In today’s world, mobile applications are an essential tool for many businesses. However, it is not enough to have a functional application; it is also important that it has a good design. The app design is not only about making the application look good, but it must also properly structure all the functions and features of the app to achieve a satisfactory user experience.
What is an app?
Before delving into app design, it is important to understand what a mobile application is. In simple terms, an app is a tool designed to run on mobile devices and tablets. Mobile applications are often used instead of a responsive website or a progressive web app (PWA) when the user needs to access the device’s hardware components, such as the camera or geolocation.
Mobile applications are usually downloaded from app stores like Google Play or the App Store. These stores provide users the ability to download apps to meet a variety of needs, from communication and entertainment to productivity and learning.
What is app design?
The app design is an essential process to ensure the application is functional and attractive to users. It is a discipline that involves structuring the app’s navigation, defining visual guidelines, and creating a satisfying user experience.
In other words, mobile app design involves planning and designing every visual and functional element of the application. This includes everything from button placement to how information is displayed on the screen. App design also aims to ensure that the application is easy to use and provides an enjoyable user experience.
How to design an app?
The app design process can be divided into several phases. Below are the basic steps to create an attractive and functional application:
Study the target user: First, we must understand who the application is for. We need to know the users’ needs and preferences so the design can adapt to them.
Define the navigation map: In this phase, the structure of the application is defined, including future screens and the actions associated with them.
Develop different view versions: Multiple versions of the same view are created with different designs to begin defining the app’s user interface.
Validate the proof of concept: When the client validates the proof of concept, the rest of the views are designed, and the final navigation map is produced with the UX and UI applied.
Types of app design
Mobile app design is crucial for the success of any app. But what types of design exist for mobile applications? How do they differ, and what do they focus on?
One of the first distinctions we must make in mobile app design is between native applications and web apps.
Native applications
Native applications are those specifically designed for a single platform, either iOS or Android, and therefore must follow the style guidelines of each platform to adapt to its format and style.
Web apps
On the other hand, web apps are applications that run on mobile devices but require the device’s browser to function. Regarding design, although they adapt well to all devices, including tablets, they do not always offer the same usability as native app designs.
Hybrid applications
Another type of mobile app design is hybrid applications, also known as cross-platform apps. These applications use the same programming language for both platforms, allowing significant savings in development. However, they also have the disadvantage that the user may not get the same level of polish in appearance as native apps.
Advantages of having a mobile app
The advantages of mobile applications for businesses are many, including improved productivity, production quality, and communication between middle management and decision-makers, among others. Furthermore, the best mobile app designs are those that pay attention to small details to make the app truly attractive and easy to use. In this sense, it is important to work on the graphic line to make it suitable for all audiences.
Mobile app design is a crucial process for the success of any app. It is valuable to consider the different types of design and the advantages and disadvantages of each to adapt to the specific needs of each project. Additionally, design should focus on providing the best possible user experience and maintaining consistency with the company’s corporate image.
