Best mobile apps to learn UX design

Published on 24 Mar, 2024

Learning UX (User Experience) through mobile apps can be a convenient and effective way to acquire new skills. Here are some top mobile apps that can help you learn UX:

• Coursera

• Udemy

• LinkedIn Learning

• UXcel Go

• Pro app

• UX Assist

• UXness

• UXtoast

Coursera

Coursera offers a wide variety of UX design courses from top universities and companies around the world. Courses can range from beginner to advanced, and many offer certificates upon completion. Coursera also has a subscription option that gives you unlimited access to their entire course library.

Get the app | Ratings: 4.6 out of 5 | Downloads: 10M+

Udemy

Udemy is another popular online learning platform that offers a wide variety of UX design courses. Udemy courses are typically more affordable than Coursera courses, and they can be purchased individually or in bundles. However, the quality of Udemy courses can vary depending on the instructor.

Get the app | Ratings: 4.3 out of 5 | Downloads: 50K+ 

LInkedIn Learning

(Formerly Lynda.com) - LinkedIn Learning is a subscription-based online learning platform that offers a variety of UX design courses. LinkedIn Learning courses are typically created by industry experts, and they are designed to help you develop the skills you need to succeed in your UX design career. 

Get the app | Ratings: 4.3 out of 5 | Downloads: 10M+ 

UXcel Go

This app could be a mobile version of a larger UX design platform or tool. It might allow users to access and work on their UX projects on the go, with features like prototyping, collaboration, or design asset management.

Get the app (Android) | Ratings: 4.6 out of 5 | Downloads: 50K+ 

Pro app 

This could refer to a professional-grade UX design app tailored for advanced users. It might offer advanced features, customization options, or integrations with other design tools to cater to the needs of experienced UX designers.

Get the app (Android) | Ratings: 4.4 out of 5 | Downloads: 10K+ 

UX Assist

 

An app with features designed to assist UX designers in their workflow. UX Assist is a productivity app for young and experienced designers to help them in their design projects. Work across 80+ UX activities while also learning about them.

Get the app (iOS) | Ratings: NA out of 5 | Downloads: NA 

UXness 

UXness app offers resources and educational content for individuals interested in learning about UX design. They could include articles, tutorials, video lessons, or exercises covering various aspects of UX theory and practice. Expand your UX horizons with UXness! This comprehensive app boasts 300+ UX articles, curated UX book recommendations, listings of top UX courses, and upcoming design events. Plus, join a thriving global UX community of 35,000+ enthusiasts from over 100 countries and unlock a free 3-month IxDF subscription to supercharge your learning!

Get the app -  UXness | UXness Lite | Ratings: 4.8 out of 5  | Downloads: 15K+

UXtoast

This app might focus on providing quick tips, insights, or "snackable" content related to UX design. It could offer bite-sized articles, design challenges, or daily prompts aimed at helping designers stay inspired and informed.

Get the app (iOS) | Rating: 4.1 out of 5 | Downloads: NA 

By combining mobile apps with online learning platforms, you can create a well-rounded UX design learning experience that meets your individual needs and preferences.

Further readings

Top Online Platforms to Learn UX & UI Design

Best Apps to Learn UI/UX Design - CSS Author

10 Heuristic Principles – Jakob Nielsen’s (Usability Heuristics)

Top 10 must read UX Design Blogs

4 Apps to Help You Learn About UX/UI 

7 Android Apps Every UX Designer Should Use 

The Gestalt Principles - IxDF

7 Best Practices for designing Flawless Button or CTA in Web Design

Buttons or CTA are the unsung heroes of web design. They guide users through your website, prompt actions, and ultimately drive conversions. But a poorly designed button can confuse, frustrate, and leave users clicking away.

In web design, a call to action (CTA) refers to any element that encourages a user to take a specific action. This can be a button, a link, or even a piece of text formulated in a way that prompts a desired response.

CTAs are crucial because they bridge the gap between informing users and getting them to complete a goal you have for your website.  This goal could be anything from making a purchase to signing up for a newsletter to downloading a file.

