Best App Design: Tips For Award Winning Apps

When you glimpse at the apps that have hit thousands if not millions of downloads (and brag thousands of happy reviews!), you might wonder: is there an ‘it’ element they all share? Among others, whether an app has a high download and retention rate comes down to excellent app design. I.e., certain UI/UX design codes can keep users coming back for more.

What is App Design, and How Does it Matter?

For most users, design is everything. This is because most users don’t have comprehensive technical knowledge or don’t know what goes on behind the stages of an application, from servers, frameworks, and so on. They usually go for an application that will crack their problems while being demanding at the same time. This is why designers and developers take on the tough mission of offsetting tackling these users’ issues while also making an aesthetically pleasing application that could demand to all segments of users. This challenging mission is app design, which takes much time and effort to be executed efficiently. App design implies crafting everything affecting the look and feel of an application. App design also affects features, as designing an app includes building elements that could rightfully affect features and improve how they work.

The app design is divided into two main divisions, which are UI (user interface) and UX (user experience). Briefly, UX is the procedure of planning the whole journey of users and selecting elements that would contribute to a great experience. On the other hand, the UI is the performance and presentation of these factors that will achieve the perfect user experience.

How Does App Design Matter?

Now that we know about everything concerning app design definition and its two main components, some will ask a very important query: How does app design matter? This query has millions of solutions, as the best app design wouldn’t only have an impact on the people who interact with it but also on app designers, developers, and owners. So, let us get a glance of how making the best app design would help those parties.

Advantages for Users:

Efficient Task Completion

Careful planning decreases the number of steps needed to take out a task by optimizing user interactions. Quicker and more efficient processing of tasks is the result of optimized workflows made potential by aesthetically stunning app design, which in turn reduces user discontent.

Visual Delight and Engagement

Animations, transitions, and magnetic micro-interactions are examples of aesthetically attractive design elements that contribute to an interesting and entertaining experience. These slight visual cues improve the user experience by engaging and guiding users through the app’s features.

Consistent Brand Experience

The shades, fonts, and visual elements of a well-designed app harmoniously define the brand’s uniqueness. When users see the same design elements throughout the app, it makes them feel comfy and confident, which is in line with their views of the brand.

Benefits for Designers and Owners

Increased Recognition and Portfolio Enhancement

Apps that are both aesthetically attractive and functionally superior are amazing portfolio pieces. When a designer’s work is shown in an attractive app, it continually gets noticed by other designers in the field. This, in turn, draws clients or job possibilities that are peeking for top-notch designers.

Streamlined Design Process

The design procedure is made easier when aesthetics are prioritized right from the beginning. Reduced work and boosted efficiency in the workflow are results of designers making educated decisions based on clear design objectives, well-defined visual styles, and an focus on user-centric design principles.

Creative Expression and Satisfaction

Designing visually appealing user interfaces is a source of tremendous satisfaction and fulfillment for designers. Making an engaging app design gives individuals the opportunity to express themselves creatively, try out new concepts, and play around with various visual aspects, which grows their confidence and makes them proud of their work.

Collaboration and Communication

Everyone involved—developers, designers, and stakeholders—can rally about an aesthetically attractive design. Having a graphic language with clear design elements helps team members communicate and comprehend each other better throughout the development procedure.

Breaking Down the Process of App Design

The procedure of app design is somewhat easy once you know all the essential and important steps that you need to undergo. Having proper knowledge of this procedure and what each step asks for will allow you have a seamless and more streamlined design approach. So, let’s start exploring!

Discover, Unravel

The first step of any app design strategy is discovery. Discovery is precisely what the name implies. Throughout this procedure, a designer has to do an extensive amount of research and discover all the new design practices and features, as well as competitors’ apps. This helps a designer make educated decisions and settle on an initial design and layout.

Shape Your User Experience

The second step after fixing on your initial form is to think about the user experience. As we stated earlier, the UX design approach is when designers plan the whole user journey. After discovery, designers begin to form a whole picture of the application. Shaping the UX includes what you like them to interact with first, how they would navigate, what matters they would get, and so on.

Put Your Elements for The Interface

The third step to getting the finest app design is designing the app UI. The UI design always comes after shaping the user experience. Well, how are you going to design the layout and decide on colors, menus, and so on without having an concept of how it would work?

Make It Real, Kind Of

The fourth step in developing your mobile app is prototyping. Prototyping in all its kinds, such as sketching, wireframes, or paper prototyping, allows designers see the result of their research, UI, and UX design in real life. This step is essential for pinpointing any weak points and cracking them immediately before settling on a final form or design

The Characteristics of The Best App Design (With Examples)

The best app designs share several key factors that collectively contribute to a seamless user experience and an aesthetically attractive interface. These characteristics encompass different aspects, ensuring the app meets user needs while aligning with business objectives. Here are the defining characteristics:

Clear Purpose and Functionality

In the absence of well-defined objectives, it is impossible to make an effective app. A top-notch app’s design makes its purpose crystal clear. The interface and all of its features are instantly apparent to users. There isn’t any unnecessary complexness or clutter because every feature is there for a specific explanation. An instance of an app that shows clear intent and functionality is Google Maps. Google Maps drifts away from overly complex designs that may overshadow functionality. Google Maps Makes a perfect harmony between functions and shows their clear purpose through app design

Intuitive Navigation and Information Architecture

Optimal app design makes use of clear and easy-to-understand navigation to guide users effortlessly from one area to another. A well-planned data structure makes sure that data is formatted in a manner that people can easily discover what they’re looking for. When we mention the best app design with intuitive navigation, we have to give Twitter much credit. Twitter is one of the apps that has an progressive and clear navigation structure. Twitter prioritizes easy navigation for an enhanced experience where users can access every bit of content and discover it seamlessly.

Responsive and Adaptive Design

It is necessary to have app designs that can easily change to different screen sizes and devices. The layout and functionality are consistent and readily accessible across all devices, including smartphones, tablets, and those with various orientations. Speaking of responsive and adaptive design, Netflix is the best sample of responsive app design. Netflix transformed the game of uniform experiences across all devices. The application can easily adjust to any screen size, device needs, and so on. This ensures providing users with a standard and responsive design, no matter what.

Visual Appeal and Aesthetics

Aesthetically attractive designs are visually captivating because they harmoniously integrate font, graphics, shades, and whitespace. Not only do visual elements enhance the app’s usefulness, but they also make it look more welcoming and enjoyable. Flo is the best app design that achieves visual charm and aesthetics in addition to great functionality. Flo is a women’s health and period-tracking app that is supposed to be an all-in-one tool for women’s health. The app highlights its main roles with proper and appealing visuals that mirror femininity and convey the app’s missions and emotions.

What’s Your Example of Great App Design?

What makes an app amazing goes beyond responsive app design. Among others, it involves clarity of use, which permits users to quickly fulfill their goals, minimalistic design that isn’t overwhelming, and prioritizing function over form. Feel free to encourage yourself with our list while creating your mobile app.

It’s your turn now. There are no limitations to what you can make if you put your mind to it.