Know How to Enhance Interaction Design for Mobile Apps

What is the first thing you take notice of when you open an application? Is it the design or the services it provides? For most of the people, it is the design that makes the app more humble and welcoming. The interaction design of the mobile app makes you want to use it for a bit longer. And your time spent on it is the only thing that matters to the owner of the application. As, the longer the user will stay, the chances of fulfilling the purpose of the mobile app will increase.

Introducing the mobile app with an interactive design is like taking a step towards perfection. The most though-out, creative, and yet highly functional app will keep the users engaged for life. On the other hand, an app with no motive or interaction with the user will simply get uninstalled.

Therefore, it is entirely necessary to have an interaction design that will increase the ingenuity, user-friendliness, and worth of the app. To attain these qualities, the designers need a long, peaceful period for drafting and implementing the best of their knowledge so as to create a fruitful app. Below are a few tips that are strongly recommended to obtain an intelligent mobile app.

Keep the User Engaged

The true potential of an app can be judged by the way it keeps its users engaged, and it can be done only when your app is user-friendly and intuitive. The reason behind giving your app an interaction design is that nowadays, app developer doesn’t have a privilege to offer a how-to-use manual or guide with it. Hence, the app must highlight the actions to help the user roam through the entire app with ease. Also, there must be some sort of directions that resolve the queries of the user.

Let Interactions Design the Platform

Most of the app developers tend to create an app for a particular platform and then try to re-create the same for the remaining operating systems, which in turn, reduces the cost of the other app development. However, they do not realize that all the operating systems feel and experience differently. Hence, the users, sometimes feel disconnected with the apps developed for the platform they are using. For example, a mobile app based on the Android platform with an intriguing visual strategy and interaction design might not gel along well with the iOS user on duplication.

Before developing a mobile app for multiple operating systems like Android, iOS or Windows, do remember that people have chosen a particular platform because its aesthetics are more soothing than others. For that reason, you need to research and scrutinize all the operating systems before presenting them with an app. Furthermore, make sure you are following the interaction design guidelines written for each individual platform.

Replace Text with Icons

As we all know that actions speak louder than words, then why use words so often. Texts are likely to cover more space, whereas a smart icon can simply define the way or purpose of the design. Just like introducing a pause or play button instead of displaying it in texts or putting a cross when an action is incomplete or a tick mark when an action is complete. So by using an icon, you are increasing the space on the screen plus making the lives of the users easier.

Be Precise

The mobile apps are pretty much the need of the time. Although they are quite informative and useful, every app doesn’t always make a difference. The reason being that the small screen doesn’t suffice to display all the relevant information at the same point of time. Plus, all the smart-phones don’t support multitasking which is a significant drawback for the apps.

Therefore, to fight these limitations you must speak to the point, and remove all the exaggerated material from the app. Keep it simple, no need to clutter or stuff things; the less the app displays, the more the user will see.  This makes the application more functional and user-friendly, plus the user feels like moving from one page to another.

Think of Your Audience

Never assume the size or knowledge of your audience. You never know who might feel like downloading your application and find it very useful or amusing. Therefore, do use icons in some form of directions or actions that will cater to any user from all age ranges and from any region. This will also help deal with people who only speak foreign languages as icons will help them understand the functions quickly. The problem behind translation is that it will increase the cost of developing an app.

Conclusion

The aim is to design an app that is simple and easy to understand and use. It needs to attract people, irrespective of the language barrier or age. To achieve that, a lot of testing and focus is required, which will ultimately bring returns once the app steps in to the market.

This guest post was written by Lim Hui Jien, a tech-savvy writer who is also interested in sharing his immense knowledge in the field of developing and designing. He has been generating similar content since 2006 when he also started seasonal freelancing. Today, he is a full time content writer, drafting amazing pieces for skylark.com.sg.