Start with user flows
Before designing any screens, map out how users will move through your app. Understanding these paths helps create a more logical and efficient app structure.
User flows are diagrams showing each step users take to complete tasks in your app. These flows reveal potential problems early and guide which screens actually need to be designed.
Key principles for creating user flows:
- Base on research: Use real user behavior data to determine common paths, not assumptions
- Show full journey: Map every step from start to completion for each main task
- Identify friction: Spot potential problems before investing in detailed designs
- Guide development: Use flows to determine which screens are truly necessary
Pro Tip: Integrate testing from the early stages of your app development process to foresee technical gaps, usability issues, or other inconsistencies before you spend hours implementing things that don't work.