The Ultimate Guide to Mobile App Design Trends 2024 : Everything You Need to Know

Mobile app design trends are like fashion; they never stay the same. Just as styles come and go, UI/UX designs continue to evolve with the emergence of new technology and design approaches, adding new dimensions to the landscape of app development. As the number of global mobile apps is near the 9 million mark, keeping pace with the latest UI/UX design trends isn’t just left an option but a necessity. 

For businesses that want to keep up with the user’s dynamic demands and, of course, an upper hand over their competitors, following and implementing the latest mobile app design trends is a must. But is it possible to implement all designs at once? Will it not overload the app interface with various elements? Well, the answer lies in your app’s requirements. It is not mandatory to follow all mobile app trends at once, but choose those that align with your app’s purpose and requirements. You can probably get help from your development partner. 

In between, you can read this ultimate guide to mobile app design trends, with a collection of 10+ latest UI/UX design trends. We have featured design trends across different categories. Remember, your decision to choose the best design trend for your app should be based on its purpose, requirements, and user demographics. 

Mobile App Design Industry At Glance

• The global mobile application market size was valued at a whopping USD 228.98 billion in 2023. (Sources: Grand View Research)
• The cost of designing a mobile app can vary greatly depending on complexity. Clutch reports an average cost range of $38,000 to $171,000. (Source: Clutch)
• With mobile dominating usage, Google prioritizes mobile-friendly websites in search rankings. (Source: Google Search Central)
• 53% of mobile site visitors abandon a page that takes longer than 3 seconds to load. (Source: Think with Google)
• The UI design market is expected to reach over $3.6 billion by 2028, with a growth rate of 15% per year. (Source: Business Research Insights)
• The UX design market is even bigger, expected to hit $20 billion by 2028, growing at over 16% per year. (Source: Business Research Insights)

• Recent research has shown that a well-designed user interface (UI) can boost conversion rates by as much as 200%. Even more impressive, a smooth user experience (UX) can lead to a whopping 400% increase. (Source: Forrester)
• 58% of consumers reported that their digital interactions have little impact on their purchasing decisions. (Source: Gartner)

What Is Mobile App Design?

Mobile app design can be understood as your app's look and feel. This involves all the visual and interactive components determining the app's functioning. The design of a mobile app combines two elements—User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX).

The UI is responsible for the app's visual appeal, including aspects like color scheme, typography, style, and other design-related decisions. On the other hand, UX design focuses on the app's functionality and usability.

Despite having a brilliant app idea, it becomes challenging to retain users without an excellent UI and UX design. Regardless of the type of app you're developing, be it an ecommerce app, an app for internal employee use, a fitness app, or any other category, the design should always be given utmost importance.

This underscores the significance of investing in app design right from the start. Such an investment will save you money in the long run and ensure a higher Return on Investment (ROI) for your app.

Why it Is Necessary to Stay Updated with Mobile App Design Trends? 

Staying updated with the latest mobile app design trends can help propel your business's revenue growth. Here's why:

Enhancing User Experience

Adopting top-notch mobile app design practices can result in a seamless and delightful user experience. Traditional app design strategies, such as user-friendly navigation and adaptable layouts, elevate overall user-friendliness, making your app loved by everyone. 

Boosting Conversion Rates

Refine user interfaces in accordance with the latest mobile app design trends to increase conversion rates. If users find the app aesthetically pleasing and easy to use, they are more inclined to perform desired actions like making purchases or registering.

Maximizing User Engagement

Staying abreast of the mobile app design trends for 2024 enables businesses to develop engaging and interactive interfaces. Embracing app design trends like Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality (VR/AR) and 3D elements can mesmerize users, prompting them to spend more time on the app.

Elevating Retention Rates

Apps designed according to the latest UI/UX trends are more likely to retain users in the long run. A faithful user base ensures a steady revenue flow through repeated transactions, subscription renewals, and sustained engagement.

5 Mobile App Design Best Practices for Designers

Before we move on to explore the latest mobile app design trends for 2024, let’s first understand the best practices to implement them. It will not only help you choose the suitable trend for your app but also give you a clear idea of what you can do to improve your app’s user experiences. 

#1. Deciding on the Platform

When designing an app for various platforms and operating systems, you'll need to take into account several factors. Each platform, such as iOS and Android, has its own set of guidelines and unique development processes.

