Insights

The Worst Advice We've Ever Heard About Mobile Design

When it comes to mobile design, not all advice is helpful. Here are some common but misleading tips we've heard:

  1. "Just Shrink Your Desktop Site." Mobile design requires thoughtful adaptation, not simply shrinking desktop interfaces.
  2. "Users Will Figure it Out." Intuitive navigation and clear instructions are critical; never assume users will automatically understand.
  3. "Design Once for All Platforms." Ignoring platform-specific guidelines can harm user experience and app performance.
  4. "Animations Always Improve UX." Overloading your app with animations can distract and frustrate users.
  5. "Accessibility is Optional." Accessibility isn't optional; it's essential for reaching and retaining a broader user base.
  6. "More Features Mean a Better App." A cluttered app confuses users—simplicity and clear purpose always outperform complexity.
  7. "You Don’t Need User Feedback." Ignoring feedback from real users leads to poor design decisions and low engagement.
  8. "Testing on Emulators is Enough." Testing must include real devices and real-world scenarios to identify practical usability issues.
  9. "Performance Isn’t a Design Concern." Performance directly impacts user satisfaction and engagement; design must prioritize responsiveness.
  10. "Once Released, Your Design is Finished." Successful mobile design requires ongoing improvement, iteration, and updates based on user feedback.

Avoiding these pitfalls will significantly enhance your mobile design outcomes.

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