Mobile app interface design never remains static. The app market is growing dramatically. Mobile devices are the main browsing device for many. But it’s not just the popularity of mobile apps that has grown. So too has the size and performance of the hardware. These improvements present designers with new opportunities, and new trends governing good design have emerged. Our designers follow these developments closely. Time then to revamp our very own BoekWijzer app, the app for lovers of Dutch literature!
Mobile app interface design
In 2014, nearly 60% of the population worldwide already owned a mobile phone. Forecasts show that this figure will continue to grow, reaching 67% by 2019. And as the use of smartphones and other mobile devices has increased, so too has the popularity of mobile apps. More and more people want access to information on the move, in a format that’s quick and easy to access. A major challenge for designers has been to design for this platform, creating user-friendly apps that are easy to browse, read and navigate.
Mobile apps are ever-increasing in popularity. This makes mobile app interface design the most important factor influencing design trends. Changes in the hardware itself also play their part. Modern phones are faster, and networks are faster. They have larger screens, and higher resolutions. This gives designers far more opportunities to display content. Space can be optimized and the size of featured images can be increased. But even with larger screen sizes, mobile apps still offer less working space than their desktop and laptop equivalents. One solution has been to hide functionality until it’s needed.
App development at BSL
BSL moves with the times. As the popularity of mobile apps has grown, BSL has become increasingly involved in the design and development of advanced mobile applications for iOS and Android. Often combined with online databases for the delivery of real-time content. Take Canon van Nederland app for instance, our educational app. Or DilemmaMatch, a unique social media app that helps you find out what the world thinks about issues that matter to you. And just as we keep an eye on new technology and customer requirements when designing our custom software solutions, we closely follow changing trends in the app market too. We’re always looking at ways we can improve our own apps, and the user experience – which is why we’ve decided it’s time to redesign BoekWijzer…
BSL’s BoekWijzer app
Designed and developed by BSL, BoekWijzer is a well-known phenomenon amongst Dutch readers. Linked to the most popular website for lovers of Dutch literature, Literatuurplein, users can search through the entire catalog of titles available in the Netherlands. The app gives them access to a wealth of literary information, from detailed information about titles and authors, to news about literary events and programs. Via the app, they can even order their favorite books from Bol.com.
We think it’s time for a Boekwijzer facelift! Using Material Design Guidelines, our designers have been working hard to create a fresh, modern interface. But it’s not just about design. Our new mobile app interface design will include a number of new features:
Just some of the changes planned for BoekWijzer…
- New-look screens, using primary colors and a paper-white background. This ‘freshens up’ the look of the app, and makes content easier to read.
- Colorful banner on each page, using larger book images/avatars and backgrounds. We use these to show the most recent news, or most recent book.
- Redesigned launch screen, showing the most recent news, books and author information.
- A new ‘Book of the Week’ feature- part of the Literatuurplein editorial content.
- New screen designs and layouts for tablet users.
- More whitespace (for larger screens). The new layouts have a less ‘busy’ look, and a more modern design
- A new sub-menu added to the ‘Popular’ category in ‘Books’. Choose best-selling titles on Bol.com by genre.
- Unused menus/options are ‘hidden’ during scrolling, creating more space for content.
- More compact search results, so more results in view.
- Alerts can be set in the radio/TV agenda, for programs you don’t want to miss.
BSL’s designers are making the finishing touches to the interface. As we couldn’t wait to show you our new design, we’re giving you a sneak preview here of what’s to come! We’ve a few ideas for other new features too. Podcasts, videos, interviews are all being planned for future releases.
More information
Mobile app interface design is just one of the services we can offer. If you want help with a design project, or you’re interested in the creation of an App based on content in your own website, CMS or database, then please get in touch. Or if you’d like to find out more about BSL’s custom-made solutions, then take a look at our portfolio pages.