App/Graphics Design Tips,Tricks & Warnings

Hi Guys  This is a guide on app design guidelines.This can be applied everywhere and not only app design. I have seen many apps that perform awesome but their UI scares people away! This won't be a very detailed guide, only basic pointers on UI Design.

First off i would like to say that User experience and functionality of the app is equally or more important than it's UI. There's no point in a app that has a awesome looking UI but is very laggy or lacks functionality.

Lets begin with a few tips :

• Try to make the UI simple and clean with no extra clutter.Hide extra functionality in menus. Keep the main function of the program in the front.
• Make the UI flat.Use subtle gradients and shadows. Don't make it too flat like the metro ui,in which you can't distinguish an icon from a button
• Use a specific color scheme. Select two to three lead colours. and select 1 or 2 background colours.
• Either make it dark themed, or light themed, don't mix the two!
• Use transitions. But not too fancy.
• Split your app into different parts and provide a easy way to navigate
• Fix Whatever you can behind the scenes
• Use short Phrases, No one wants to read too much to do a simple task!
• Use pastel colours or darker colours. ie. one shade lighter or darker than the original color.
• Have contrast between the text color and the background color, making it easier to read.

Tricks :

• Don't waste much time making animations. Use LayoutTransitions (android 3.0+)
• Test your apps on different screen sizes.
• Download the color swatches provided by google -click here
• Google is your friend. Go to developer.android.com for more guidelines, application fundamentals etc.
• Use good typography. Roboto and helvetica are some of the good fonts. Download roboto - click here
• Guide on Iconography - click here

Warnings! :

• Do not use harsh gradients! for eg.. black to white , It makes the app feel cheap.
• Try and stay away from putting ads
• Do not let the app make decisions for itself, let it ask the user!
• Do not make the app too colourful.
• Make sure it runs smooth without jitter.
• Don't put too much info. at once!
• Don't use too flashy colors that hurt the eye.