UI app design is a key process in the development of a successful digital product. A good UI app can become the company’s face and create a brand that will attract customers from all over the world. Over the past years, through trial and error and curiosity, companies have come up with design processes that will ensure an app is built that will meet global standards. 

UI app design guidelines 

Before starting the actual UI app design, some basic guidelines must be understood to build an interactive and immersive UI for the app.

1. Structured design method

The ideas should be clear on achieving the desired UI design, and the same should be conveyed across the team members. The best design tool familiar to all the team members should avoid wasting time learning the tool. Every step has to be recorded and communicated to the entire team.  A sound feedback system must be installed to get the best out of every team member in interface design.

2. Design simplicity:

The user interface should be made simple and visually appealing for the user. The UI designer should make sure the user inputs the least number of details to get the desired results. A complex app is a less purchased app, so the design must be simple and attractive. 

3. Familiar user environment 

As there are thousands of apps, users will be accustomed to similar options and drive the user into an auto mode, which is a good sign for the app’s success. The UI app designer should make sure all the options are matching the standards of existing apps.   

4. Good feedback system

A sound feedback system will build trust among the users. The designer has to update any changes in the UI and, after receiving feedback from the user, make the necessary changes to the UI to keep the user interested in the continued interaction.

5. Less text and more visuals

Users interact more with the apps, which have UI filled with visual elements and fewer texts. The user interface with a lot of text will appear plain and uninteresting to the user.  The UI should be consistent, and all the features should engage the users effectively.

Steps to design UI for an app

1. Selection of user interface elements

The interface elements should be consistent with existing apps so that the users are not surprised when they start using them. Interface elements include,

1. Input controls: buttons, user fields, checkboxes, and voice recognition
2. Navigating components: swipes, search, tags, and icons
3. Information components: progress percentage and messaging.

2. Background and user recognition

Getting a clear context on what is the goal of building the app is very important. Finding out the target audience and creating user interfaces that will minimize extra steps so that the app is precise and will function effectively. 

3. Creating information architecture and navigation interface

Understanding the client requirements of the functions and the services achieved from the app is very important. The UI designer has to create information architecture in a precise manner, and the navigation interface should run through this architecture so that the app’s total functionality achieves the desired user interaction. 

4. Layout design 

The layout design should be orderly, with pages containing precise navigation points, texts, and graphic functions. All the requirements of the clients should be incorporated into the layout. 

5. Visual interface design

This is a very important step in UI design. This is what the user is going to see on the screen and interact with it. UI designer has to make sure the visual elements are as per industry standards. Visual elements include images, icons, company logos, style, color, fonts, buttons, and so on. Users engage more with a visually appealing app.  

6. Prototype design

Creating a working model of the actual product will help the designers to work on fixing the issues, edit texting, improve image quality and scaling, the sensitivity of the buttons, and get feedback to make improvements in future updates and get ideas for new products. Some of the tools used for prototyping are Sketch, Mockplus, AdobeXD, etc.,

7. Testing

To evaluate the usability of the UI design, testing and validating are very important. Checking the image quality, button sensitivities, missed functional requirements, and copyrights will help minimize defects. Benchmarking, observations, user survey, beta version release are some of the tools for testing.

Advantages of a good UI design 

1. Increases user traffic as it’s visually attractive.
2. Generates more positive feedback that can lead to more business.
3. Creates a brand value for the company that will increase its global presence.
4. Other companies will request UI design development services.
5. A loyal customer base will be generated.
6. High ROI (Returns on Investment for clients. 
7. The same UI can be modified and reused for future apps.
8. The clarity for the user with little to no confusion.
9. Designers will be motivated to work for even better UI designs. 

“A good user interface will put the user in a comfortable place”