Have you ever wondered how apps are designed for mobile user experience? They are mostly designed using App Design Tools.
With app design tools becoming more accessible than ever before businesses are taking advantage of this trend by designing their own apps or hiring developers to do so on their behalf.
Defining app design tools
App design tools are software programs that help developers and designers create interfaces for mobile apps, typically without requiring extensive coding knowledge.
These tools provide pre-made templates, icons, and assets that make designing an app simpler.
The program offers many features such as prototyping capabilities allowing users to test their app before final development stages begin.
App design tools make it easy for designers to bring their vision to life while providing a seamless experience for users.
They also come in various forms, from wireframing tools to prototyping software.
It allows designers to create mockups of their ideas and test them before building the actual app.
This process saves time and money by allowing developers to catch mistakes early on in the design process before they become costly errors.
Also, each tool has its own unique features such as vector editing or real-time collaboration that cater to different preferences.
These tools provide an array of features such as drag-and-drop interface builders, pre-built templates and components, coding capabilities, and testing and debugging functionalities.
Why are app design tools important for designers?
According to Statista, there were over 218 billion app downloads worldwide in 2020, and this number is expected to grow in the coming years.
Given the increasing importance of apps, it’s essential to create app designs that are visually appealing, user-friendly, and easy to navigate.
This is where app design tools come into play.
App design tools are software programs that enable designers to create and prototype app designs quickly and efficiently.
With the help of app design tools, designers can create high-quality designs that are optimized for different devices, including smartphones, tablets, and desktops.
By using these tools, designers can create designs that are tailored to their target audience, reflect their brand’s identity, and provide a seamless user experience.
One of the significant advantages of utilizing app design tools is that it enables designers to create prototypes quickly.
Prototyping is a crucial step in the app development process as it helps developers test their ideas before investing time and resources into building the final product.
App design tools also allow for customization, which means that designers can tailor their designs according to their unique requirements.
This flexibility ensures that the final product meets all specifications and provides users with an optimal experience.
Platform-specific app design tools: iOS Vs Android
| Feature | iOS App Design Tools | Android App Design Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Platform-specific UI | They are optimized for iOS platform-specific UI elements | These tools are optimized for Material Design guidelines and platform-specific UI elements |
| Visual Editor | Xcode Interface Builder and Storyboard | Android Studio Layout Editor |
| Vector Graphics Editor | Sketch and Adobe Illustrator | Adobe Illustrator and Inkscape |
| Design Guidelines | Human Interface Guidelines (HIG) | Material Design Guidelines |
| Gestures and Interactions | iOS design tools include support for iOS-specific gestures and interactions | Android design tools include support for Material Design interactions and gestures |
| Developer Tools Integration | Xcode includes integration with Apple’s developer tools and APIs | Android Studio includes integration with Google’s developer tools and APIs |
| Emulators | iOS simulator | Android Emulator and third-party emulators like Genymotion |
| Distribution | Apple Store | Google Play Store and third-party app stores |
10 Best App Design Tools for UX/UI Designers
App development is not a simple process, and designing an app requires considerable effort and skill.
In order to create a successful app design, designers need to have access to the right tools that will help them bring their ideas to life.
And here are some of the tools to help designers and developers take advantage of these tools.
1. Figma: Best App Design Tools for Designers
Figma is a web-based interface design tool that allows designers to collaborate with each other in real-time.
It’s an all-in-one solution for designing, prototyping, and testing user interfaces.
Figma has become increasingly popular among designers because of its ease of use, flexibility, and ability to work on any platform.
The application is cloud-based which means that users can access their designs from any device using the internet.
This feature makes it easier for teams to work together regardless of their location. With Figma, you don’t need to worry about version tracking as all changes are saved automatically in the cloud.
Another standout feature of Figma is its vector network technology which enables users to create complex shapes and objects easily and efficiently.
The app also integrates seamlessly with various third-party applications such as JIRA, Trello, Slack, and many more making collaboration even more streamlined.
2. Adobe XD
Adobe XD is a popular app design tool that allows designers to create, prototype, and share user experiences for websites and mobile applications.
