You use your smartphone for social networking, entertainment, shopping, productivity. You name it.

It all matters – aesthetics and functionality. When you meet a business for the first time online, that business’s app and their mobile-responsive website play a critical role in your first impression.

Striking the right balance between aesthetics and functionality is the most important challenge in mobile design. An aesthetically appealing design attracts users and creates a memorable brand image. But without robust functionality, it quickly leads to frustration and abandonment. On the other hand, a highly functional design that lacks visual appeal fails to engage users or convey the desired brand message.

Let’s tackle the ever-lasting design dilemma: how can you balance aesthetics and functionality in mobile design?

The role of functionality in mobile design

Yes; an app should look great. But what if that appearance takes its toll on my user experience? What if the app I need takes up so much space that I need to use a photo cleaner to clean my phone? Functionality is about minimising the space the app takes without sacrificing too much of the aesthetics. The app needs straightforward accessibility, too. For a cleaner iOS app, for example, accessibility means offering customizable settings and features like voice commands, high-contrast colour schemes, or support for screen readers. 

Performance is a crucial aspect of an app’s functionality. It must load quickly, run smoothly, and be responsive to user inputs.

Understanding aesthetics in mobile design

The overall look and feel of an app is responsible for the first impression a user has. It significantly influences their perception and interaction with the product. Aesthetics encompass the choices made in colour schemes, typography, imagery, and layout.

A strong visual identity is essential for distinguishing an app in a crowded marketplace. Designers rely on the consistent use of logos, colour schemes, and typography to represent the brand’s identity and values.

Achieving balance between functionality and aesthetic design

It’s not an easy task! Designers must carefully consider both the visual appeal and practical usability to create an app that’s not only attractive but also efficient and user-friendly.

These are the challenges you’ll face:

• Competing priorities

Some members of the design team may push for a visually stunning interface, while others will emphasise the importance of functionality and performance. Collaboration and compromise are crucial in that case!

• User expectations

Users expect apps to be both beautiful and functional. If your app excels in one area but falls short in the other, the reviews won’t be great. Meeting these high expectations is a significant challenge for design teams.

• Resource constraints

Time and money are always limited. It’s not always possible to invest equally in aesthetics and functionality, so the team must prioritise one over the other.

Image credit: unsplash

The strategies: How to balance aesthetics and functionality

The balance cannot be achieved on a whim. It takes a strategy that prioritises user experience while ensuring visual appeal. Try these strategies to see how they help:

1. Maintain a user-centred approach

An interface that’s both beautiful and functional can only be achieved by understanding users’ needs, preferences, and behaviours. To reach that point, you should first gather insights about your target audience. Rely on user personas, which represent different user types and guide design decisions. You can also map out user journeys and scenarios to understand how users interact with the app. That will help you identify pain points and opportunities to improve the design. 

2. Make it iterative!

An iterative design process repeats the cycles of design, prototyping, testing, and refinement. The focus is on continuous improvement and alignment with user needs. Tools like A/B testing can help you determine which design variations work best, so you’ll hit the balance that your users need.

3. Develop a cross-functional team

Collaboration between designers, developers, product managers, and stakeholders is essential for balancing aesthetics and functionality. Start with design workshops and brainstorming sessions to encourage collaboration across teams. Different perspectives will align, and you’ll achieve a unified design vision.

Don’t forget to schedule regular check-ins and reviews to make sure the design and development teams are aligned. With that, you’ll address potential issues early and ensure that both aesthetic and functional goals are met.

Examples of balanced mobile design

Let’s list a few great apps that hit the right balance between aesthetics and functionality:

• Instagram — Its clean, minimalistic design emphasises visual content. At the same time, its intuitive navigation and interactive features enhance user experience.
• Dropbox — It combines a sleek, modern interface with robust functionality. The design isn’t overwhelming, which brings us to a simple rule: clean design is aesthetically appealing without affecting the speed and overall performance. 
• Headspace — The visually calming design complements the purpose of this meditation and mindfulness app. Headspace’s soothing colour schemes and simple typography make it appealing, but that tranquil design is balanced with effective usability. Users can easily access and track meditation practices.

Now; let’s be honest: these are apps with huge investments in the background. But with a strategic approach, it’s possible for smaller teams to balance aesthetics and functionality, too.