6 Popular tips for designing a gorgeous user experience

Have you ever downloaded an application and found it "hard to use"? For most smartphone users, the answer is yes.

Interestingly, one application in every four mobile apps is "in the doghouse" after downloading.

If an application is able to attract a person to download and open it, it is almost certain that the application is not what they are looking for, or that it is simply too difficult to use.

The first reason is that it usually attracts the information you download, such as the description of the application, marketing materials, and so on. If you send the wrong signal, the information may need to be fine-tuned.

The second reason comes down to the user experience ...

So let's talk about the user experience.

What is the user experience? How can we improve the user experience and increase the number of users to achieve higher revenue?

There are a number of factors that determine the extent to which users are interested in your application.

First, let's talk about ...

　1. Design Smartphone applications

Image source: Chooake Wongwattanasilpa–tumblr

Today, there are a number of other factors that application developers need to focus on, in addition to the amount of application downloads.

The amount of downloads is important, but they don't explain everything.

"Tracking downloads are often just the first step in measuring the success of an application, and downloading statistics is often incomplete and exaggerates the facts." High load always looks ideal, but if these users never open the application or use a few times to discard it, then the higher load will become part of the highest loss rate. "--localystics Study

You can track the user experience in your application. Now there are a lot of out-of-the-box application analytics tools available for you to use. Before your application is logged into the App Store, we recommend that you insert such tools into your application.

We also suggest you read another article about the optimization of mobile phone software. This article describes the "micro-improvement" of screen design through A/b split test to improve your application's profitability (or user engagement).

　　2. What is the difference between user interface and user experience design?

Image source: Abzueedo–cosmin Apitanu

Until now, most application developers don't really understand the difference between user interface design and user experience design, so they tend to mix them up or turn them into a process.

It is important to understand the difference between the two, because both of them contribute to the entire development process in their own unique way.

If two processes are not separated, the result is often a poor user experience, which tends to lead to lower returns.

In essence, the UI (the English abbreviation of the user interface) is how users interact with applications or software. For example, when you look at images (images, text, buttons, and so on) on a smartphone screen, you are staring at the user interface.

The UI design should take into account all possible options and features so that users can interact with the software to the fullest extent. However, this is not in itself an integral science of intuitive design.

Simply putting all of the possible features of your application into the screen does not provide a good experience for the user. This is where user experience design comes in.

UX is an extension of the UI, a combination of art and science, designed to make it easier to use and fit perfectly.

　　3. How to make your application more intuitive?

Image source: Abzueedo–cosmin Apitanu

Indicative design:

To make an application intuitive, you can use a range of elements. One of the most important is indicative design. Maybe this name will explain everything.

An application can be indicated by any element or text that is used. Even a simple choice of words makes a big difference. For example, the use of "comments" rather than "publish" can have a significant impact on the user's understanding of a particular text.

By using different colors, shapes, text, buttons, action buttons, and so on, we want to be able to create an experience that leads users to react to the expected behavior.

When you first open an application, your users don't just know how to use your application for a while, and they are not sure if they need your application.

So your job is to make sure that your application is designed to guide and instruct by using colors, text, and icons, and to fully demonstrate the benefits of the application to the user.

Graphic: application Instagram design

Top Daniel's application development is like Instagram's design is a beautiful, intuitive experience. You can learn the creative ideas of such applications, or use them as a guide to good practice.

"We have been shamelessly stealing great ideas. "--Steve Jobs

Sense of familiarity:

Another important factor is the "sense of familiarity". Using the familiar icons, text, and button shapes will enhance the user experience, which eliminates the hassle of guessing the design uses.

Graphic: Application Fancy Design

Fancy uses features that many people are familiar with. Such a design can be dispensed with without unnecessary misunderstanding. Finally, the guided tour really doesn't need to be too unique. Clarity is the king.

Beautiful design:

Using the correct color or graphics in your design can also have a great impact on the user experience.

A beautiful design usually gets a higher degree of participation with ... An ugly application (sorry, the word is poor).

At the same time, you need to be careful not to sacrifice the indicative design and the intuition for the sake of elegance.

For example, audible is an application that designs "pretty". I was recommended to download the application one day. But after I opened the app, I couldn't find anything I wanted.

I can't find the registration section because it hides in the Settings page. I can't find the audio books I already have because they don't sync properly. I can't even find a search box to search for more online audio readings.

In other words, I was completely confused ...

Graphic: Application audible design

I spent 15 minutes (on my way to work) trying to figure out these designs and almost gave up. These are designed by a guy who knows a lot about apps.

In fact, just make some small adjustments can greatly improve the user experience.

Simple design:

This is a very powerful technique.

Simply put, simplicity is designed to simplify and remove distractions. By removing the options, text, and other elements that clutter the screen, we can make a clean and easy-to-use design.

"A messy work space is a description of your brain clutter. ”

　　4. How to develop an intuitive application design?

Source: Eddie lobanovskiy–dribble

The first thing you should think about when designing a screen is your target audience.

An application designed for people who are completely ignorant of technology usually requires a little more "guidance." Similarly, if you are developing applications for a wide range of users, you need to do the same. Because we have to take care of a lot of non tech users.

Divide the functionality/attributes of your application into the following categories:

1. Core function

2. Other popular options

3. Your goals (purchase in application, Facebook share, etc.)

4. Relative unpopular options (privacy settings, etc.)

Put the core functions (1) in the first priority and make sure they are in the most conspicuous place. Then design other popular options around (2).

Second, it's always right to use a popular navigation framework. Using the navigation framework of other applications that people are familiar with can make your application easier to use, such as Instagram.

After that, let your goal (3) be arranged around the core function. There are very few users looking for a Facebook share button or a store within the app, so you need to design these features very conveniently.

Finally, hide the relative unpopular option (4) in a place that doesn't matter, and don't let these options interfere with more important features.

　　5. User Scenarios

When you put all the screens together, running some user scenarios is a good way to test. The purpose of this test is to put your application design into a real scene.

For example, if you are developing a camera class application, taking a picture is one of the core functions (1).

Therefore, a particular user scenario might be a user opening the application from (a) to (b) taking a photo of the process, and each step in between.

Graphic: Windows Development Center

All scenarios unfold like this, it becomes easier to determine which features are less important, and then you can consider removing the feature, or simply moving it to a location that is less important on the screen. Can even be sent to another screen!

　6. User testing-a step that must not be less

Data Source: Youeye

At this point, we need to perform a user test that is often referred to as "absurd and a particularly large number of users."

Find testers of different ages, genders, interests, etc. to test your application. They can be 10 of your closest friends, girlfriends, family members and so on.

Let them give you all your ideas and opinions.

All the negative evaluations are meaningful. You don't need to hear "Oh, what a wonderful little idea" from an overly generous aunt. What you need is "your application sucks, because a ... Two... Three.... ”

The frustration of your users can be transformed into a rather constructive experience. So be sure to tell your testers very clearly that you need a lot of negative feedback.

Conclusion

User first. Fully consider the needs of your users when designing your application. The application is not only beautiful, but also practical.