Can a graphic designer do the work of a mobile designer?

The answer is “yes, but…”

When working in the interaction space, specifically mobile, design is no longer about a flat visual experience: design is the emotion, interaction, and usability, all of which define the experience.

While a visual designer may be able to create a beautiful interface, the actual product definition and interaction is more valuable. Most users aren’t going to use an app and say “wow, loved that use of negative space” — they’ll instead say “ wow, this app feels so good, its just so smooth and cool.”

With a mobile app, the end-user needs to be able to find their info quickly and logically. When they’re looking for how to find something or achieve a goal, it should be obvious where that action exists, but more importantly, the user should be pushed into that next action, and once they’ve completed it, the user needs to have a suggestion of what to do next, even something like a message that says “Great! Now why don’t you do x.” This helps them feel good AFTER they’ve completed the action of achieving their goal, bringing them back into the flow of the app.

This product thinking is all part of the design process, but it’s less about the visual process. Graphic designers generally aren’t taught to think that way, though it doesn’t mean they can’t. I’ve found that in the mobile app space, experience is very significant, and while one designer may cost more than another, the experience they may have to offer will not only save you money, but make you money in the long run.

Originally published at swarmnyc.com.