It’s an all-in-one solution that streamlines the design process from start to finish.
Adobe XD is available for Windows, Mac OS, iOS, and Android platforms making it one of the most widely used app design tools in the industry.
The interface of Adobe XD is simple and intuitive with a wide range of features such as drag-and-drop functionality, vector-based graphics, responsive resize options, and more.
Designers can create wireframes, prototypes, or even complete designs by using various tools provided by Adobe XD.
The software also includes collaboration features that allow multiple users to work on the same file simultaneously.
With its extensive set of features catering to app development needs, Adobe XD has become an indispensable tool for modern-day designers.
3. Sketch: App Desing Tools for Beginners
Sketch app is an essential tool for designers who want to create stunning designs with ease.
The software boasts a variety of design tools that help professionals create intricate and visually pleasing designs.
With a user-friendly interface, Sketch has quickly become the go-to design tool for many graphic designers.
One of the most popular features of Sketch is its vector editing capabilities.
This allows users to create scalable graphics that can be resized without losing resolution or quality.
Sketch also offers a range of typography tools, including text styles and character styles, which allow designers to easily manage and apply consistent typography across their entire design project.
Another standout feature of Sketch is its plugin ecosystem.
Developers have created numerous plugins that extend the functionality of the software beyond what is available natively.
From prototyping tools to icon libraries, there are countless plugins available that make designing in Sketch even more efficient and enjoyable.
4. InVision
InVision is a web-based digital product design platform that helps designers create and collaborate on designs for their websites, mobile apps, and other digital projects.
It offers a range of tools that help designers to visualize the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) of their products.
InVision has become an essential tool for many digital product designers, allowing them to create high-quality designs faster and more efficiently than ever before.
One of the most significant advantages of InVision is its collaboration features.
With this tool, teams can work together on design projects in real-time, making it easier to share ideas and feedback as they go along.
InVision also allows you to easily manage project assets such as fonts, images, and logos with its cloud-based storage system, so everyone on the team can access them at their own time.
5. Marvel
This innovative platform is the go-to choice for designers around the world who want to bring their ideas to life.
With its intuitive interface and powerful set of features, it’s never been easier to turn your vision into reality.
One of the things that make the Marvel App Design Tool so special is its flexibility.
Whether you’re designing an app for iOS or Android, this platform has everything you need to get started.
You can choose from hundreds of templates, customize them with your own images and text, and even add interactive elements like buttons and forms.
Marvel app design tool is an innovative platform designed to help designers build interactive prototypes for mobile and web applications.
It offers a wide range of features that enable creators to turn their ideas into interactive designs without writing any code.
The platform has been lauded for its user-friendly interface, making it easy even for beginners to navigate.
One of the main advantages of the Marvel app design tool is its ability to bring all the elements of a project together in one place.
This means that users can easily collaborate and share their work with others, whether they are working on the same team or not.
Marvel also provides an extensive library of design resources such as icons, fonts, and templates which make it easier for designers to create high-quality designs in less time.
With Marvel’s intuitive drag-and-drop interface, designers can quickly create screens, add animations and transitions and customize interactions between different elements.
6. Axure RP
Whether you’re designing a website or mobile app, this app design tool has got you covered.
It comes equipped with a variety of pre-built widgets and templates that make it easy to get started right away.
Axure is a popular app design tool that is widely used by designers and developers alike.
It allows users to create wireframes, prototypes, and interactive documentation for websites and mobile apps.
Axure has become an essential tool in the design process because of its ability to create high-fidelity prototypes with complex interactions.
One of the main features that set Axure apart from other design tools is its ability to create dynamic content.
Users can easily add animations, transitions, and interactions to their designs with just a few clicks.
This makes it easy to test different design concepts and see how they would work in real-life scenarios.
Another key feature of Axure is its ability to collaborate with other project members on team.
With Axure Cloud, designers can share their designs with others for feedback and review.
7. Origami Studio
Origami Studio is a design tool that lets you create interactive prototypes for apps and websites.