It's important to remember that iOS and Android have different market shares. While Apple has a strong hold on the US market, Android is the leading platform worldwide. Therefore, your target demographic will play a crucial role in determining the platform for which you're designing. 

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Designing for iOS

When designing an app for iOS, there are a few key points to remember. Firstly, the platform is known for its reliability, speed, and user-friendliness. 

Apple users appreciate a clean, contemporary design that's easy to navigate. It's also important to ensure your app is compatible with all Apple devices, including iPads, Apple Watches, Macs, and more.

Designing for Android

Unlike Apple, Android is an open ecosystem, offering you greater flexibility in your app development and design process. 

Like iOS, designing for Android requires considering a design beyond just smartphones. Your design should be compatible with wearables, VR devices, Android Auto, and more. 

Given the variety of device types and platforms available on the Android app store, these factors should be considered when designing for Android.

#2. Collect User Demographics

Are you aware of your app users' demographics? Do you know which countries they're from, their age groups, or when they use your app? The user demographics guide your app's user experience (UX). Take a lesson from Audible's experience: 

They wanted to modernize their app, which had an outdated gray design. They chose a minimalistic white design, which looked stunning but didn't suit their users. 

Many truck drivers use Audible to listen to audiobooks at night, and the bright white app was distracting. By understanding your user demographics, you can avoid such missteps.

#3. Conduct Device-Specific Testing

The Android market is flooded with hundreds of devices. Just because your app works well on one device doesn't mean it will work on all others. While it's impractical to test your app on every device, you should at least test it on small, medium, and large-sized Android phones.

#4. User Segmentation

Divide your users into segments (new, one-time, returning, loyal, etc.) and analyze their user journey. Your ultimate goal should be to convert all your users into power users. To achieve this, consider the following strategies:

• Provide a seamless and educational onboarding experience
• Offer interactive tutorials or guided tours
• Allow personalization and customization
• Incorporate gamification elements
• Offer incentives or rewards to regular users

#5. Focus on Performance and Speed

Users expect apps to load quickly and run smoothly. Optimize your app's performance to meet these expectations. Eliminate unnecessary animations and optimize images to reduce loading times. Remember, users value their time and prefer responsive and fast apps.

Top 10 Mobile App Design Trends for 2024

#1. Incorporating Animations and Micro-interactions  

Wyzowl's research indicates that a staggering 96% of individuals have viewed an instructional video to gain a better understanding of a product or service. The popularity of video content is skyrocketing, with people dedicating hours to platforms like YouTube and Vimeo and expecting every brand to have a presence there.

If your mobile app design has yet to incorporate video and animation, it's time for a change. The impact will be noticeable:

• Your landing page will attract more potential customers,
• Your content will begin to engage and convert visitors,
• Brand loyalty will reach unprecedented levels.

#2. Responsive Design

Imagine you download a cool new app, but everything looks squished or stretched weirdly when you open it. Not a great first impression, right? That’s why responsive design is important. It ensures your app automatically adjusts its layout to look perfect on any size screen.

Responsive design uses clever coding techniques to ensure that buttons, menus, text, and images resize themselves to fit the screen without losing their readability or functionality. This means users get a smooth and enjoyable experience no matter their device. 

#3. Consider Accessibility

The best apps are those that are inclusive. Accessibility features ensure that everyone can use your app effectively regardless of their abilities.  Here are some ways to make your app more accessible:

• Clear Labels and Instructions: Use easy-to-understand language and avoid jargon. Make sure buttons and icons have clear labels that describe their function. 
• Easy Navigation: Keep your app layout simple and organized. Use large, tappable buttons and clear menus. 
• Text Size and Color Contrast: Offer options to adjust text size for better readability. Choose color combinations that contrast text and background, making it easier for people with visual impairments to see things clearly. 
•  Alternative Input Methods: Consider features like voice control or text-to-speech for users who have difficulty typing or using touchscreens. 

#4. Dark Mode Design 

Staring at a bright phone screen in a dark room can be tiring for your eyes. That's where dark mode can help! It is a display setting that uses a dark color scheme for the app interface, with lighter text and icons. It's easier on the eyes in low-light conditions and can even help save battery life on some devices. 

