PROBESEVEN A LAYMAN’S APPLICATION DESIGN APPROACH

A Layman’s Application Design Approach – Today, using a cloud or mobile application is common for both personal and business needs. Millions of people experience at least a new application every day. An application has to well balance the business process as well as a personal comfort. Either for a business or personal, the app should behave to boost one’s productivity. Here are a few tips to start working out your next app, the creative process of designing it.

Architecting an application is a craft. Do not hurry.

Being experienced in 20+ Custom Software Developments, UIs, Web Experiences, I will say, architecting an application and it’s UI is a craft. Many growing architects and UI designers have the habit of jumping into the design tools right from the first hour. Remember you need not to hurry in this process. You are a creator and creating something here. Give enough time to get inspired, visualize the experience. Simply put, just start dreaming about the application for few days and start slowly.

You will have to iterate for the features as the customers start using your app. It doesn’t need to be painful either. Believe me, it’s to become your art when you approach architecting the process step by step.

Get Inspired.

Get out of your design tools, you don’t need them at this stage. Inspiration has to be the first step before you dive into your application development. Watch some videos, interactive presentations of richly designed applications and websites. Watch how the big people have created their applications. It’s wise to get into some applications of your choice and use them.

Take screenshots, printouts of your inspiration features and stick to your walls. Use a mind mapping tool or a visual mood board to capture your thoughts when you plan your travel.

Wear the user’s shoes.

Get as a consumer and wear their shoes. You need not sound as a top engineer when you design your application, rather, think of creating the app for your own business. Sit beside your customer team and observe their everyday difficulties.

You will understand there are different views from the bottom level to top level team. It’s quite natural not a single app interface can fit all the user levels. Don’t get panic to think of different screen layouts for different user levels. Everyone will want their desks to be theirs. Think of the app to look minimal and interact with the user. Choose a style that is clean and simple to understand for the users.

Think the experience. Go Lazy.

Being a lazy boy can help you in bringing your application well as a productivity tool. You have to understand the customer business and think of doing stuff with minimal efforts.

A tip to help you could be, go beyond the app screens in your monitor and think about integrating some real world systems. You cannot re-model your customer`s workflow and don`t try doing it. Just try finding a solution to everyday problems and reduce your user`s time. Listen to your customers – you will get clues on what to integrate.

Carry a Sketchpad. Organize and Deliver to your team.

This one I thought to add for new bees. Do Paper Work before going digital. Carrying a sketchpad will be handy when you want to try an idea besides your coffee outside. Roughly draw the screens and annotate with notes.

When going with digital creations index the screens with chapter numbers and proper titles. Illustrate those important interactions and user flows of your application. Showcase your thoughts and get feedbacks from your team. Deliver the files to your team with clear instructions.

Ready to Iterate.

As like a famous saying, Rome was not built in a day, your application will take its time to be really useful to your customer. Keep the foundation stuff to build on and watch your releases being used by your customers. Ask them feedbacks and prioritize them. Plan your release and do not hesitate to expand your application as a platform for your customer’s everyday routine.

Believing this as a good stuff, if this post has invoked some different thoughts in you. Good luck with your next application design!