HN Explorer

Ask HN: Review UI of my app - Addpiks

16 points by feelin_tired ↗ HN
Hi

We are currently looking to source some feedback on the UI for our shiny new (free) iphone app, Addpiks, and a friend, Swombat, said HN is the place to ask. So here we are...

Would really appreciate any inputs on the UI whether its just from the screenshots at

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/addpiks/id407488046?mt=8

or even better from an actual app itself (iphone only currently, sorry android guys)

Thanks Iqbal

15 comments

[ 1.9 ms ] story [ 31.5 ms ] thread
Sodaware
I'd change the perspective on the icons so they're flat, rather than at a slight angle. They look a little out of place to me.

Also, the CSS and all images on http://www.addpiks.com/ are returning 404 errors.

feelin_tired
blame the techie for playing when he should not, fixed :-)
tomelders
This will sound harsh because I'm going to keep it short, and it's also pretty harsh.

Nothing in the UI looks considered. None of the elements seem to have space to breath. The colour palate isn't one I would have chosen. Overall, it looks amateur.

That said, it's clear what each element does and what the UI is trying to tell you. So it isn't a UI disaster, but the experience of looking at it isn't pleasant.

As with all the apps I download, free or not; If I were to choose between this app and a similar app with a nicer UI, i'd go with the nicer UI because it implies quality. What constitutes "nicer"? You'll know it when you see it. As will everyone else.

feelin_tired
Interesting, not sure how this fits in with post prior to yours about lacking focus, i.e Is it clear what each element does or not (perhaps two diff viewpoints).

Trying to define nicer...tom tks for feedback

pedrokost
There is no focus in the app. I have no idea what to do when I see the UI.

Try removing all the unnecessary lines and complexities, such as the borders of the images, the dividing line between the top bar ("Journal") and the subheading("recent"). Remove the gap at the bottom between green stripe and the phone UI.

I think there are too many colors, that don't match well. You could make the color of the titles ("Dress I need...") like the color of the UI.

That would probably make the app easier on the eye.

Then you could also not italicize the description of each item ("Me, 61-73...") to make it easier to read.

On the right screenshot: Don't allow titles of images be too long. "Movies to Wa..." seems broken, use "Movies" instead.

Hope this helps. These observations are only based on the screenshots provided, I haven't tried the app.

feelin_tired
Awesome, tks for feedback, please do try the app, for a better feel. Its amazing what you don't see when you are building the app...tks again
pedrokost
Not everyone has an iPhone. I don't.
LeonW
Hi Iqbal, really like the app. I totally understand what I am supposed to do and see a clear purpos. I know this feedback might not be overly helpful to you, but I have nothing else on my fingertips right now. :)
ozziegooen
I personally like like interface. It may be a bit cluttered, as some suggested. But "no focus"? Really?

One thing that is quite confusing from the given pictures are the given descriptions. I kind of get that I could make notes of those products, but the specific examples you gave are really poor. It's hard to tell what's default text and what the user has inputed. (For the first and third screenshot)

1st shot: It took me quite a while to realize that the big text in green is inputed by the user, and the stuff in the grey is the location (I thought that was the note!). I'd suggest first changing the name "Dress I need" to something like "Remember to purchase", "Dress I need" threw me off. For location, write "Place: _____"

While these may not be needed for the user, they would make that first screenshot much more obvious.

feelin_tired
Ozzie, tks for that, I like the Place: notion it makes sense, am thinking the order of the screenshots needs to be altered also, tks again, will take on board for next update. If you have anything else there is a feedback button in the app itself (if you wish to try it) and you can add up/down vote ideas there also.....should hv seen the first version :-)
feelin_tired
Ozzie, we made the change to the appstore screen shot (well the first one), to highlight what is user content and what is not, will work on the text and screenshot order next. tks again for feedback.