Apple is the second largest vendor of mobile phones globally. Only Samsung managed to record more international shipments as of the first quarter of 2018. The popularity of the iPhone has made it a fan favorite. As more people are beginning to use the iPhone, app designers have made adjustments as well.
Any designer who would like to model an app for the iOS platform should take iOS app design seriously. We will look at how an iOS app designer can work to create a successful app. In addition, we will also describe some of the best practices in iPhone app designing.
Before we can explore all this, we need to know what makes a great iOS app and how it differs from an Android app. Here are things every designer should know before designing an app for iOS:
- A great app should have a great GUI (graphical user interface), which is basically what we see on the screen.
- Every app should provide a good user experience for the user which is a result of simple navigation.
- A great app should not lag, the loading speed should be as quick as possible.
- The iOS application should be functional.
- Make sure you take the stability of the application into account. This is because the user will definitely rely on it.
iOS vs. Android App Design
iOS and Android operating systems have come a long way and are both impressive. But, design-wise, there are several distinctions between the two. Let us look at the most notable ones so far:
- The name of an app created for the Android platform is also a link to the home. This concept of design is not used for iOS applications.
- The placement of the back button is also different. You will note that iOS has placed it in the navigation. Android uses an arrow that points to the left or a tap at the top of the display.
- The global actions of iOS and Android are different as well. These actions are usually placed in the navigation bar for Android iOS and pay more attention to actions that are contextual.
- iPhone users can flip an on/off switch to change the feature selection while Android users have a checkbox.
- Another notable difference between iOS and Android is the list selection. The list selection of apple phones appears on a page while Android phones have it on an overlay.
These are some of the major differences every designer should know before creating an iOS application. Let’s now look at how you can create an application specifically for iOS.
5 Tips On How to Design an IOS App
If you are doing research and would like to know where to start and some other useful tips, here is a simple guideline to help you with the task. Let’s start with tip number one!
#1: Try to make the application as real as possible
A successful iOS has the ability to appear tangible to the user. The advantage of this quality is that it gets the attention of the users without having to be too flashy.
Designers should always keep in mind that they design for real people. The app will help individuals solve real-life problems; hence it should mimic a real-life object.
Every step of the designing process should look at the realism of the app. You should make sure of this from the get-go. Make sure even your wireframe has this component, which you will use in the development of the final product.
#2: Don’t ask for too much from the user
Some apps have certain information requirements before any individual can use them. This information is usually required by the app to create an account of some sort.
Although this is important for certain applications, try to stay away from applications that ask a lot of details from the user. An app of this nature will usually discourage a user from exploring it in the first place. It is advisable to create a simple tutorial to help users know how to work with your application.
Although simplicity can differ with the complexity of the application, it is always important to keep this in mind. Stay away from questioning the user!
#3: Pay attention to all the details when designing an app for iPhone
Every detail plays an important role in the functionality of your application. Look at the main components of your application. For example, how would you handle an animation component?
Make sure it is fluid and doesn’t have any glitches that can affect its performance. Test its performance several times before you can launch it.
Subtle details can make a big difference; they can influence how your app does on the general market. Try your best to look at each and every tool of your iOS app several times and make sure it is working efficiently.
#4: Every manipulation of the application should be rewarding to the user
Make sure you provide the best possible experience for your users. To do so, focus on your main ideas to make sure every gesture made on the application impresses the user in some way.
Basically, you are adding a purpose to the navigation, icons, and any other buttons you include on your application. The UI is an important part of the application, make sure you deliver.
#5: Make your application as simple as possible
Nowadays numerous apps aim to provide so many features for users. However, this does not mean they provide a good experience.
Having a lot of things on an application makes it complex and annoying to manipulate. Simplicity is a very important part of the design. When everything is said and done, users will be drawn to a simpler app because it has more to offer. So try to work with the features you already have. Try to improve them instead of adding more to your software.
6 Best Inspirations for Designing iOS Apps
A great designer knows that certain trends work well for their designs. In order to create some of the best iOS app design, you will have to look at other successful work. Here are some of the best iOS app design examples to get inspiration from:
1. Pandora
This application is a music app prototype. Like every music app, it aims at not only bringing the best quality of music to the listener but also beautiful visuals and color.
It provides a clean interface for all users and supports various genres. You can also easily find specific features, for example, the latest music, radio, and so on.
2. SoundCloud
This is another music app that has really taken design to new heights. It integrates a music player with a radio. Every single feature has been added to make the product more user-friendly. The interface is also very simple but rewarding.
3. Resy
This iPhone application is designed to assist users to find places they have not been to before. World’s best restaurants, using technology to imagine the future of hospitality. If you’re a person who loves dining out but hates hassling for reservations, download Resy now! Book sought-after seats at the best restaurants in 80 cities worldwide.
A user can easily find a place they want to visit just by making use of the frame interface. The app makes use of a red background where pictures appear clearer. It also enhances other visual content in the application.
4. Kitchen Stories
This app helps food lovers easily find cooking stories. It also helps individuals eat healthy food when at work, or running their business or company.
When we look at the design of this app, most of the attention is focused on the PSD images of the meals. This has been achieved with white and black backgrounds. The simple and clean interface works very well for the app.
5. Tinder
This is an app that is used for dating purposes. One of the best features is the use of amazing colors that make the application stand out. All the buttons, icons and frames are clean and well placed for the convenience of the user. Users can easily find matches as the application design functions pretty great. It has a colorful background and a trustworthy appearance.
6. Wish
Wish is an app that is mostly used by users who buy a variety of items, such as dresses, coats, or any of a 100 million other items.
Because this application is primarily designed for shopping users, its design has to reflect this as well. The choice of color was well thought out and all the products are well arranged to provide all the information including a picture of the product, its cost and so on.
Conclusion
The number of iPhone users will continue to rise. This means that iOS apps will always be in demand. As a designer, you should know the popular customs in design. This will help you create a product that efficiently provides the service you intend for the app users. We have looked at how you can make sure you create a great app on the iOS platform. Besides this, you have a list of some of the best practices in iOS app design.
At Fireart.Studio, we specialize in app design development and can help you hire an iOS app developer. We can provide the best possible service at a fair price. With our help, your iOS application will easily fit into the current iPhone market.
