UI And UX Design: What Is Important When Developing a Mobile Application?

The success of a mobile app largely depends on the quality of UX and UI. UI and UX design determine how convenient, pleasant, and effective users interact with the product. However, creating a truly successful app requires understanding which UI and UX elements are most important, as well as how these aspects interact with each other. In this article, we will analyze the key principles that should be taken into account when developing UX and UI for a successful app. They can be used at the stage of cooperation with an application development service provider, for example, with Implex.

What Is The Difference Between UI And UX Design For Apps?

UX implies the creation of a smart interface for a mobile application. UX design addresses the issues of application functionality and its convenience for users (screen navigation, need for a particular functionality, impressions of the application).

UI design provides for the visual component of the application. This is how the application looks (color, shape, size, and location of elements). The key task in developing UI is to help the user comfortably interact with the mobile service. The UI designer has a wide range of tools (graphics and typography, animation, audio, and video to create an effective application design).

Developing a quality app is not much different from creating websites, but iOS and Android smartphones have their features:

1. Screen size.

Smartphones have much smaller screens than computers, which limits the number of UI elements. Navigation is extremely simple, text is minimal. Only priority components are selected for mobile design.

2. Touch control.

Touch control dictates its own rules. For example, clickable elements should be noticeable and large enough to be hit with a finger the first time.

3. Performance.

If the files are too heavy, they slow down the app. But a modern app must be fast. Users are the first to abandon slow apps.

4. Places of interaction.

A computer is something that is used at home, in the office, or at most an Internet cafe. A user can use a smartphone anywhere in the world, with different conditions, speeds, and quality of the Internet. The development of the app design should take this into account in order to meet the needs of users whenever and wherever.

Stages of Mobile Design Development

The following stages are usually used by most app and web software development agencies:

1. Studying the specifics of the business. The key question is: what tasks should the application solve for the company? Why is it being created and how will it help achieve business goals and certain marketing indicators?

2. Research of the target audience. Who are we developing for? The age, gender, lifestyle, and habits of the users that the product will be targeted at are important. For example, in applications where the main target audience is women, the buttons can be made smaller in size, while in services for men, the elements should be larger for comfortable interaction.

3. Competitor analysis. It is carried out in order to identify their weaknesses and find opportunities to improve your own project. You can study best practice examples on the market and highlight an unoccupied niche.

4. Development of architecture and navigation. Based on all the analytical data, the information and navigation architecture of the application are created. Elements and screens, main functions, user scenarios — all this is visualized in a low-detail prototype.

5. UX design. The designer defines the path of the average user, which is a tree with branches-scenarios (filling out a profile, contacting support, ordering, paying, feedback, etc.). Each branch leads to a target action.

6. Visual design. Here the interface appearance becomes real, that is, future pages and elements are drawn in a single style, and adaptive versions for iOS and Android are created.

7. Usability testing. After approval, the interface is assessed by several parameters: how quickly the target action is performed, and how convenient it is to use the product.

8. Development. Next, a UI kit is assembled. This is a document that specifies all the fonts, corporate colors, shapes, elements, icon sizes, and text styles. This technical task is sent to the developer, but the designers’ work does not end there. After the finished application is posted and feedback from users is received, designers can make edits, refine, and improve the product.

Are UI And UX Requirements Included In The App’s Technical Specifications?

A technical task is a document with a list of requirements for a future mobile application.  Typically, a technical task for the development of a mobile application includes the following sections: glossary, general information, functions, system requirements, interface, and implementation schedule. Let’s consider each of them in more detail:

1. Glossary.

This is the shortest part of the document, which helps the client and IT studio specialists speak the same language. This section explains complex technical terms. For example, what is a framework, API, server, etc.

2. General information.

Here is all the information on the client’s business, its audience, and the goals of creating the program. 

3. Functions.

This section does not simply describe the capabilities of the future application. The functions must be developed from the user’s point of view. Often the team thinks through user stories or user scenarios. These are all possible situations in which a person can use the program.

Platform requirements

This part is devoted to technical issues. It includes complete information on the platform:

• OS compatibility;
• Architecture;
• Security;
• Integrations;
• Server.

4. Interface requirements.

Everything related to the visible part of the application is described here. Sometimes developers attach screen wireframes to the document. If they are not yet available, the interface must be described in words. The technical specifications must contain information on almost every screen: registration, authorization, main screen, menu, and user profile.

5. Execution schedule.

The terms of reference also specify the project implementation deadlines. The IT studio can include approximate dates for the implementation of the MVP or a full-fledged application with all the functions, as well as indicate the deadlines for each stage of development.

Final Thoughts

UI and UX design play a critical role in the development of a mobile application, determining its competitiveness in the market. Convenience, intuitiveness, and aesthetics of the interface are not just details, but key factors influencing user satisfaction. Working out the interaction between UI and UX allows you to create products that not only solve user problems but also make them want to come back again. If you want to develop a high-quality application and are looking for a reliable provider of iOS and Android development services, we recommend paying attention to Implex software development company.

Joshua White is a passionate and experienced website article writer with a keen eye for detail and a knack for crafting engaging content. With a background in journalism and digital marketing, Joshua brings a unique perspective to his writing, ensuring that each piece resonates with readers. His dedication to delivering high-quality, informative, and captivating articles has earned him a reputation for excellence in the industry. When he’s not writing, Joshua enjoys exploring new topics and staying up-to-date with the latest trends in content creation.