7 Best Practices for designing Button or CTA

Let's dive into seven best practices to ensure your buttons are user-friendly and effective:

1. Label It Clearly

Use strong verbs or action words that tell users exactly what will happen when they click. "Buy Now" is far more effective than "Click Here."

2. Keep it Tidy

Avoid button overload. Too many buttons overwhelm users and make it unclear which action is most important.

3. Location, Location, Location

Place buttons strategically, where users naturally expect them to be. For example, a "Submit" button should be at the bottom of a form.

4. See Me, Click Me

Make buttons visually distinct from the background. Use contrasting colors, clear borders, and appropriate sizing.

5. Button Behavior

Distinguish between active and inactive buttons. Inactive buttons should appear slightly dimmed or altered to prevent accidental clicks.

6. Prioritize with Color

Use color strategically to highlight the primary button (the most important action). Primary buttons can be bolder in color, while secondary buttons use more muted tones.

7. Buttons vs. Links? Know the Difference

Buttons signify an action, while links lead to new content. Maintain consistency to avoid confusing users.

Beyond the Click: Feedback is Key

Visual Feedback

When a user clicks a button, provide visual confirmation – a subtle change in color, animation, or loading indicator.

Haptic Feedback (Optional)

On mobile devices, consider using haptic feedback (a slight vibration) to acknowledge a button press.

Error Prevention

For crucial actions, consider adding confirmation pop-ups to prevent accidental clicks, especially for destructive actions like "Delete."

By following these best practices, you can design buttons that are intuitive, informative, and guide users seamlessly through your website. Remember, well-designed buttons are more than just pixels on a screen – they're powerful tools that enhance user experience and drive results.designing effective web buttons goes beyond aesthetics; it's about creating intuitive, accessible, and user-friendly interfaces. By following these best practices, you can elevate the user experience, drive engagement, and guide users towards desired actions seamlessly. Remember, every click begins with a well-designed button.

Image credits: Image by Freepik

Further readings

Hick’s Law: Making the choice easier for users

The Gestalt Principles in Web Design

10 Heuristic Principles – Jakob Nielsen’s (Usability Heuristics)

Top 10 must read UX Design Blogs

What is Expert Review in UX Design 

What is Contextual Inquiry 

The Gestalt Principles - IxDF

Top 10 Must-Read UX Design Blogs: Your Guide to Expert Insights and Resources

Published on 18 Mar, 2024

There are several reputable UX design blogs that provide valuable insights, tips, and resources for designers looking to stay updated on industry trends and best practices. Here are some of the best UX design blogs:

1. UX Collective

A collection of articles, case studies, and resources curated by designers from around the world. It covers a wide range of topics in UX design, including user research, interaction design, and usability testing. 

Website

2. Nielsen Norman Group (NN/g) Blog

Run by the renowned usability consulting firm Nielsen Norman Group, this blog offers expert analysis, research findings, and practical advice on UX design, usability, and user research. 

Website

3. UX Booth

A comprehensive resource for UX professionals, UX Booth features articles, tutorials, and interviews covering various aspects of UX design, including user-centered design, prototyping, and information architecture.

Website

4. Smashing Magazine

While not exclusively focused on UX design, Smashing Magazine regularly publishes high-quality articles and tutorials on web design, UX/UI design, and front-end development. It's a valuable resource for designers looking to broaden their skills and knowledge.

Website

5. UXness

Packed with articles on UX design, usability, and related fields, UXness offers UX courses, UX books, UX event listings, and UX tool recommendations. Curated content, diverse range of UX topics, and strong community engagement: over 35K UX enthusiasts, over 18,000 monthly active users and 2 million+ lifetime article views, UXness boasts a vibrant UX design community where you can learn from and connect with other designers. (Listed in Best Indian UX/UI Design Blog by FeedSpot)

Website

6. InVision Blog

InVision is a leading platform for prototyping and collaboration in design, and their blog offers insightful articles, case studies, and interviews on UX/UI design, product design, and design thinking.

