7 Tips to Enhance Mobile Interactions
The
quality of mobile design can be measured simply. When the process of
usage is so smooth and effortless that people don’t even think about it,
it is the sign of the professional design work. On the other hand, if
there are some problems in the interaction system, users will definitely
notice them and won’t be pleased about it.
Mobile
apps are expected to be clear and easy to operate so that they could be
effectively used anytime and anyplace. Designers’ task is to create an
intuitive interface which will guide users within the app helping them
operate its functionality without problems. In this article, we describe
the essential aspects of the effective mobile interaction system along
with the tips helping designers to create intuitive design.
Increase learnability
Every
designer strives at creating a unique product with original
interactions and navigation systems. Such an approach allows standing
out a crowd and being noticeable on the market. However, creating
absolutely new environment designers have to think how users will adjust
to it.
If
the interaction system of a mobile application has no logic and
sequence or it doesn’t respond to needs of the target audience, it may
be frustrating and annoying. That condition is critical for UX, so
people will simply give up on trying to decipher an app and quit it.
To avoid this kind of outcome, designers need to care about learnability of the interactive elements. Learnability
stands for how easy tasks can be attained during the first usage and
how quickly users learn from the previous experience. To increase
learnability, designers need to keep it simple and clear helping
quickly adjust to it. Also, the system should be consistent and logical
so that users could identify the repeating patterns and use a mobile app
intuitively.
Consider multiple holds
We
all are different in many ways, even how we hold smartphones. The way
of holding smartphones depends on various factors including the
situation and conditions in which the app is used as well as the task we
need to accomplish.
There
are three common types of holding a mobile. The first is when we take
it with one hand and navigate it with a thumb. Another way is to hold a
smartphone in one hand and interact with it with the forefinger of the
other hand. Also, the type which is common for chatting people is
holding a phone in two hands using both thumbs for actions. Of course,
there are other types of holds but these three are thought to be the
most common.
Considering
this fact, designers have to figure out if the layout elements placed
effectively for different holds. One-handed hold requires special
attention since it has the most limited space of reach. To make the
interaction process within a mobile app effortless it may be a good idea
to put the key components at the bottom of the screen so that users
would be able to reach tap areas easily. In addition, the interactive
elements should be big enough so there would be no chance for a mistap.
Apply recognition patterns
When
a new app can be used intuitively it means that the designer did a good
job. To provide intuitive interactions, UI design has to contain
recognition patterns. They are the elements which users are already
familiar with and those which give slight hints on how an app works. The
thing is that using an application we are expecting to see certain
things associated with the definite kind of product. For example,
working with e-commerce apps we are used to seeing cart icons along with
CTA buttons “Buy”. Familiar elements in a new app make people feel more
confident in their actions.
Users
become accustomed to things quickly and their absence makes them feel
uncomfortable. That’s why, if you plan to use custom interactive
elements, don’t forget to add some standard components. This way a new
application won’t overwhelm with an absolutely unfamiliar environment
and will help to learn quickly.
Make a clean UI
A
big pitfall of mobile UI design is small screens of the devices.
Designers have to figure out how to include all content in a short space
without turning user interface into clutter. Clean UI design helps
effectively interact with a product since all the core elements can be
easily reached.
To
create neat mobile UI it is recommended to use icons as interactive
components. Copy elements often can be too big for the small screen, so
icons are a sufficient alternative. They can explain a function
visualizing it with simple shapes and it helps to save the space on the
screen. However, during usability testing, it should be thoroughly
checked if the icons are perceived appropriately and transfer the right
message.
Decrease the number of actions
Probably,
many of us have the experience of using an annoying mobile app which
made us take a long way before we could finally accomplish the task. It
may often be caused by ineffective interaction system which employs too
many actions and the unnecessary functionality.
Mobile
apps usually serve as problem-solving assistants, so it’s vital for
them to be designed ergonomically. It means that designers have to apply
only core functional elements which will get the users right to the
point they needed. Minimum of actions won’t make your product look
primitive. It will help a mobile app be effective and pleasing in usage.
Remember that people mostly rate the quality of an application not by
extraordinary features but how helpful it is.
Add game mechanics
Based
on the facts described above, we can say that an effective mobile
interaction system should be simple and clear to use so that it could be
operated without problems.
However,
simplifying the interface it’s vital not make it boring. Apps which
seem ordinary have fewer chances to gain users’ attention. That’s why
it’s important to bring some emotional aspects into applications that
look standard at the first glance.
To
make the process interesting and catchy, it may be a good idea to use
gamification. It is the technique of exerting game mechanics into the
non-game environment like mobile applications. Various challenges and
leaderboards along with the awards and stickers motivate users to
interact with a product more and come back to it constantly.
What’s
more, implementing a game mechanic called a user journey is an
effective way to create clear layout and transitions. A journey is
user’s progression stages at the time of usage. Designers create UX that
way so that people could go step-by-step through the various features
which gradually change depending on needs of the target audience. An
approach helps to avoid problems with incomprehensible interactions and
functions.
Last
but not least, gamification adds the element of fun. Users enjoy
entertainment, challenges, and competitive spirit similar to video
games, so they are encouraged to go back. People always need some kind
of recreational activity so that they could escape from everyday routine
for a bit. By adding the fun element into a casual application, you
help to reduce some stress and relax for a moment.
Don’t forget about testing
Mobile
interaction design aims at creating a user-friendly product which will
be pleasant to use under different circumstances. But how can a designer
define if an app is usable enough and distinguish possible problems in
UX? This is when usability testing comes into play.
Usability
testing is an essential stage in creating mobile apps helping to
evaluate it by testing on the potential audience. It is usually
conducted at the UX building stage before a project goes to the
development team so that inefficient solutions could be changed easier
and faster.
Various
usability testing methods allow identifying problems and bugs and
quickly eliminate them. This way designers can improve all the aspects
of UX ensuring user satisfaction.
So,
before you deliver a project to the development team remember to handle
testing. Test it by yourself, on your colleagues, on the potential
users and then you’ll get the desired outcome.
A
simple mobile interaction system is not that easy to create. It
requires hard work, concentration and lots of practice before you
receive sufficient results. Stay tuned!
