Mobile Application Images
Visceral appeal has value, but apps also need to deliver content and functionality. Adding too many images can detract from this goal and can be counterproductive.
Make sure to follow Apple and Android’s guidelines for sizing images for different screen sizes. Additionally, if using ImageKit for app delivery, ensure the file is encoded with the “f-webp” transformation parameter.
Choosing the Right Images
Mobile application images are crucial for a good user experience. To achieve this, developers must ensure that the images they use are properly sized, optimized and delivered quickly. This can be challenging as more than 70% of web traffic is from mobile devices.
The right images communicate your app’s purpose and message, and align with your overall theme and design elements. They should also be unique, clear in their focus and enticing to the users. To achieve this, try mixing mediums such as photography and illustrations. For example, the Medium mobile app uses both photography and illustration in its visuals to convey their purpose of being a platform for writers, thinkers and storytellers to share their thoughts.
In terms of image optimization, it’s important to choose a lossless compression method which preserves the quality of the original image. It’s also advisable to avoid stretching images, except for very rare scenarios where the image needs to be displayed at an arbitrary size.
Avoid Generic Stock Photos
Stock photos have a bad reputation. They’re often cliche, they look cheap and don’t resonate with your audience. They can also wash out your brand’s relevance, especially if your competitors are using them as well.
When choosing the right images for your mobile application, it’s important to avoid generic stock photos. After all, a good photo isn’t going to attract customers and prompt engagement if they can tell it’s a stock image.
When it comes to choosing a photo, think about your audience and how they would perceive the image. If a person sees a picture of a smiling customer service representative in front of an office desk, they’re likely to feel like they’re being talked down to and might be more hesitant to use the company’s services. In addition, cheesy stock photos can come off as insincere and impersonal. This will not only cause users to lose trust in your business, but it may drive them away as well.
Keep It Simple
When designing mobile apps, you’ll need to keep in mind the many different devices and screen sizes. This is why it’s important to use images that are high-resolution and easily readable at smaller dimensions. Additionally, you’ll need to ensure that text is large enough so that it can be easily read.
It’s also essential to limit the number of actions that users have to take on a single screen. Too many options can overwhelm users and result in poor comprehension. Finally, make sure to use sufficient contrast to distinguish your fonts from the background.
A well-designed app can perform tasks much faster than a website because it uses local hardware on the device rather than remote servers. This can help you save time and money, as well as give your users a better experience.
Create Compelling Images
Images can be a great way to capture users’ attention and differentiate your app. However, it is important to remember that they should serve as an addition to the functionality and content of your mobile application. When used to excess, images can detract from the user experience by taking up too much space and obscuring other important elements.
Aim to create iconic points of focus within your imagery. This helps the user understand your product at a glance and makes it stand out from competitors. For example, the “Chewy” category image features a clear point of focus that directs the user to the appropriate shopping aisle.
Don’t be afraid to mix mediums when choosing your app photos. Illustrations can be effective for conveying abstract concepts and ideas while photography is better for demonstrating real-life situations. For example, the “PlantID” and “Seek” apps use illustrations to clearly communicate their app’s purpose while keeping their designs simple.
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