Fundamentos de Diseño de Apps, Android vs iOS

Creating mobile applications that feel truly native is an art that goes beyond simple visual design. Understanding platform-specific design guidelines is critical to developing exceptional user experiences that respect the philosophy and expectations of each operating system.

Why is it crucial to follow native design guidelines?

Subtle differences in app design can have a significant impact on the user experience. When an app does not follow its platform's guidelines, users can experience:

• Difficulty finding buttons in expected places.
• Problems with readability due to inadequate typography.
• Poorly flowing transitions that break with the native experience.
• Interactions that do not correspond to the usual patterns.

How do successful apps adapt to each platform?

Apple Music is an excellent example of cross-platform adaptation. The app maintains its identity while respecting the particularities of each system:

• On iOS: it uses tabs to organize results and pull-on buttons for additional actions.
• On Android: it implements bottom sheets and adapts the layout according to Material Design principles.

What are the main differences between iOS and Android?

What characterizes Material Design?

Material Design is based on principles of physical design and digital paper, standing out for:

• Use of layers and shadows to represent hierarchy.
• Roboto typography as standard.
• Navigation bar and navigation driver for navigation.
• Floating action button for main actions.
• Robust and structured color system.

What distinguishes Human Interface Guidelines?

The philosophy of iOS focuses on clarity and lightness, characterized by:

• Transparencies and subtle blurs.
• San Francisco and New York typography.
• Lower tab bars and upper navigation bars.
• Minimalist color palette.
• Unique haptic gestures and spatial movements.

How to evaluate the design of a multiplatform application?

To analyze the effectiveness of an application design, it is important to consider:

• The naturalness of navigation and components.
• The coherence in the use of typography and colors.
• The alignment of interactions and gestures with user expectations.
• Adaptation to the specific guidelines of each platform.

Success in cross-platform design lies in understanding and respecting the essence of each operating system, creating experiences that feel natural and familiar to users. We invite you to share your observations about the applications you use every day and how they adapt to these design guidelines.