Redesigning an existing app is much more than just changing its appearance. It’s a strategic process that involves rethinking the user experience (UX) and user interface (UI), with the goal of improving user efficiency, satisfaction, and retention. When done correctly, a redesign can transform your digital product, preserving what works well and enhancing areas with issues. Let’s explore how this process is effectively conducted and the key factors that ensure its success.
1. Identifying User Needs
The first essential step for any redesign is to deeply understand what users need. We use Design Thinking approaches, a user-centered methodology that helps us uncover the real needs of the target audience. This process goes beyond assumptions or internal opinions. We apply research techniques like user interviews, usability testing, and behavior analysis, which are essential for mapping the user journey and identifying pain points.
As Donald Norman highlights in his classic book The Design of Everyday Things, the success of a product depends on its ability to meet the needs of real users, not just the preferences of designers or stakeholders. This assessment forms the foundation for any future decisions in the redesign process.
2. Heuristic Evaluation of the Current App
Before starting to design a new interface, it’s crucial to conduct a heuristic evaluation of the current app. This analysis, based on Jakob Nielsen’s 10 heuristics, helps us identify usability issues, such as:
• Confusing navigation: Do users struggle to understand how to move between screens?
• Insufficient feedback: Does the system inform users in real-time about what is happening?
• Consistency and standardization: Does the interface use familiar and consistent conventions across all screens?
By applying Nielsen’s heuristics, we aim to find flaws that affect user efficiency and satisfaction. For example, the heuristic of recognition over recall emphasizes the importance of making actions and options visible and intuitive, so users don’t need to memorize complex commands or options.
Additionally, Design Thinking allows us to approach the problem from multiple perspectives, ensuring that the final interface not only fixes technical issues but is also pleasant and intuitive for the user. This method also promotes iteration, where prototypes are constantly tested and refined, ensuring an effective final solution.
3. Redesign Process: Applying UI/UX Best Practices
With user needs mapped and a complete heuristic evaluation, we begin the actual redesign. This phase involves creating wireframes, prototypes, and mockups, always applying the best UI/UX practices. The goal is to simplify interaction without sacrificing important functionalities.
Here, we use concepts like Hick’s Law, which argues that complexity should be reduced so users can make quick and accurate decisions. The information hierarchy is also carefully analyzed, ensuring that the most important elements of the interface stand out. However, the great challenge of redesign is not only improving what needs improvement but also preserving the essence of the app.
Sudden changes can cause resistance, especially among users accustomed to the previous interface. Therefore, the redesign process needs to be delicate, respecting what already works well and promoting a natural evolution of the interface, not a revolution.
4. Client Approval and Development
After the design phase, the prototype is validated with the client, who checks if the new design meets the project’s expectations and objectives. Only after this approval do we move to development, where ideas come to life.
During development, best practices of agile development are applied to ensure a fast and efficient delivery. Tests are conducted at every stage, ensuring that the new app is functional and offers an optimized experience aligned with the new design.
Process Efficiency: Proven Results
This process, involving research, heuristic evaluation, Design Thinking, redesign, and development, has proven to be effective. Companies that undergo a well-executed redesign report a significant increase in user satisfaction, a reduction in support tickets, and greater engagement.
And now, how can we help?
At Vista Pub, we have applied this process for various clients, always aiming to improve the digital experience without losing the essence of the product. If your app needs a redesign, we are ready to help you transform your digital tool into something more intuitive, efficient, and visually appealing.
Contact us to learn more about how we can assist with your redesign project!
