Native App Design That Users Don't Uninstall

NNGroup research shows users form opinions about apps within 50 milliseconds. We design iOS and Android experiences that earn their spot on the home screen.

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Mobile App Design

Native mobile app design for iOS and Android that follows platform conventions and delivers experiences users want to keep.

What's Included

Everything you get with our Mobile App Design

Platform-Specific UI Design

Separate interface designs for iOS (Apple HIG) and Android (Material Design) that follow each platform's native conventions.

Interactive Prototyping

High-fidelity clickable prototypes that simulate real app behavior for user testing before development begins.

Component Design System

Reusable component library with states, variants, and specifications that developers can implement consistently.

Usability Testing

Real-device testing sessions with target users to identify friction points before they reach production.

Developer Handoff Package

Annotated designs with exact spacing, color values, typography specs, and interaction documentation.

How We Design Mobile Apps

User and Platform Research

We analyze your target audience's device distribution, interview existing users about pain points, and document the specific platform conventions (iOS HIG, Material Design) that your app must follow to feel native.

Information Architecture and Flow Mapping

We map every user journey through the app -- from onboarding through core tasks to edge cases -- identifying the minimum number of screens and taps needed for each flow.

Wireframing and Interaction Design

Low-fidelity wireframes establish layout, hierarchy, and navigation patterns. We test these with real users on actual devices to validate that flows feel intuitive before investing in visual design.

Visual Design and Prototyping

High-fidelity designs apply your brand identity within platform constraints. We build interactive prototypes that simulate real app behavior -- transitions, gestures, micro-interactions -- for final validation.

Usability Testing and Iteration

We run moderated testing sessions on both iOS and Android devices, capturing task completion rates and qualitative feedback. Designs are revised based on observed behavior, not opinions.

Developer Handoff and QA Support

We deliver annotated design files with component specifications, provide a design system library, and remain available during development to answer questions and review implementation fidelity.

Key Benefits

Users Feel at Home Immediately

By following iOS and Android platform conventions, the app behaves the way users already expect -- reducing the learning curve to near zero and making the experience feel instinctive rather than learned.

Higher Retention Through Reduced Friction

Native interaction patterns eliminate the small frustrations (unexpected gestures, unfamiliar navigation, janky animations) that cause users to abandon apps in the first session. Small friction reductions compound into significant retention gains.

Faster Development With Clear Specifications

Platform-specific design systems with documented components, states, and interactions give developers unambiguous implementation targets -- reducing back-and-forth and preventing the visual bugs that erode polish.

App Store Credibility

Both Apple and Google evaluate app quality during review. Apps with polished, platform-consistent design pass review faster, earn better editorial consideration, and generate higher ratings from users who recognize quality.

Research & Evidence

Backed by industry research and proven results

Fitness App Redesign Increased Daily Active Users by 47%

E-Commerce App Checkout Redesign Lifted Mobile Revenue 63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you design one interface or separate designs for iOS and Android?

We create separate designs for each platform. iOS and Android users have different muscle memory for navigation, gestures, and UI element placement. A single-design approach saves time upfront but costs you retention because the app feels 'off' on at least one platform. We design for each OS's conventions so the app feels native on both.

Can you work with our existing development team?

Yes. We provide developer-ready handoff packages with annotated screens, component specifications, spacing values, and interaction documentation. We use industry-standard tools (Figma) and stay available during implementation to review builds and answer questions about design intent.

How do you handle design for apps that need to work offline?

We design explicit offline states for every screen -- showing what content is cached, what requires connectivity, and providing clear feedback when the user attempts an action that needs a network connection. This prevents the confusion and frustration that causes users to close the app.

What if we are starting from scratch with no existing app?

We start with user research and competitive analysis to define the app's information architecture before touching any design tools. This means we understand who will use the app, what their primary tasks are, and what existing solutions they are comparing you against before we design a single screen.

Related Services

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Your App Has One Chance to Make a First Impression

Users decide in under 50 milliseconds. Let's make sure your app earns their attention.

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