How to Design an App in 2021? [7 Steps Guide]

More than 3 billion consumers use smart phones globally, and this figure will only go upwards. Hence, organizations and businesses are all turning their attention to mobile app development and app design to boost their brand awareness. Through ardent application design and development, businesses can target more conversions, boost sales revenue and generate business growth. Considering the number of users on various mobile devices such as wearables and tablets, mobile apps are worth all the more. So if you have a business and aim to facilitate significant growth, then application development is the way ahead.

If you are associated with mobile applications, then chances are you have been curious about the app-designing procedure. The problem is to figure out the starting point and how to go about it. Through this article, we intend to provide a simple guideline of 7 steps that explain the entire app design process.

7 Steps of mobile app design 

Mobile app designing isn’t as easy as it sounds. In fact, it’s a really complex process. You need to develop an application platform that resonates with your brand identity consistently. It also needs to associate with your website and encourage conversions from customers. We have assorted a straightforward seven-step guideline that aims to comprehensively inform you about app development.

1. Develop a concept

The first step while developing an app or anything for that matter is to conceptualize it thoroughly. Finalizing the overall concept is key to eventually start developing and designing it. The questions you need to answer are what objectives will your app achieve and how? This would help you draft a vision and gradually chalk out a plan. An iOS app development company creates projects backed by vision and design applications that cater to the market demands. When you conceptualize your app, you gain a project vision and understand the functionalities that you need to design.

2. Determine your income 

Unless you intend to design a mobile app just for the sake of it, you need to consider plans to monetize it. This means you need to think about how you can influence your money inflow through your mobile app. There are a number of common ways to monetize a mobile application in the present-day market. They are as follows.

• E-Commerce app platform.
• Paid downloads.
• Third-party In-app advertisements.
• In-app purchases and upgrades.

3. Draft the wireframe and user interface

Once you have finalized the app features, it’s time to focus on the user journey. Customers will go through a specific user journey within your app to achieve their required option. You need to design a wireframe and create a layout for that journey. You will have to take the help of a user experience designer who will collaborate with other field experts such as an information architect or a digital strategist. 

Furthermore, a wireframe is crucial in designing the perfect user experience your app will provide. Once the wireframe is approved and you have a finalized customer journey, it is time to design the interface. Add effective graphics and vibrant color to create appealing designs that enhance the user experience. Ensure that the user experience is a compelling and well-branded one. Creating an optimum user interface is paramount in designing a successful mobile app.

4. Incorporate dark mode app design

Now let’s come to the most significant aspect of app development, the design itself. One of the hottest trends in app design currently is designing in the dark mode. Many large global companies have incorporated this design trend successfully in their apps which goes to prove its relevance. Now, for the uninitiated, the dark mode app design offers a UI that displays dark surfaces amidst low background light. 

Besides, the dark mode has gained a lot of popularity as it provides users with two vital benefits. One, it reduces the amount of eye strain on the user. Moreover, they provide large savings on your phone battery as they deploy lesser amounts of light pixels. Of course, your app will also provide an option to switch to the light mode, which will be the default mode.

5. Use micro effects and animations

Animations never go out of trend. They modify over time but always stay relevant to the user. Small elements of animations attract users significantly and enhance their perception of the app. The aim is to make micro effects blend seamlessly with the app functionalities so that users barely realize it’s there. The natural usage of micro effects mixed with the UI makes it fascinating for users to use the app more often.  

6. Add Voice design

A recent survey revealed that voice designs would dominate the best app design sectors in the next decade. The trend has recently gained steam and looks pretty promising at the outset. The concept involves app development using speech recognition and plugins that read texts out loud. Integrating voice-based user interfaces are being used extensively by mobile app development company in all their apps. It has gained noticeable popularity in media, eCommerce, and news and sports app.

If you are thinking of designing mobile apps in any of these sectors incorporating voice designs is a mandate. It not only provides you an effective way to engage users but also adds a new flavor to the interface. It is not only a fancy design aspect but also a functional one for many users. Voice recognition enabled apps are gaining fast usability as they facilitate ease of use for users with visual impairment.

7. Chatbot integration

Digital communication has never been the same with the advent of chatbots. Chatbots have incepted the forum and enhanced digital communication significantly in the last few years. They have become largely advanced in the last few years, with advanced features making them simpler yet edgier. If we observe the most successful apps in recent years, they have all managed to integrate chatbots successfully. This has allowed them to improve customer support and enhance business as a whole. Chatbots are still a nascent concept and are developing at a rapid rate.

Moreover, with Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence algorithms opening newer doors for technology every other day, chatbots have a long way ahead. We should expect them to progress further and incorporate improved features in the coming years.

Conclusion

App development has progressed exponentially in the last five years, with an increasing number of mobile app development companies foraying into the industry. Consequently, it provides us with a great scope of learning app design and creating our own mobile apps. The aspects of application design could get a bit tricky if not executed properly. The above seven-step guideline provides vital tips that could make the entire process easier.

Guest article written by: Rushabh Patel is Founder and CEO of Siddhi InfoSoft, a mobile app development company focused on creating experiences that connect, perform & inspire. We believe in delivering perfect business solutions by adopting the latest.