Design Best Practices

Android

500PX1

This app for photographers nailed it. It offers multiple and clear login options and has successfully translated the platform’s explorative quality. Visually exceptional, 500px uses dark colors for controls that help to enhance pictures.

Google Drive

This cloud-based storage service and document collaboration tool keeps its main features at the center while at the same time including editing elements as well. It is ideal for users who change frequently between their desktop computers and mobile devices.

The Guardian

The English newspaper makes an extensive use of native elements and, at the same time, keeps its own corporate identity, using headers as the strongest element of communication. Likewise, it establishes clear hierarchies for reading texts and contemplates accessibility features, such as zooming in on fonts.

iOS

National Parks

On both the iPhone and the iPad, the attention to detail evident in this app from National Geographic is absolutely astonishing. The different screens enable the appreciation of the fair use of textures with transitions that add value to the concept. Layout hierarchies are very clear, thus favoring the interpretation of content.

Google Maps

This highly anticipated iPhone app has not disappointed. Since its launch, Google has demonstrated that it sets its own rules wherever it goes. The app makes a conscious use of space; each screen displays elements in direct relation to current needs, hiding and highlighting only what’s necessary. It is simple and robust at the same time.

Instapaper

One of the pioneers of the read it later concept, Marco Arment’s text reading app is super polished, and everything revolves around the main idea: making reading easy. Flexible at every moment, it is capable of hiding unnecessary controls and switching to night mode to adapt to low light conditions.

Windows Phone

Spotify

The online music service has found a great way to adapt to the Windows Phone proposal. It uses branding on patterns like Panorama and Pivot Control in a way that only a handful other apps can. It has an excellent balance of features, branding and consistency with the operating system.

Twitter

At a glance, we know it’s Twitter’s app, and that’s saying a lot. They’ve found a way to strike a balance between native elements and visual identity without diverging from Microsoft’s proposed guidelines. It is a clear example of a content-centered application.

Tumblr

The microblogging platform understood the mobile environment, and their answer was a simple and effective app. The features familiar to web users are maintained in an app that is focused on the exploration of visual material and the ability to publish content quickly.