Effective Design Tips for iPad App Designers

A large number of people are using iPads right now and it is a device being used to run thousands of different and new apps daily. Another fact is that the keyword iPad compatible is being searched very frequently by the users, pointing out at the importance which iPads hold in today’s world. This also is a news for app developers, which is why iPad compatible apps are being created everywhere around the world. Now when we look at it, there are a number of guidelines available for every designer to follow and tips which will make their work outstanding. However, there are some common pitfalls which a lot of designers face and the need to recognize and get over those problems is an important step in creating good apps. This article will deal with some awesome tips which will take you through iPad apps and what to keep in mind to design them better.

Go with Less of Instructions and More of Hints

Nobody likes to go back to instruction page again and again and when this happens with an app, it definitely is a turn off. Apps are supposed to be so user friendly that it is fun for the app user to figure out how the app is supposed to function. This is one of the major problems with app designers as they end up creating featured apps which are too complicated and are beyond the users to understand. The solution to this problem is to keep the instructions low and keep the number of hints high. You need to figure out places where a person will get stuck, with the help of user app tests, and then provide those places with a small hint to make things easier for them. Now it does not mean you provide a hint for every next thing. Remember, keep it less and keep it right and you’ll be good to go.

Be People Centric

You do not want to limit your app to a few users and your market could be wide ranging. To consider this you need to figure out what exactly do people want from your app and then make it in a way which satisfies their expectations with your idea and the app. Focusing on things which you would want in the app is not the best way to go about it and widening your perspective and target market can really help you with it. Consider your target market and try and see from the eyes of people who are completely unrelated to you and might use your apps. Research about these people and get into their basics. This will help you to know the range of people who would be interested in your app and would want to use it.

Display the Logger’s User ID

It has been found that in a number of cases, iPad has been an app which has been used my multiple users of the family and each of them has different accounts. By putting the Username on the tag, the user will be easily able to figure out if the account he is on is his own or not. This will cause less friction in the functioning of your app and keep users problem-free as well.

Keep the Gestures Minimalistic

Today the technology has made people smart and they know how to handle their stuff. Even kids can easily work and play on Android and Apple devices which clearly show how technology is a part of everyone’s life today. In this scenario providing your users with every little detail on how to go about it in an app is a silly thing to do and the same is the case with gestures. Gestures like tapping and sliding are something you do not want to use in excess as everyone is aware of how an iPad functions. A small tip saying ‘tap for more’ is enough and you do not need to explain how to go about it.

Say Yes to Free Space

If you design iPad apps on a regular basis then you would know how spaced out the app can be if you want though some apps require more images and options which will might make it look full. However, if it required updates on a daily basis you must foresee the need to keep a lot of free space available as if you keep adding stuff to an already full looking app, then it will be cluttered in no time, reducing the awesomeness of your app to great degrees. Also, if your app has a lot of images and content on it, then it might even break, which is a huge a problem.

Keep in Mind the Dynamic Content

IPad is a large screen, spaced out device and the way you put your dynamic content on it can really change how it will be seen. A number of people want dynamic content as apps which are loaded through the internet and real time web are more in demand. This means that you need to keep in mind the fact that there will be times when the internet connection wouldn’t be available and you need to figure out content which you will put forward for your users to be engaged with. Think of all these possibilities and keep them in mind while designing your app.

These few tips are important for a robust iPad app which will reach to more people and provide them with what they are looking for in an app.

Mini Belwal works with PixelCrayons, an IT consultancy company. PixelCrayons helps its partners meet their long-term goals, not just the short-term ones. With services such as Joomla, Wordpress, Drupal and Magento website development, the company aims at giving true value to the investment of its clients. You may also hire developers for android and iphone app development.