As we already know that in today’s digital age there is a growing demand of the mobile phones. Hence, it has also risen the market of mobile applications for android and iOS gradually. Apart from mobile application development the second most important element for mobile app is it’s design that ensures a great mobile user experience (UX). An effective mobile application design is very important for receiving positive feedback and experiences during the use of mobile devices and wearables. For a mobile application optimization the UX designer must have a comprehensive and positive approach to be able to look beyond the common principles of user flow, feedback, structure and visibility.

When you invest in the app designs it definitely enhances the user experience for your app. This enables you to save from making any unnecessary resources, time and money wastage. When there is an optimum utilization of resources and money it definitely delivers high end mobile applications that enables the users to interact with your app’s content. The app design only remains attractive and immersive when a market for the app is generated through a word of mouth. In the following blog, we shall discuss mobile applications, mobile application design, principle of designing mobile apps, steps to design mobile applications from scratch and finally concluding with rules of mobile app designs for better user experience.

What Are Mobile Applications?

A mobile application is a type of application software specifically designed to run on mobile device such as the smartphones or tablet computer. Mobile applications are created to serve the users with similar services to those accessed on PCs. These mobile applications are small in size with individual software units with limited function. A mobile application also may be known as an app, web app, online app, iPhone app or smartphone app. A mobile application or app is a computer program or a software that is designed to run on a mobile device such as phone or tablet. Any mobile application must be designed in such a way so that it is customer-centric that can generate seamless experience for the customers that can help in fulfilling the customer’s needs and expectations.

What Is Mobile Application Design?

Mobile application design is considered as very important for your app’s success as it ensures a great user experience. The app designers are solely responsible for how the whole app looks, app interface that results in app user experience. App design is an ongoing process that comprises of the user experience (UX) and user interface (UI). The style of app that includes things like color scheme, font selection, types of buttons and widgets the user shall use. The app designers in order to define solutions requires to create the app’s flow and structure and make informed choices and decisions starting from the fonts and color schemes. Mobile app design is done by the app designers which has a wide variety of uses that is unified due to the need for optimal usability, engagement, access and user experience. Mobile app design should be such so that it addresses all important concerns. A proper and extensive research is being conducted that results in highest application performance. The mobile application design includes the font size and style, colors and basic interface of the app. A mobile app performance decides the success of the app in the market that definitely depends upon the app design and interface.

Principle Of Designing Mobile Apps

1. Respect Platform
   When you are thinking to design a mobile application then you must know the platform where it is going to be promoted. When designing for native platforms you must consistently refer to native OS design guidelines first for maximum quality. The native platform guidelines constantly evolves that helps in staying at the top of these guidelines. Patterns and components needs to be decided for creating designs for the iOS and android mobile apps.
   
2. Focus on customer benefit
   Design patterns or process must be highly focused on the customers and their needs and demands. The application designs always needs to be customer-centric and unique in order to rightfully catering to the needs of the customers.
   
3. Think device first
   For designing a mobile application you must first think about the mobile. The native mobile device has many features like the voice, notifications, location tracking, accelerometer, touch, pressure etc. You need to design around the device, the platform and user experience. These device features must be utilized in your product.
   
4. Keep scalability in mind
   Scalability is one of the most important principle for designing mobile applications. Generating a high scalability across the devices is the biggest challenge for all the app designers. Conducting a proper research is very important to ensure scalability and performance of the apps. Such research can be made by surveying the users preferences of device interfaces and screen sizes and some set standards.

Steps To Design Mobile Applications From Scratch

1. User-Flow Diagram
   The first step for designing mobile application is to know that what exactly you want in your app. The features of app, ideas, design of a user-flow diagram needs to be created which shall represent the user’s journey through your app or website. A user flow diagram is made up of usually shapes like rectangles, diamonds and arrows. These shapes represent different elements and features of an app. User-flow diagram is used for representation of application’s functions. Figuring out features of the application is the initial step to design a mobile application.
   
2. Wireframes
   Once the user-flow diagrams is completed for each screen and designed user journeys then you can begin working on wireframing all the screens. Wireframes is a representation of how the app perform and shall look like. It is basically a rough sketch that shows that how app shall work. Such sketch or an outline is made where the images, buttons and labels will go.
   
3. Design Patterns and Color Palettes
   The next step is to decide the design patterns and color schemes or palettes from a whole lot of options. This is like shopping for your mobile application.
   
4. Mock-ups
   This is the final step where you finally need to use design software. A mock-up in the app design is the highest representation of your design. There are many designing tools and software for creating mock-ups. Mock-up is like visiting the app in the future and taking screenshots from it. This makes the application realistic and pretty. After your app look is created all the screens are completed and then import them into Xcode to begin coding the app.

Rules Of Mobile Application Designs For Great User Experience

• Provide Simple And Fast Navigation
  Navigation is the most important part of UX designs. Simple and easy navigation is the first rule for any app design as it ensures an increase in the number of users. Navigation feature allows you to move around the different screens easily and find desired items on app. To attract a large number of consumers to your app the navigation features of the app should be easy, simple, user friendly and smooth. An app shouldn’t be too heavy with all added on features so that it runs faster with speed and does not hamper the user experience. An informative screen tour can be put up in order to make it easy for the users to navigate.
  
• Reduce Clutter
  Reducing the clutter or making a clean interface of the app ensures a high performing application. the information or the content displayed on the screen must be minimalistic and simple which must be easily understandable with all it’s features. Minimum content or clutter on screen shall deliver the best user experience.
  
• Make Large Touch Area
  Ensure to control design sizes that are easy to use and handle and which are easier to tap using the thumb. The screen size must not be small as it would hamper the user experience. Only large touch screen promotes a great user experience.
  
• Display Large Text
  Displaying larger texts on the mobile screen makes it easier to read and understand.
  
• Take Care of Thumb Position
  Some tapping controls are provided at a place where users can easily tap them using the thumb. The design screen layout must have thumb friendly zones.
  
• Use Touch Controls
  There are many mobile controls that are available to be used for design. It is not a good idea to use simple web controls as it is difficult to interact with them on mobile.
  
• Simple App Design
  Every app user has certain expectations after downloading an application. The app design and layout must be simple with minimum features in the app. The app with a simple user interface and minimum design approach can deliver it’s best app performance.
  
• Design Consistent Experience
  If your site or app is present at both web and mobile it offers a consistent experience to the user. You can minimize your content on small devices by keeping the experience similar to other devices. An UI design must have consistency that ensures that the users shall be able to enjoy the app. Consistency in the app delivers a rich user experience. When there is a consistency in the app design it creates a trust on the part of the users on app.
  
• Incorporating Interactive Designs In App
  Incorporation of interactive, immersive and user-friendly designs in your app ensures an attractive interface for the app. Using the best designing tools and latest technology to deliver the best output or app.
  
• Search Feature Of Your App
  Updating search feature of the mobile app is very important as it makes the app functioning much better. Installing an in-app search engine makes the search feature quick and easy. An easy and simple navigation design will improve the usability of the app to the greater extent. Your app should be attractive enough to entice the users to the greatest extent.