Here's why dark mode is becoming a popular trend:

• It reduces the amount of bright light emitted from the screen, making it more comfortable to use your app in low-light environments.
• On devices with OLED screens, dark mode can actually help conserve battery life because it requires less power to display dark pixels. 
• Many users simply prefer the sleek and stylish look of dark mode interfaces. 

#5. Personalization and Customization 

Wouldn't it be cool if your app could feel as unique as you are?  Personalization and customization features allow users to tailor the app's look and functionality to their preferences. 

Here are some ways apps are offering personalization:

• Let users choose different color schemes or themes to change the overall look and feel of the app. 
• Allow users to choose which features they want to see and use. This helps declutter the interface and keeps things focused on what matters most to each individual. 
•  Some apps use algorithms to recommend content or features based on a user's past activity. This creates a more personalized experience that keeps users engaged. 

#6. In-app Gesture-Based Navigation

Since the introduction of the in-app gesture navigation feature in the iPhone X in 2017, it has become a standard in app development. Yet, Android devices haven't fully adopted this feature due to the diverse market with numerous manufacturers and limited control from Google. 

The vast number of Android device makers means that each one can interpret and implement gesture navigation in their own way. Despite the absence of universal standards for Android phones, in-app gestures significantly improve the user experience by elevating the entire interaction process.

#7. Chatbots and Conversational Design

The fusion of conversational design and chatbots offers a unique chance to maintain continuous communication with your clients and associates. 

Using AI chatbots and effective conversational design can enable your business to manage a large volume of customer inquiries while ensuring seamless operation. These mobile app design trends enhance efficiency, expedite request handling, and foster trust in your organization.

#8. Incorporating Augmented Reality into UI Design

Five years ago, the global count of mobile users using augmented reality (AR) was 0.44 billion. By 2025, this figure is projected to soar to 1.73 billion! So, consider incorporating augmented reality, one of the latest mobile app design trends.

However, integrating AR into UI is not a task for a small design team. It requires extensive knowledge and a professional touch. It's advisable to engage a team of specialists who can devise a strategy for incorporating augmented reality into design and assist with its execution. 

#9. User-Generated Content (UGC)

User-generated content (UGC) refers to content about a brand created and shared publicly by regular individuals. This includes reviews, videos, photos, and testimonials.

A little nudge to your audience might be necessary to encourage a surge of UGC. Send out informative emails and important messages via instant messaging and SMS, and deploy chatbots. Embracing this growing trend is a marketing reality that needs to be acknowledged.

#10. Designing UI and UX for Individuals with Disabilities

When designing any user interface, it's crucial to consider the diverse range of users who will interact with it. The Nielsen Norman Group suggests the following best practices for accessible web design:

• Use ALT texts for images to assist individuals with visual impairments
• Create image maps
• Encode information with texts of relative sizes
• Ensure that turning off sound does not compromise the user experience of the website
• Design website or app elements that do not necessitate precise tapping

Minimalist vs. Complex Design Approaches: Which One Should You Choose?

Have you landed on a website with many annoying ads and felt overwhelmed? It all depends on the app owner’s choice of design approaches. There are two main approaches: minimalist and complex. But which one is right for you?

• Minimalism is all about keeping things clean and clear. Think of a mobile app that focuses on easy navigation and essential information. It creates a sense of calm and allows the core elements to shine.
• The complex design embraces a richer aesthetic. Imagine a mobile app with detailed graphics and interactive features. It can be visually engaging and tell a more elaborate story.

So, which to choose? It depends! Minimalism is great for promoting focus and clarity, while complex design excels at grabbing attention and conveying a lot of information. Consider the purpose of your design. Is it an app for a news platform that needs to be easily digestible? Minimalism might be the way to go. Are you designing a poster for a music festival? The complex design would add excitement. 

Conclusion

Navigating the ever-changing landscape of mobile app design trends and determining the best fit for your business can be daunting. It demands not only resources but also a deep understanding of the domain. Often, businesses find it challenging to conduct such extensive research independently. At this point, Mtoag Technologies can help you a lot. 

We are well-versed with the latest trends and keenly understand what works best for your specific industry. Our team is equipped to assist you with research and implementation through our mobile app design services. If you're still trying to figure out how to incorporate the latest mobile UI design trends, don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're more than happy to explore your possibilities together.