It’s an incredibly powerful tool that allows designers to craft stunning interfaces without writing a single line of code.
One of my favorite things about Origami Studio is how intuitive it is to use.
The interface is clean and easy to navigate, with all the tools you need right at your fingertips.
And because it was developed by Facebook, you know it’s been rigorously tested and optimized for maximum performance.
But what really sets Origami Studio apart from other design tools out there is its ability to create complex interactions and animations.
With this app, you can easily build custom animations and transitions that really bring your designs to life.
One of the standout features of Origami Studio is its ability to create complex animations with ease.
The app comes equipped with a variety of built-in animation tools, including transitions, easing curves, and delays.
Users can also import animations created in other programs like After Effects or Lottie to use in their prototypes.
This makes it easy for designers to create engaging user experiences without having to write any code.
In addition to its animation capabilities, Origami Studio also offers powerful collaboration features.
8. Flinto
Flinto is a design tool that allows you to create interactive prototypes for your mobile or web apps.
It’s perfect for both beginners and experienced designers who want to create beautiful, functional interfaces without having to spend hours coding.
With Flinto, you can easily drag and drop elements onto your canvas and connect them with intuitive gestures.
You can also add animations, transitions, and other interactive features with just a few clicks.
This makes it easy to see how your app will look and function before you even start writing any code.
But what I love most about Flinto is its simplicity.
As someone who’s not particularly tech-savvy, I find it refreshing to have a tool that doesn’t overwhelm me with complicated menus or confusing jargon.
Flinto is designed with efficiency in mind, Flinto’s user-friendly interface lets you quickly prototype complex interactions without having to write any code.
This makes it ideal for both experienced designers and newcomers alike who want to get up and running quickly without having to spend hours learning complicated tools.
Another great thing about Flinto is its flexibility.
You can import your designs from Sketch or Photoshop, making it easy to transition from other design tools seamlessly.
9. Principle
The principle is a powerful app design tool that allows designers to create high-fidelity interactive animations and prototypes for iOS, Android, and the web.
With this versatile software, you can create stunning user interfaces with ease.
This popular design tool helps designers to create interactive and animated prototypes for mobile, web, and desktop applications.
It has also gained significant popularity due to its intuitive interface and powerful features that allow designers to bring their ideas to life quickly.
With Principle, designers can create high-fidelity animations that are responsive and fluid without any coding experience.
The app comes with a range of built-in templates and customizable components which make it easy for designers to get started.
From complex animations like parallax scrolling effects or 3D transforms, Principle makes it possible for designers to create an engaging user experience without compromising on the quality of the design.
Additionally, designers can import their designs from Sketch or Figma into Principle with one click, making the transition seamless.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Principle is its ability to simulate interactions between different screens in real-time.
10. Zeplin
Zeplin is an app design tool that simplifies and streamlines the entire design process, allowing designers to focus on creating stunning designs without worrying about technicalities.
It is a cloud-based platform that offers an all-in-one solution for UI/UX designers and developers.
This tool also allows designers to create interactive prototypes of their designs with ease, while also providing easy-to-use tools for collaboration between team members.
With Zeplin, you can access your designs from anywhere and share them with anyone with just a few clicks.
One of the best things about Zeplin is its ability to generate style guides automatically.
This feature saves time and effort by eliminating the need for manual input of design specifications.
The app also has many features that make it an ideal design tool for teams working on projects.
One of its main features is the ability to generate code snippets for different platforms such as iOS, Android, or Web which allows developers to easily implement the designs into their codebase.
Moreover, Zeplin provides a central repository where all design assets are stored and can be accessed by anyone on the team at any time.
Conclusion:
App design tools are a crucial part of the app development process.
They streamline the design process and enable designers to create beautiful, functional apps that meet user needs.
While there are many different design tools available on the market, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses, it’s important to choose one that best suits your workflow and design goals.
With the right app design tool in hand, you can bring your app dreams to life with ease.
So whether you’re a seasoned designer or just starting out, take advantage of these powerful tools and start building amazing apps today!
