12 App Design Musts in 2024
The mobile app landscape is always evolving - if you want to reach the top charts you NEED to be staying ahead of the curve and embracing the latest design trends.
By taking multiple apps to six-figure install numbers, we’ve learned how to spot trends in the mobile app landscape that will help to create an app that captivates users’ attention and interest. Here are the top trends we’ve spotted looking ahead in 2024:
1.Embrace minimalism
In 2024, less is more. It’s time you decluttered your app's interface and focused on simplicity. By doing so, you can capitalise on the key features and user actions that drive engagement and retention. It’s important that new users are given a simplistic experience and the onboarding process is as seamless as possible.
A clean and minimalistic design not only looks sleek but also helps to enhance user experience by reducing cognitive load.
2. Prioritise accessibility
It’s time you prioritised accessibility and inclusivity for your mobile app. No more excuses.
Accessibility should be at the forefront of your design process; ensuring your app is accessible to users with disabilities by incorporating features like high contrast modes, voice control, and adjustable font sizes is critical, not only because it’s the right thing to do, but also for your app’s performance.
3. Integrate micro-interactions
Micro-interactions are the small transitions and animations that make an app feel alive.
From smooth transitions between screens to delightful feedback on button presses, these details help to create a polished and engaging experience for users.
4. Embrace Dark Mode
Dark mode is no longer a trend; it's a necessity.
A dark user interface not only does it reduce eye strain, but it also decreases battery drain on devices with OLED displays. If not by default, it’s recommended that app developers offer a toggle for users to seamlessly switch between light and dark modes.
5. Implement gesture controls
In 2024, users expect an intuitive and fluid experience. Incorporating gesture controls that go beyond the typical ‘back’ and ‘close’ gestures is key to a making navigation feel natural and effortless. This could be enabling gestures such as swiping, tapping and pinching that correspond with performing specific actions within the user interface. Some mobile applications take it a step further and allow customisable gestures that provide a personalised user experience.
6. Prioritise Performance
If you want to turn users away, slow loading times and lag is the way to do it.
Optimising your app for performance by minimising resource consumption, leveraging techniques such as lazy loading, and implementing efficient caching mechanisms is key to a seamless experience for users.
7. Focus on privacy and security
With the recent uptick in data breaches and privacy concerns, users are turning to companies and products that take the security of their data seriously. Practices such as robust encryption, transparent data policies, and secure authentication work to build trust.
8. Prioritise motion design
More than just eye candy, motion design is a powerful tool for guiding users through your mobile app. Motion design takes micro-interactions a step further, using thoughtful and more sophisticated animations and transitions to aid comprehension and create a cohesive experience for users.
9. Leverage AI and machine learning
Artificial intelligence and machine learning features can enhance various aspects of your app, from intelligent search and voice assistants to personalised recommendations. The major players have been using this technology for years, but recent developments have meant that such technology is more accessible to developers than ever. Embracing these technologies in some form is in most cases now a must to provide a tailored and efficient user experience.
10. Optimise for Foldable Devices
Foldable devices such as the Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold and Flip series are become more mainstream, and therefore it's becoming crucial to design apps that adapt seamlessly to these unique form factors. Ensure that your app can smoothly transition between the screen sizes and orientations required for such devices.
11. Design for Wearables
It’s not only folding devices that have seen a surge in popularity over recent years. With the rise of smartwatches such as the Apple Watch and other wearable devices such as the Meta Quest and Apple Vision Pro, it's increasingly essential to consider how your app integrates with these platforms.
Designing applications for entirely new operating systems isn’t a quick job, however with users often owning multiple devices, providing a seamless app experience between these devices is a valuable feature for users. Consider designing compact interfaces and leveraging the unique capabilities of wearables, such as haptic feedback and voice commands.
12. Incorporate Augmented Reality (AR)
We mentioned devices such as the Quest and Vision Pro, and it’s no secret - augmented reality (AR) is here to stay. AR devices are powerful tools, with entirely new interfaces that allow for revolutionary user experiences. From interactive product demos to virtual try-on features, there are likely countless ways that AR can elevate your app.
Stay ahead of the curve.
Twelve months from now this list will likely have evolved - it’s the responsibility of every team to stay ahead of the curve and embrace new trends in app design if the goal is to provide an intuitive, modern, and best–in-category user experience.
We must admit, there’s one more trend that we believe could shape app design in 2024. We haven’t listed it here today, but get in touch and we might let you in on the secret.