A user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing application is essential for success in the extremely competitive industry of app development. It is impossible to exaggerate the value of relevant design because it may greatly improve user experience and encourage brand loyalty. In contrast, a poorly designed app may generate unfavorable comments and lose users’ interest, which could be detrimental to the app’s business and reputation.
In this article, we will discuss the relevance and advantages of redesign, consider popular examples, as well as describe the process of how to redesign an app.
Why Relevant Design is Important in App Development
The value of appropriate design in app development cannot be emphasized because it has a significant impact on the user experience. User engagement and retention can be increased by an intuitive, attractive, and user-friendly application. In contrast, a user-interface that is difficult to use or a distasteful design may make it difficult for a program to draw in and keep users.
Moreover, a well-designed application can establish brand recognition and set it apart from the competition. Users are more likely to remember and recommend an application that is both aesthetically pleasing and easy to use.
Factors Indicating an Application Needs a Redesign
Several factors can indicate that you should redesign an app. Here are some common ones:
Negative User Feedback: If users are frequently reporting bugs or complaining about the application’s design, it may be time for a redesign.
Low User Retention: If users are not returning to the application, it may be due to a poor user experience, which could be improved through a redesign.
Outdated Design: As design trends change, an application’s design may become outdated, leading to reduced user engagement.
New Features: As an application evolves, new features may need to be added, requiring a redesign to ensure the application remains user-friendly.
Successful App Redesign Examples
Instagram: The redesign of Instagram in 2016 proved to be a major success. The main goal of the redesign was to streamline the application’s interface and enhance its usability for users. The redesign also introduced a new logo and a new color scheme, which helped to modernize the application’s design.
Airbnb: In order to improve the user experience, a significant redesign of Airbnb was carried out in 2014. The main goals of the makeover were to streamline the booking process and enhance user search outcomes. A new logo and a distinctive color scheme were also included in the update, which made the application stand out from other apps.
Twitter: Twitter’s redesign in 2019 focused on improving the application’s user experience. The redesign introduced new features, such as an improved explore tab and a new dark mode, and simplified the application’s interface. The redesign helped to improve user engagement and retention.
Unsuccessful App Redesign Examples
While successful application redesigns can bring significant improvements to user experience, there have also been instances where redesigns have failed to resonate with users. Here are two examples of failed application redesigns and why they happened:
Snapchat: The goal of Snapchat’s redesign in 2018 was to make it more user-friendly and usable. Unfortunately, there was substantial user criticism of the change. The Stories feature was moved to a different tab as part of the makeover, making it challenging for users to locate and access the stories of their friends. The new design also made it more difficult to navigate the application, which frustrated users and reduced their interest in it. Because it neglected to take into consideration the users’ established preferences and habits, the redesign ultimately fell short of its stated objectives.
Skype: In order to modernize the application’s aesthetic and improve the user experience, Skype received a redesign in 2017. Unfortunately, consumers harshly criticized the change. Important functionality like the ability to delete contacts and send SMS messages were removed after the redesign. Furthermore, the new design made it difficult for users to access their contacts, which frustrated users and reduced their interest. Because it eliminated necessary functions and did not enhance the user experience overall, the redesign did not succeed in achieving its stated goals.
In both instances, the poor redesigns received unfavorable comments and saw a drop in user engagement because they neglected to consider the users’ habits, preferences, and essential features. These illustrations demonstrate how important it is to take user preferences and feedback into account while redesigning an application. A good redesign can result from ensuring that the changes are in line with user demands and preferences through user testing and feedback.
The Problems Redesigning Solves
Several problems can be solved in the process when designers decide to redesign an app, including:
Enhancing User Experience: A well-designed application is crucial because it may make users’ lives much easier by being more intuitive, user-friendly, and aesthetically pleasing. Users will find it simpler and more fun to utilize the program if any existing pain spots or design-related issues are addressed.
Boosting User Engagement: By improving an application’s visual appeal, usability, and engagement, redesigning it can also help to enhance user engagement. Applications that make using them simple and pleasurable are more likely to keep users on board and boost user engagement.
Staying Ahead of the Competition: A redesign can ensure that an application stays competitive by keeping up with design trends and incorporating new features that users are looking for. In today’s fast-paced world, an outdated application lacking in features may struggle to retain users and stay relevant in the market.
