“Get your basics right. Rest will automatically fall into place” this is a common phrase we keep hearing whether it’s a coach mentoring his soccer team or an architect working on a house design. Whenever something is to be built, each step of the whole process becomes flawless if the basic structure has been ideated properly. Same is the case with UI design.

The concept behind designing any UI is simple. How conveniently can you take a user from point A to point B. Google and Apple might have a different take on the screen content priority, but Material Design and Human Interface guidelines emphasize taking the user from one screen to another in an intuitive manner.

Use of Animations vs. Clarity, Depth, and Deference

 Ever wondered what was wrong with the traditional flat design UI? Think like an end-user. When you open an application on your phone, you see two similar looking icons. At this point, how do you differentiate between clickable and non-clickable icons? This is what led to the introduction of material design. Supporting more dimensions, the use of shadows, animations, and pop-out effects enables the user to better interact with the UI.

On the contrary, if we talk about human interface of iOS, it is focused on three main aspects that include clarity, depth, and deference. A closer look at the designer guidelines reveals that however you design the UI, content must remain dominant. Furthermore, the use of lesser bezels is also encouraged to keep the application light.

Platform API: Making the Job Convenient for Designers

The renowned Platform API comes as a major facilitator for the UI designers. You can render a UI design in the OS you are running the application on. Additionally, you get to write the code for both Android and iOS platforms in the same component.

Select Method and Config Parameter

The smooth functioning of the platform API is ensured by the combination of Select Method and Config Parameter. Where the Select method returns the most suitable value for the platform, the Config parameter sets the key from the list as per the OS the application is running on. The key list includes:

·       Android

·       iOS

·       Native

·       Default

All these keys accept values in any format. However, if you are using the application on your phone, the Config parameter sets Android or iOS keys. On the other hand, Native key takes precedence when the application is running on windows.

What makes Fireblade Add-On Imperative?

The process of UI design goes from creating wireframes in Adobe XD and then exporting those designs into React Native. However, design elements get disrupted leading to more confusion and rework while doing so. This is where add-ons like Fireblade come into play. They act as an integration tool for you to export design wireframes from Adobe XD to React Native. All this can be done in three simple steps that include:

1.     Install Fireblade Add-On in Adobe XD

2.     Export Adobe XD Project using Fireblade

3.     Import Designs from Adobe XD into React Native

Although this sounds quite easy, you still need to ensure that the imported design elements are not disrupted at any level as it might require a little manual adjustment.

Components: Easier to Use but Require Maximum Attention

The inclusion of components has made life easier for the UI designers. This is because it encourages reusability as the presence of a component across the application makes the one on the main screen act as a parent while all other act as child level instances. So when you need to make a change, you just have to change the component on the main screen and that change will reflect across the application wherever the instance of that component is present.

However, this feature should not come as a pyrrhic because it makes exporting UI designs more challenging. A little disruption at the main component level can create ripples all over the application. Therefore, while using components, you should be as much attentive as you can so that everything keeps functioning in a smooth fashion.