Save Time Save Money, Use Default Features

Default features or use built-in libraries   

By using default features, we can turn good apps into great apps, there are times designers don’t prefer to use the default features because it looks boring to them. But if they really know the worth of the design and what was involved in making it then they will start recommending it. for example, if you use default input fields or time or date picker then developers easily develop the app by using these feature, but if you make a customized design and implement various animation/ transitions then they will have to write a code for that particular process and it takes too much time. Sometimes we find free libraries from various websites like cocoa-controls, material.io, github are some of the great web tools which provide great free libraries. Even though there are free libraries it’s necessary to have the understanding about your product whether it is universal or works on some particular device, because implemented libraries sometimes work on one version but not on others. For example, the transitions work perfectly on Jelly Bean, but not on KitKat…or working perfectly on iOS but not on android or website. Defaults are the values or settings that come out of the box. They might not seem like much, but defaults (and their designers) hold immense power — they make great decisions for users.

What things matter

So before designing an app try to make it simple, play with color themes, make creative logos, if implementing some transitions then confirm it the developers whether it's easy to embed or not. For general usage try to use default features and focus on the project proposal also how much your client is willing to give you for your keen effort. 

Clients perspective:

Sometimes client’s main focus is on functionality instead of its looks, so it's a job of your client service department to convince the client and explain what's in your mind, also getting the clients thoughts on what you are explaining is equally important. A good listener will be a great project manager because he is the one who collaborates with the client and the developing team.

Where default features works?

Default Input Fields

Filling out a long form can sometimes be enough reason for the user to go somewhere else, where the process is easier. By providing good default fields, you save the user from the hassle of selecting all the relevant choices. Date and time picker, if we use default features for this purpose then the user can easily use it and developers can easily implement it. 

Use default features where the majority of your users will want

Pre-populate fields with the value if you can determine it in advance, be sure that a large portion of your users will select that value. People scan forms quickly online so don’t assume they will take the time to parse through all the choices. They simply may blithely skip by something that already has a value.

Smart defaults:

for popups and notifications purpose try to use default features, you can try to change its color with respect to your design theme but its better to keep it simple. In less time period developers can easily make these popups. 

Don’t use defaults for input fields that require user attention

Try not to use defaults for anything that requires user thought e.g. signing up for newsletters.

Contact a short survey before implementing default features

Use default settings when it is possible for the app to make qualified guesses regarding what the user might choose. By Conducting a short research try to find how people use your product. Don’t just ask users what they want in the product, find out how to best fulfill their goals and build your defaults around that. 

It's better to use material design default features while making android apps

The material design makes more liberal use of grid-based layouts, responsive animations and transitions, padding, and depth effects such as lighting and shadows. by implementing simple features of material design you can able to design a very creative app, Material Design for web application user interfaces is known as the polymer. 

Try to avoid gradients/embossed effects, the simple flat design makes more sense. Don’t forget to share your design on Zeplin because developers get the knowledge about fonts, color theme from it. References are very necessary for the designer so it's better to ask your clients that if they have any good example then it's better to share it. because in the end, your product will have a competition with competitors so if you already know what feature already exists, what is eye capturing which is missing in your competitor's product then it will create a great impact on your user's mind. Alway try to design a new app/web with acceptable features. more features only developed after considering feedback from initial users. it's what people usually call MVP product Most Viable Product, a product with just enough features to satisfy early customers and to provide feedback for future development. MVP product is valuable from strategic planning to tactical execution, we will have to figure out what will have to build, when, why and how we will achieve our goal. 

“‘Make something people want.’ That’s the fundamental problem. If you die, it’s probably because you didn’t make something people wanted.”

Paul Graham, Investor, Co-Founder of Y-Combinator