According to a report, by the end of 2024, 184 billion mobile apps will be downloaded from the iOS App Store and Google Play.
However, if any part of a mobile App is undesirable or has a learning curve, users can always install a new App rather than continue with the imperfect product. The customer loses nothing when disposing of an app other than a few dollars, and that too comes with the caveat that only 4% of Apps on Google Play are paid. So how does one create a successful mobile app from scratch?
It is extremely challenging to create a simple and intuitive App without being repetitive. An App has to deliver a pleasing design yet have a strong focus on its user experience.
A large majority of Mobile Apps live and die in 90 days. For Apps to live past this mark, here are 9 Mobile App UI/UX design trends that will skyrocket in 2022-
Table of Contents
01. A Strong First Impression (Powerful Imagery)
As a rule, the first day of usage of an App is the most crucial period to appease a user. If anything in the app appears confusing or boring, users are quickly disinterested. Creating a proper balance is vital. In some cases, an onboarding process is required to discover the necessary features of the device being used. Unfortunately, this may bore users. On the flip side, without onboarding, an App might come across as confusing if it isn’t immediately intuitive. The goal of the best app design is to manage onboarding with minimal user input and Rapid introduction to the most exciting features as early as possible.
Mobile UI designers need to understand that users don’t have any waypoints to navigate its functionalities. Functionalities and waypoints that seem obvious to the development team might not be so for first-time users. Proper beta testing comes up as a solution enabling designers/developers to understand how users perceive an App.
02. Clear Purpose (Use-Cases Defined with Design)
Apps should be designed to solve problems, fill a niche, or offer a specific service rather than simply follow a trend. The Mobile apps design process should have clear intentions and purposes. The app’s purpose affects every step of its design and development, right from the wireframe format to the aesthetics of its buttons.
With a clear purpose, each piece of the app will function in tandem with the other as a whole.
The mobile app needs to communicate its vision and purpose clearly to potential users. A user needs to know how the app will improve life or provide enjoyment and comfort. Conveying an App’s purpose is essential both in the development phase and once it is in the hands of a user.
03. Optimized User Flow (Intuitive Navigation)
Designers/developers should thoroughly plan the app’s UX architecture before jumping into development and app designing. Even before the wireframing stage, the user flow should be properly mapped out while appreciating UX and necessary navigational logic within the app.
As a rule of thumb, designers should always keep the big picture in mind once the design process begins. The aesthetic of the app should evoke and reinforce user flow.
04. Streamlined Feature Sets (Feature Definition)
Overstuffing a mobile App with features can lead to a very disorienting experience. Moreover, an overloaded App would be difficult to market.
A solution presents itself in rigorous wireframing and prototyping, making the difference between what is necessary and what is excessive a lot clearer. A go-to strategy would be to present just a couple of core features and then test new additions in later releases to see what works for the end-user.
05. Clear App Context (Quick Access Screens)
Good mobile App design should consider the context of its usage.
E.g., a millennial user might find certain functions intuitive, while a retiree might find the same function confusing.
A brilliant example of contextual usage is the Uber App. Its interface can be used very quickly, making it perfect for users who wish to get from point A to point B as fast as possible. A lot of support content remains hidden inside the app, and only appears when the scenario that calls for it arises.
06. Engaging Notifications (Targeted Content)
Push notifications are a delicate balancing act of App design best practices. Too many notifications and the user will turn them off, risking the app’s mind space. Too few, and the same fate of being forgotten about occurs. Content plays a role too. Useful notifications such as a new message are perceived as helpful and necessary, while random updates and content serving that the user isn’t interested in are immediate turn-offs. The developer must understand that every notification is a micro-interaction, which forms the basis of how the user feels about the app.
07. Design/ Aesthetic consistency (Targeted Design)
An App should have a consistent UI/UX design throughout. Having a different design aesthetic for each new function or content within the app is not advisable. Even If the App’s design sets new standards, consistency is a must-have.
The app’s text should be properly formatted, and UI/UI elements should behave in a predictable, pleasing, and consistent way throughout the app. the developers and designers of the app should find a balance between existing visual language without being aesthetically stagnant.
08. Extensive Beta Testing (Test for Best)
A common mistake development/design teams make is conducting the beta testing of their App in-house. It is essential to bring in fresh perspectives to truly understand the need gaps in design and UX. This is one of the most crucial mobile app development stages.
Sending out beta testing ads and working with a select audience before going public with the app is advised. This way, designers/ developers can create required details and features, find what’s missing, and even remove excess baggage. Beta testing might be time-consuming, but it is still a lot better than creating an App that turns out to be a flop.
09. Simplistic App Design (Unconventional yet Attractive)
It is necessary to make App compositions more visually appealing, but every design element needs to add value to the overall UX. Minimalism is advised, and design should be carried out reductively.
There is no need to break conventions just to unnecessarily stand out from the crowd. Standard icons are intuitive and are often the quickest ways to provide the user with recognizable visual clues.
Conclusion
Design/development teams must recognize how competitive the mobile market is and must do whatever it takes to differentiate their app from the thousands of others occupying the same space.
Hire mobile app developers, given that such teams would have years of experience in creating Apps that are received well. An iterative design/development process that incorporates real user feedback is the best way to create an App that truly stands out from the crowd.
FAQs About Mobile App UI/UX Design
User interface design is referred to as UI design. The graphical layout of a mobile app, web app, or website with which a user can interact is referred to as the UI. This can include anything like the buttons users press, the text they read, sliders, and so forth. When it comes to brand identification, design consistency across contact points, and matching the aesthetics of the target customer, user interface designs are crucial.
User experience design is referred to as UX design. The way a user interacts with a mobile app determines their experience with it. UX design is the process of developing products that give people better and more relevant experiences. When it comes to persuading customers to spend more time on your website or app, UX design is critical.
UI design is concerned with the appearance and operation of the product’s interface, whereas UX design is concerned with the whole feel of the experience.