Website

7. UX Planet

A popular Medium publication dedicated to UX design, UX Planet features articles written by designers and researchers covering a wide range of topics, from user research techniques to UX strategy and beyond.

Website

8. A List Apart

A respected online magazine focusing on web design and development, A List Apart publishes thought-provoking articles and essays by industry experts on topics such as responsive design, accessibility, and content strategy.

Website

9. UX Matters

With a focus on best practices, UXmatters caters to designers of all experience levels.

Website

10. Usability Geek

Usability Geek provides practical tips, tutorials, and insights on usability testing, UX design tools, and user interface design. It's a valuable resource for both beginners and experienced UX designers.

Website

These blogs offer a wealth of knowledge and inspiration for UX designers at all levels of experience, and regularly following them can help you stay informed about the latest trends and techniques in the field.

Further readings

Best Indian UX/UI Design Blogs and Websites - FeedSpots

30 Best UX Design Blogs to Educate

The Best UX Design Blogs - CareerFoundry

UI/UX Design Books & Blog Resources Recommended for Designers

12 Laws of UX: Designing with Principles for User Delight

The "Laws of UX" refer to a set of principles and guidelines that designers can follow to create user interfaces (UI) and experiences (UX) that are effective, intuitive, and user-friendly. These laws are not strict rules but rather general principles that help designers understand and address user needs. Some of the prominent laws of UX include:

1. Hick's Law

This law states that the time it takes to make a decision increases with the number of choices available. Designers should aim to simplify choices and reduce cognitive load for users.

2. Fitts's Law

This law relates to the time it takes to move to a target area, such as a button or link, and is influenced by the size and distance of the target. Designers should make interactive elements larger and position them in easily accessible areas.

3. Law of Proximity

Elements that are close to each other are perceived as related. Designers use this law to group related items together, making interfaces more organized and intuitive.

4. Law of Similarity

Similar elements are perceived as related. Designers use this law to create visual consistency and convey information hierarchy by employing similar colors, shapes, or styles for related elements.

5. Miller's Law

This law suggests that the average person can only keep 7 (plus or minus 2) items in their working memory at once. Designers should consider this limit when presenting information, organizing content, and creating navigation structures.

6. Zeigarnik Effect

This psychological principle states that people remember uncompleted or interrupted tasks better than completed tasks. Designers can use this to encourage user engagement and completion of tasks.

7. Gestalt Principles

These principles, including proximity, similarity, continuity, closure, and figure-ground, explain how humans perceive and organize visual information. Designers use these principles to create cohesive and meaningful visual experiences.

8. Jakob's Law

Users are more comfortable with interfaces that follow familiar design patterns. Jakob's Law emphasizes the importance of aligning with user expectations to enhance usability.

9. Aesthetic-Usability Effect

This principle suggests that users perceive more aesthetically pleasing designs as more usable. While aesthetics alone are not enough, a visually appealing design can positively influence the user's perception of usability.

10. Fogg Behavior Model

Developed by behavior scientist BJ Fogg, this model states that behavior (B) occurs when motivation (M), ability (A), and triggers (T) converge. Designers can use this model to understand and influence user behavior.

11. Kano Model

Classify features into basic, performance, and delight factors to understand user satisfaction and prioritize design decisions accordingly.

12. Golden Ratio

Apply the golden ratio in layout and visual design to achieve aesthetically pleasing proportions.

These laws are not exhaustive, and different designers may emphasize different principles based on the context of their projects. Additionally, the field of UX design is dynamic, and new insights may lead to the evolution or addition of principles over time. These principles and laws are foundational to the UX design process, and designers often adapt and combine them based on the specific context of their projects and user needs. UX is an evolving field, and staying informed about emerging trends and insights is crucial for creating successful user experiences.

Further readings

Hick’s Law: Making the choice easier for users

The Gestalt Principles in Web Design

10 Heuristic Principles – Jakob Nielsen’s (Usability Heuristics)

Top 10 must read UX Design Blogs

What is Expert Review in UX Design 

What is Contextual Inquiry 

The Gestalt Principles - IxDF