Mobile UI Design: 5 Basic App Screen Types You Must Know About

Thanks to the widespread use of mobile applications, today, a smartphone serves as an office, supermarket, entertainment hub, and library all in one. It's getting harder and harder to create an application that will stick on users' minds and phones in this sea of applications.

UI interface creation is a complex process. UI designers) must define their users, comprehend UI design patterns, be able to use a variety of design tools, and develop a distinctive aesthetic that complies with project criteria to construct a successful mobile UI.

What is the first thing a user notices when opening an app? The user interface. That being said, a designer must select one of the various styles of user interfaces to ensure that a user stays and loves surfing the app.

Yet, coming up with a smart app design on the go might be tough. I've put together the 5 most common mobile screen types along with some practical advice for mobile UI that may be used as inspiration to create an app UI that works and looks great!

Let’s get started!

Splash screen

First impressions are what shape a user’s opinion about a mobile app. If the experience is pleasant from the beginning of interactions with the app, the app will most likely be more popular among users. So, just like any other mobile app screen, the splash screen must also be paid attention to.

Splash screens are the first thing a user sees when they open a mobile application. These are often minimalistic and present a product’s logo, name, or slogan. To ensure that the splash screen looks well on all devices, designers frequently place the items in the center of the screen. However, it must not be shown any longer than 4-8 seconds. It could also be a good idea to show loading progress so that impatient users know when the app will be started.

Onboarding tutorial screen

This is a set of screens presenting a mobile app’s main features, navigation systems, as well as the benefits it could bring to the users. Onboarding tutorial screens appear to those who use the app for the first time and guide them correctly through the unfamiliar features and see if the app is useful for them.

Though the style and content of an app's onboarding differ depending on its function, all onboarding screens follow some basic guidelines. For example, use custom graphics to make the app stand out and pay particular attention to the copy: make it clear, simple, and easy to understand. And, of course, only show onboarding to first-time users, not returning ones.

Home and menu screen

A home screen is the main component of a mobile app with which users interact the most. Thus, it is imperative to utilize UI designer skills) and come up with a functional yet attractive main screen design that enables users to keep using it. Besides, how a home screen looks and functions depends mainly on the app’s purpose and features.

Because the home page contains the majority of a mobile app's options, it frequently includes crucial navigation components such as a search field. It's ideal if the screen includes basic colors and, in some cases, drawings, depending on the type of application. On top of that, icons must be easily visible and have a clear meaning. It’s ideal to keep the number of icons minimal, showing only the important ones.

Log-in and profile screen

The bulk of modern smartphone apps requires registration. People normally only see log-in pages once while enrolling, or only very rarely if your software requires re-logging for security reasons. However, logging/signing up isn’t an activity that users find most appealing. So, it’s up to the UI designer how to make this experience smooth and quick with a clean-cut design, ultimately increasing user interaction and reducing the app abandonment rate.

Here are a few suggestions that can help. Get rid of unnecessary distractions and provide clear error messages. Also, it’s ideal to switch to one-click logins via Facebook or Google.

And, when it comes to designing the profile screen, it’s essential to go through all the UX vs UI design) elements. The designer’s job is to personalize and customize the whole experience via smart UX. For example, don’t let users make effort to puzzle out the app, but give users exactly what they need instead. You may also take help with recent activity status or bookmarks.

Checkout screen

Checkout screens often include a form where customers enter the relevant information such as their name and credit card number. UI designers must understand how to construct a relevant checkout screen design so that users feel at ease while completing this final step in their mobile buying experience. Users are likely to abandon their order in the middle of the checkout procedure if it is too long or too unclear.

To prevent users from abandoning the app, here are some key tips. Firstly, make sure users know that the information or personal data they share will remain confidential and secure. Besides, present the different payment options clearly with the help of icons or visual elements. In short, don't confuse users; instead, keep everything straightforward.

At Last

In my opinion, a user-friendly interface is what sets the foundation of an app’s success. Aside from different visuals, the best mobile app designs allow users to quickly orient themselves in the app and understand the interface without any hassle. If you got more interesting mobile app screen ideas in mind, let me know in the comments below!