5. Mobile Design Patterns

As developers, most of you are already familiar with the term “design patterns.” For developers, design patterns refer to specific software or programming problems that can be solved by using a specific abstract solution. For the purposes of this book, however, we will speak of design patterns as it relates specifically to the design and user interface of your application. Design patterns are helpful ways of addressing common design problems. They are helpful and commonly accepted UI solutions to challenges encountered in mobile design. As mobile evolves, more patterns have emerged to assist designers in addressing common design challenges. As you design your application, you will undoubtedly come upon some of these challenges. Understanding how other designers have found unique and sometimes innovative solutions to these challenges will help you with designing your app by allowing you to focus on functionality as opposed to reinventing the wheel. Because mobile design patterns are accepted best practice solutions that users are familiar with, you adapt them for your application without worrying too much about users being familiar with them.