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Mobile app design is a challenging and creative process that requires careful planning, research, testing, and iteration. However, even the most experienced designers can make some common mistakes that can ruin the user experience and the app’s performance. In this article, we will discuss some of the most common mobile app design mistakes and how to avoid them.

1. Not following the platform guidelines

One of the first and most important steps in mobile app design is to follow the platform guidelines. Each platform, such as iOS, Android, or Windows, has its own design principles, patterns, and conventions that users are familiar with and expect to see in the apps they use. For example, iOS apps use a tab bar at the bottom for navigation, while Android apps use a navigation drawer on the left. If you ignore these guidelines, you risk confusing and frustrating your users, as well as violating the app store policies.

To avoid this mistake, you should always consult the official documentation and resources for the platform you are designing for, such as the iOS Human Interface Guidelines or the Material Design Guidelines. You should also use the native UI components and libraries provided by the platform, as they are optimized for performance, accessibility, and consistency.

2. Overloading the app with features

Another common mistake in mobile app design is to overload the app with features that are not essential or relevant to the core functionality and value proposition of the app. This can result in a cluttered and confusing interface, a steep learning curve, and a poor user retention rate. Users want apps that are simple, intuitive, and focused on solving their problems or fulfilling their needs.

To avoid this mistake, you should always follow the principle of minimalism in mobile app design. Minimalism means reducing the app to its essential elements and eliminating anything that is unnecessary or distracting. You should also apply the 80/20 rule, which states that 80% of the app’s value comes from 20% of its features. You should identify and prioritize the most important and frequently used features and make them easily accessible and prominent in the app.

3. Not considering the screen size and orientation

Mobile devices come in various shapes, sizes, and orientations, and your app should be able to adapt to them accordingly. One of the common mistakes in mobile app design is to design the app for a specific screen size or orientation and neglect the others. This can result in a poor user experience, such as cropped or distorted content, unreadable text, or inaccessible buttons.

To avoid this mistake, you should always design the app with a responsive layout that can adjust to different screen sizes and orientations. You should also use adaptive design techniques, such as breakpoints, grids, and media queries, to customize the app’s appearance and behavior for different devices and contexts. You should also test the app on various devices and simulators to ensure that it works well on all of them.

4. Not testing the app with real users

The final and perhaps the most crucial step in mobile app design is to test the app with real users. Testing the app with real users can help you validate your assumptions, identify usability issues, and gather feedback and insights that can help you improve the app. However, many designers skip or rush this step, either because they think they know what the users want or because they don’t have enough time or resources.

To avoid this mistake, you should always test the app with real users as early and as often as possible. You should use various methods and tools, such as user interviews, surveys, usability testing, analytics, and A/B testing, to collect qualitative and quantitative data from your users. You should also iterate and refine the app based on the user feedback and data.

Conclusion

Mobile app design is a complex and rewarding process that can make or break the success of your app. By avoiding these common mobile app design mistakes, you can create an app that is user-friendly, functional, and valuable. Remember to follow the platform guidelines, keep the app simple and focused, consider the screen size and orientation, and test the app with real users. By doing so, you can create an app that your users will love and use.