Objective

The objective of this project was a design study comparing the native mobile systems iOS and Android. As a topic, I chose a party guide for local events and clubs. The main focus was to showcase the differences between the two native systems. 

Additionally, I wanted to explore a design that includes a community-based chatroom as well as a large-scale event calendar. Party On offers daily event schedules for different niches and a community area to connect with other party-goers via public posts or to message people directly.

Challenge

This was my first time designing for the two native platforms iOS and Android. A lot of research went into the process of implementing the different rules and guidelines into my design concept to create an appropriate comparison.

UX

  • Research
  • Concept
  • User flow
  • Wireframes

UI

  • Native visual identities
  • High fidelity wireframes
  • Visual prototype
  • Mockups

Tools Used

  • Sketch
  • Invision
  • Unsplash
  • Sketch Apple design files
  • Sketch Android design files

Research

The first step of my research was to learn about the iOS Human Interface Guidelines and the Andriod Material Design Guidelines. Most of that information was gathered on the platform’s official sites as well as on some design forums. 

The second step was to familiarize myself with the app’s topic. Therefore I did a competitive analysis of different party and event guides that are available for either iOS, Android, or both. Finding the well functioning elements and existing pain points to establish the structure of my own application.

Competitive Analysis

Competitor A B

Category

Party and event planner
Party finder

Platforms

iOS
iOS and Android

Free/ Paid

Free, with in-app purchases
Free

Target Audience

Apple users, young to middle-aged people, house party enthusiasts
Partygoers, people looking for specific events

Time On Market

8 years
4 years

Main Features

  • Task list for your party with reminder settings
  • Guest list feature with different categories
  • Expense calculator
  • List of upcoming parties and events
  • Booking of tickets, tables and guest list spots

Customer Ratings

4.5
3.2

Customer Reviews

  • Great checklist if you don’t know where to start
  • Only five guests unless you purchase an extra pack
  • Would be nice if multiple users could administer the planned event
  • Only the guest list has filter options, not the task list
  • Didn’t have to wait in line because of the app
  • Problems logging in
  • Not so many people are using it, couldn’t find a lot of  good ratings

 

Major Painpoints

No use to get an app if the planning can only be done for 5 guests without paying for an upgrade
  • Still in development phase, not all features function well
  • People would like to connect with others but no exposure of the app and features don’t support connecting

Structure and Wireframes

After establishing the structure and flow of the app and sketching out Low-Fidelity-Wireframes on paper, I included the characteristic differences of the two native systems in my Mid-Fidelity-Wireframes and created a set of wireframes for each iOS and Android.

User Flow

Mid-Fidelity-Wireframes Comparison

Sign Up iOS

Sign Up Android

Create Profile iOS

Create Profile Android

Home iOS

Home Android

Chat iOS

Chat Android

Finished Designs Comparison

The image slides below show the finished app screens for the iOS and Android native systems. The main criteria for the design was to convey the same brand massage and style on both platforms while following the different structural and stylistic rules of iOS and Android.

iOS

Android

Style Guide

This style guide shows the main design elements used for the iOS and Android screens. It is a guideline for differences and similarities of the visual style portrayed on the two platforms. 

Colors

iOS

Android

Typography

iOS

San Francisco Display

Android

Roboto

Logo

Font: Futura, Bold

Icon: Lineart representing a disco ball, used as the letter O in On

Buttons

iOS

Font: San Francisco Display

Android

Font: Roboto

Input Fields

iOS

Android

Switches

iOS

Android

Main Navigation

iOS

Android

Chat Navigation

iOS

Android

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Copyright © 2020 Elena Sandfort