Mobile app design for a beginner's guide

So, you've decided to try mobile app design, but you're not sure where to start . No worries, we've got you covered. In this member , we'll outline five things you Ask for to know to save get you started in mobile app design.

This guide is aimed at beginners to mobile app design. If you've previously got some skills, take a look at our roundup of tutorials that will walk you through distinctive aspects of how to make an app, in detail.

What is mobile app design?

To put it in very broad terms, app designers are in charge of making an app look good, while developers do it work correctly. Mobile app design encompasses both the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX). Designers are responsible for the overall style of the app, including things like the colour scheme, font selection, and the characters of buttons and widgets the user will use . So, where do you start? At the beginning.

Which platform should we design for?

Two mobile phonesAndroid or iOS?

Depending on your reasons for wanting to design mobile apps, you may previously know which platform you want to work with and why. But, if you're just starting out and you're not sure which is right for you, got for the one you're most familiar with.

If you're using an Android phone, design for Android. If you're using an iOS device, outset there. Alternatively, you could decide design for both, but it's best not to bite off more than you can chew – at least not in the beginning.

What tools should I use?

Photoshop, Adobe XD and Sketch logosPhotoshop, Adobe XD and Sketch are all strong contenders

Once you know what platform you're designing for, the next development is to select the right web design tools to get the job done. When it comes to designing mobile apps, the good news is that regardless of the platform, you can generally use the same tools for both.

Popular options for app design include Adobe Photoshop, Adobe XD, and Sketch. There are many, many more, but these are the heavy hitters in the industry. Sign up for Adobe Creative Cloud here.

You might realize Photoshop is your best option for mobile app design – especially if you've used it for other types of design work – however when it comes to designing mobile apps, you're better off with Adobe XD or Sketch. That said, Sketch is considered the de facto standard here, even if Adobe XD is putting in some strong competition, having recently added design systems.

One of the biggest reasons for using Adobe XD or Sketch over something like Photoshop is that these two tools are built with designing and prototyping in mind. They save streamline your design workflows and are targeted at UI and UX designers, whereas Photoshop is more for image manipulation.

One important note here: If you're planning on cross-platform step or help , Adobe XD is the clear winner here as Sketch is only available on macOS.