When defining your project, you will need to know on which platform it will live.
The most common platforms for UI/UX projects generally land on one of the following:
- Web
- Desktop
- Tablet
- Mobile
- iOS app
- Android app
- Other
- TV app
- