skeuomorphic deign and is one idea that can be injected in your device. Realistic icons are easy to locate and use.
2) Allow them to multitask -The user will not only use the app while working from the comfort of their office, but also while strolling in the park, shopping in the supermarket or during their daily commute. It is upto you to build it in such a way that they don’t succumb to the distractions and are able to efficiently deal with the task in hand too.
3) Build a prototype – Build a prototype and test it first with a select group of users. See if they like the way it has been built. Get feedback and try to improve rapidly.
4) User Interface: This is the way your design will interact with the users. It should appeal to them aesthetically and allow them to get hooked to their device. The job of UI is to focus on the graphic design aspect by understanding and considering the users.
5) User Experience: What does the user feel after interacting with your design? Are they satisfied or are they looking forward to a change? User experience contains all the elements of a user’s experience and interaction with your mobile design. It is the job of a good UX designer to conduct thorough research related to the target audience, the market, the specific industry, user’s need and other related aspects.
6) Icons: While buttons and toggles are integral and cannot be done away with, shadows and gradients are just as important. It is helpful for the user when they look attractive and appealing. Easy to use and convenient, they add to the display by a huge margin, thereby adding to the overall user experience.
You will be able to cater to your audience with the amalgamation of such suggestions and deliver a mobile design which both serves and intrigues the user.