Addressing Technical Issues: A redesign can help to fix any technical issues or bugs that an application may have, improving its performance and reliability. By addressing any technical issues, users are more likely to trust and continue using the application.
Enhancing Branding and Differentiation: A redesign of an application may also aid in enhancing branding and differentiating it from competitors. A powerful brand image can be built with a well-designed application, standing out from rivals. A redesign can incorporate a new logo, color scheme, or visual elements that align with the brand’s identity, making it more recognizable and memorable to users.
The overall user experience, engagement, and competitiveness of an application can all be enhanced by redesigning it. This can help to tackle a number of issues.
The Process of Redesign
The steps of how to redesign an app can differ depending on the project’s specific needs and objectives. However, the following steps are typically involved in the application redesign process:
Define Goals and Objectives
The first step is to clearly define the goals and objectives of the project. This involves identifying the issues with the current design and outlining what the redesign should achieve.
Conduct User Research
Understanding the needs and preferences of the application’s users requires user research. This includes obtaining opinions and information using questionnaires, interviews, and usability tests.
Develop Design Concepts
Based on the insights gained from user research, design concepts are developed. These concepts should take into account the user’s needs, preferences, and behaviors and include ideas for layout, visual design, and functionality.
Create Wireframes and Prototypes
Wireframes and prototypes are created to test the proposed design concepts. Wireframes are a simple visual representation of the application’s structure, while prototypes are interactive versions of the design that can be tested and refined.
Refine and Test the Design
Based on user feedback, the wireframes and prototypes are evaluated and improved in order to address any problems or potential improvements. Iterative in nature, modifications in the design are made after each round of testing.
Develop the Final Design
The final design is produced after the initial one has been improved and tested. Including visual design components like color schemes, typography, and artwork falls under this category.
Implement and Launch the Redesign
The final design is implemented and launched, with user feedback continuously monitored to identify any issues or areas for further improvement.
The above listed process of how to redesign an app shows that redesign should be user-centered and emphasize the demands and preferences of the user. To make sure the design meets the needs of the user and accomplishes the project’s goals and objectives, it is critical to continuously test and iterate the design.
The Cost of Redesign
When developers redesign an app, the cost can be influenced by various factors, including the project scope, design complexity, team size and expertise, user research, technical requirements, and timeline.
Project Scope: The size of the project, including the quantity of screens, features, and necessary functionality, will significantly affect how much the redesign will cost. It’s likely that a bigger project with more complicated requirements will cost more money than a smaller one.
Design Complexity: Another element that may have an impact on the redesign’s cost is the design’s complexity. A more complex design will cost more than one with fewer custom images, animations, or interactions.
Team Size and Expertise: The size and experience of the team involved can also impact the cost of the redesign. A team with more experienced designers and developers may have a higher hourly rate, leading to higher overall costs.
User Research: User research, such as surveys and usability testing, is a critical part of the redesign process, but it can also add to the cost. Conducting user research requires additional resources and time, leading to increased costs.
Technical Requirements: The technical requirements of the application can also influence the cost of the redesign. If the redesign requires significant changes to the back-end infrastructure or integration with third-party tools, the cost may be higher.
Timeline: The timeline for the redesign can also impact the cost. Rushing the project may require additional resources, leading to higher costs.
In terms of what the cost of the redesign consists of, it typically includes the following:
- Design and development team salaries
- User research and testing costs
- Software tools and licenses
- Project management and coordination costs
- Testing and quality assurance costs
In general, if you want to redesign an app, be ready that the cost of redesigning can be influenced by a variety of factors, such as project scope, design complexity, team size and expertise, user research, technical requirements, and timeline. It is crucial to take these factors into account and develop a budget that aligns with the project’s goals and objectives.
Conclusion
Application redesign is a crucial process for enhancing the user experience and ensuring the application stays competitive in a rapidly changing technological environment. A well-executed redesign can lead to better user engagement, a stronger brand image, and increased revenue for the business. Nevertheless, if you want to redesign an app, it is essential to take into account the factors that can affect the success and cost of the redesign, such as user research, design complexity, technical requirements, and timeline. By following a user-centered redesign process and collaborating with a proficient and experienced design and development team, businesses can effectively enhance their applications and stay ahead of the competition.
