Creative Freedom in Mobile Design
Mobile standards ease transition and ensure quality but what’s the cost?
The interface change between the last release of Lane (2.9.11) and the new version (3.0.17) has a lot to do with React Native making the most of iOS and Android standard functions. Sticking to these conventions makes it easier for members to learn and use our platform and provides us with an opportunity to be creative in the limited UI design scope.
One of the most notable changes is the scrolling list view. In its earliest stages, Lane’s content was visually presented on cards, that would shuffle through in captivating animation. However, this created many problems in terms of the application’s early development. Currently, the content is displayed as a scroll which limits most design options of the content preview. Lane has adapted a popular interface found in most major applications (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, etc).
Another stark difference would be icon choice. Nowadays, iOS and Android have signature icons that represent certain functions across all major applications. As a growing platform, it may be beneficial to adopt these icons to ease transition into the app for new users and members but in doing so, it decreases Lane’s design autonomy and app differentiation.
Other changes include using mobile-type alerts for notifications, using the swipe action for side-menus or page changes, specific input types, and much more.
Although it seems like the age of assimilation in applications has taken over, it is entirely possible that with the growth of React Native and our further exploration comes a way to integrate more design opportunities and to better the Lane interface. Some may hesitate as such an endeavour would require a major haul of user feedback, but Lane will do so in order to continually improve our product.
For more information visit www.joinlane.com or email us at info@joinlane.com
