6 Tips for Designing Mobile Interfaces

Sholom Sandalow, Friday, September 22, 2006 @ 2:06 pm

I recently had the pleasure of working on a user interface for a mobile application.  Our client is migrating their existing software product from use on the desktop to a handheld device.  I am part of a team that is designing the GUI. 
Although many of the issues involved in designing handheld and desktop GUIs and are similar, handheld devices present unique challenges to interface designers.  Here are 6 tips that can help you ease your way into designing mobile interfaces…

1 – Know the device’s screen resolution.
It’s obvious, but the most important issue is being aware of the resolution you are working with.  Many handheld devices such as PDAs use QVGA (320 x 240).  Mobile phone displays can go much smaller.  This will have an effect on the amount of text and imagery you should design into each screen. 

2 – Experience the physical device. 
It’s crucial to understand how users will interact with the device before you can design for it.  Pick up the device and use it, note how you naturally connect with it.  What finger are you using to press buttons?   Is the device light or heavy/large or small?  How does this affect your hand movements?   All of these will have implications for the interface design.

3 – Know the display’s color depth.
Although you’ll probably be designing using at least 24 bits of color (16.7 million colors), mobile devices typically have much lower color depth.  The one we were working on can only display 16 bits of color (about 65 thousand colors).  65 thousand colors are more than enough to work with, but you should be aware of the differences.

4 – Understand the limitations of the device’s software.
Handheld device software is generally at least a few years behind its desktop and laptop counterparts.  Make sure you’re designing something that can be coded in the device.

5 – Understand the implications of the touch screen. 
Almost all advanced mobile devices feature touch screens.  Become familiar with the device’s touch screen before you design. Be aware of things like touch sensitivity, and hot spot preciseness.  They will impact the user’s interaction with the device. 

6 – Be aware of the device’s audio capabilities.
Many devices come equipped with a set of sounds that can be triggered by user interaction.  Audio can be very helpful in providing feedback to the user when he or she is not concentrating on the device itself (such as when performing a repetitive task, or a task that requires one to look elsewhere).

Related posts:

1. A Good Reference – Jenifer Tidwell’s “Designing Interfaces”
2. Plug: Designing Invisible Interfaces Webinar
3. Plug: Designing Invisible Interfaces Webinar
4. Pixel by Pixel…Or how I spent my last 2 weeks designing a few icons
5. the iPhone and Touch screen technology

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