iOS app design involves developing the user interface (UI) for an application that will work on Apple devices. It includes iPads, iPhones, and other gadgets running on the iOS operating system.
A user interface includes graphical elements, menus, buttons, and other aspects that assist in conveying information to users. They can navigate seamlessly through an application with an exemplary user interface. Thus, the design goal is to craft a user-friendly interface that enables people to interact easily with the iOS app’s features.
While building a mobile app for Apple, the main focus should be ensuring a fabulous user experience. It is possible if the design is done the right way. Check out some valuable tips in this regard.
How to Design an App for iPhone and Improve User Experience?
Use Interactive UI Elements
Interactive elements can bring life to an application. Thus, it should be a part of the iOS application design strategy. Introducing interactivity in the form of icons, colors, or locations can highly interest users.
This example will clear doubts. An icon in an application can get a unique appeal with blue color. This is why most GPS-enabled or map-based applications tend to have blue-colored icons for ‘Directions’.
While using an iOS app, you will sometimes notice a border around a button. This highly-effective design strategy element helps users distinguish between buying the product and reading more about the same.
Provide an Engaging Welcome Experience
Users must get a clear description of the app’s purpose. They are then more likely to stay engaged with the application. Ensure a short and meaningful description. You must refrain from adding a long-winded marketing copy! Users should get enough information to understand the utility of the app. Thus, they can decide whether it is worth their time and energy.
There should also be a clear call-to-action (CTA) button. After a user gets convinced about the product or service’s effectiveness, the individual will sign up for it using credentials. Ensure that the user finds this process easy and quick. There should be no irrelevant steps in the visitor conversion process.
You wouldn’t want users to abandon their journeys just because they faced too many hassles and challenges in the middle.
Use Finger-Sized Tap Targets
Increasing the tappable area for every button is one of those aspects that can boost your iOS app’s usability. Remember, the design is intended for fingers and thumbs, not mouse cursors. Apple recommends a minimum dimension of 44x44px for elements users will interact with.
However, the button need not look that big visually. You can extend the tappable area of a CTA beyond its visual size. Thus, users will not find it hard to tap an element and do not have to try multiple times. Be careful if several buttons are close to each other in the application. You must ensure that the extended tappable area does not overlap with other buttons.
Create Wireframes
A wireframe is a basic layout of an app. It showcases the UI elements for the main app screens. Consider a wireframe as the initial design concept the team puts together before beginning to work on the project.
You can design a wireframe on a napkin or a piece of paper. The idea is to consider each element’s user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) aspects. These are critical components and go hand in hand while designing iPhone apps.
Several tools are ideal while designing wireframes for iPhone apps. You can try popular options like Balsamiq Wireframes, Photoshop, and Figma. So, how do wireframes help? They can vastly improve the brainstorming process.
Additionally, a business can save lots of time and money. This is because it can be easier to modify something while it is still an idea. Implementing changes later can be both exhausting and time-consuming.
Learn from the World’s Best Apps
An effective way to enhance the UX of an iOS app is to learn from the top applications in the world, like Headspace. It is the best example of an app illustrating multiple UX practices. You can apply them to any app development process.
Evaluating Headspace’s design can teach you about the best UX practices. Some of them are:
- Consistent design and branding – The app has consistent branding, which helps users feel familiar and comfortable with its interface.
- Easy navigation and clear hierarchy – Headspace has easy-to-use and intuitive navigation. Also, there is a clear and organized hierarchy of information. Thus, users can quickly and efficiently locate the desired information.
- Interactive animations – The app leverages animations to guide users through varied tasks and obtain their feedback. Thus, customers have fun and an interactive experience while using the application.
An engaging user experience is vital for any app’s success. Optimize your application’s UX design to boost experience and enjoy positive results. It includes increased user engagement, more retention, and higher sales.
Consider iOS Gesture Norms
Apple is unique in terms of gestures. Being a business owner, you must familiarize yourself with the common iOS gestures. This is because users expect some actions to generate particular results. Let me give an example. The person expects a specific outcome upon tapping a CTA button. Thus, you need not implement a “double-tap” on these buttons.
Users expect a different result when they double-tap on a button. It is a familiar iPhone gesture for zooms.
Also, ensure that the in-app gestures do not affect the system-wide iOS settings. Consider this example – some gestures automatically bring users back to the home screen. The control center is revealed if you swipe down from the top of the screen.
Thus, if your application does something uncommon or which is rarely seen, it can confuse users. You surely would not want them to feel frustrated.
Final Thoughts
These are some highly-effective iOS app design tips that you can use for your purpose. If all these seem difficult or you don’t know how to design an app, contacting a mobile app development company is the best option.
