Android App for File Sharing Platform

As a Senior Designer for Files.com I was tasked with adapting the features of Files.com responsive web app into a fully native Android app.

Discovery Phase

During the discovery phase, I set out to gain an understanding of the features and functionality available in the app by:

1. Cataloging all the app’s features in a site-map

2. Laying out the user-flows using screenshots of the available web app.

3. Visualize how similar apps presented their features and UX flows through a competitive analysis

Design

The 1st step in the Design phase was to simplify the overly complex set of features of the web app, into a mobile experience that would follow the UI specifications from Android's Material Design.

Through discussion with stakeholders, I produced a set of wireframes that could help us visualize the redesigned app and its new features.

With the wireframes approved, I applied the components and guidelines from Material Design into a hi-fi Figma mockup that served as documentation for developers.

Development

During development, we found that some of the features in the mockup needed to be adjusted to better match the underlying technology.

I worked hand-in-hand with the development team to maintain the design's integrity while adjusting to the technical constraints.

Closing Thoughts

What did I learn?

• This project helped me become intimately familiar with Google's Material Design principles and how they compare to Apple's Human Interface Guidelines.

• I had an opportunity to apply Figma’s time-saving features like auto-layout, nested components, and component library into a full-scale mobile app.

What would I do differently?

• I'd make sure to include the development team earlier on in the process, so they can help us identify if any new features may pose a problem with the underlying technology.