Indeed, the user interface was neat and user-friendly, but it lacked the interactivity and sophistication we take for granted in modern-day apps. But at that time, we were just getting knowledgeable about such developments, so it makes sense to be limited to our technical skills, as users.
Even more so, we were also heavily influenced by the limitations of technology. Smartphones were relatively new, and their hardware and software capabilities were concepts that we were just beginning to grasp. For this reason, app developers had to design apps that could run smoothly on these devices – but with minimal resources at hand.
Where did this lead to? The emergence of skeuomorphic design – which means that it’s an approach that mimics real-world objects and materials. In fact, it was prevalent in early versions of Apple’s apps – Notes and Contacts. However, the skeuomorphic design was widely criticized for being too cluttered and distracting, and we gave up on it to quickly move to a more minimalistic approach.
So that’s when flat design started marking waves and took us to a significant turning point in the evolution of mobile app design! What differentiated these two approaches was that flat design simplified the user interface by removing any unnecessary elements. For this reason, the focus of the designers moved to typography, color, and shape. Do you remember when Instagram changed its original camera icon logo to the current purple-to-yellow gradient one? Exactly, this was the flat design revolution.
Now, we have moved to more detailed and interactive versions, not only transforming mobile apps’ look but also how using them feels. Designers are now incorporating more animations, micro-interactions, and even 3D elements into their designs, while also giving them a more bold appearance. For this reason, nowadays, these design elements not only add to the visual appeal of the app but also enhance its functionality.
It's clear that the evolution of mobile app design that we’ve seen has been nothing but remarkable. From the basic and functional apps of the past to the sophisticated and sleek apps of today. And the best part? It pushes the boundaries to create even more innovative and engaging UI/UX in the future.
