10 Common Misconceptions About Mobile App Design
More than ever before, people are engaging with their mobile devices and mobile app design matter than ever. As of today, about 44.81% of the total world population owns a smartphone. This has grown from approximately 33.58% that it was in 2016.
According to Statista, the number of unique smartphone owners will be 5.86 billion by the end of 2020. Currently, the number is set at about 3.5 billion. A good percentage of smartphone owners spend valuable time using mobile apps.
By implication, more attention will have to be devoted to mobile app designs in the coming years. There’s a need to address common misconceptions about mobile app design in readiness for the mobile app boom.
1. If The Design is Good, Content Does Not Matter
First of all, content is king, and that should form the basis of your mobile app design. It’s not enough to have a mobile app design that is pleasing without a reason why the users should stay.
That’s why there are apps that are uninstalled after the first usage. While the design attracts, the lack of content deflects.
2. Impress The User With Numerous Features
Remember, too many cooks spoil the broth. That’s what happens when you decide to equip your mobile app with even features that the users will not need. Rather than impress the users, too many features are a source of distraction.
Stop thinking you can only engage the users with many features.
3. Complexity is a Bad Idea For Mobile App Designs
Of course, there is much beauty in simplicity. While you should be careful in avoiding creating mobile app designs with complex functionalities, you should also remember that there are intricate mobile app designs that still deliver excellently.
What is important is managing the complexity within the design without losing the end-users.
4. Database Folks Should Handle Content and API
This misconception is pervasive among UX designers. It’s important to state that they know their role goes beyond just the looks and aesthetics.
UX Designers should do more than just working on the looks. To arrive at a flawless mobile app, all hands must be on deck.
5. Mobile App Designs Must Be According to Guidelines
You must have heard that designers need to adhere to Apple and Google’s guidelines for mobile app designs. This is a box that is only made for those who are just starting mobile app design.
See the guidelines more like a set of recommendation than a constitution that you should abide by.
6. Users are Distracted, Horrifying, and Always in a Hurry
Enough talk about what an average user is capable of doing. It’s time you devote time to understanding your users. The distraction, horrifying, and hurrying tag of users will lead you to mobile app design for the wrong audience.
To avoid conflict, you’ll need to devote attention to understanding your end-users. Any action outside of this will make the mobile app design process chaotic.
7. The User and Designer Are Alike
This is beyond a misconception as it’s even played out in the mobile app design process. Rather than seek to understand the user, the designer considers themselves as the end-user.
Because you like a feature, layout, or color that does not translate to the users’ needs, don’t ever lose sight of whom you are designing for, and it’s not yourself.
8. Original Ideas Translate to Instant Success
Not to burst anyone’s bubbles, but this does not always apply. The reason why some mobile app does not exist is not that someone has not thought of it. It’s usually because it’s only exciting on paper but far from making any sense in functionalities.
You’ve got to look deeply into the value the features will be adding to the users before commissioning the design project.
9. There’s No Need For Cross-Platform Designs
Preferring one platform over another does not augur well when looked at from a business perspective. Just imagine that Samsung, Huawei, and Apple sold 71.9m, 59.1m, and 36.9m units in 2019.
Even with Android’s growth in the past year, you should not overlook iOS in your mobile app designs.
10. Mobile App Design is a One-Time Thing
If you’ve got long-term plans for your mobile app, then you need to stop approaching your mobile app design as a one-time affair. You need to focus on building a relationship with your users and understand their needs.
You can then respond to their needs by upgrading your mobile app design to be intuitive, responsive, and engaging enough.
Final Thoughts
Designing an app requires an enormous investment of time, effort, and resources. However, to get the best out of your mobile app designs, you’ll need to do away with these common misconceptions.
We’ll love to know the common mobile app design misconceptions you’ve come across.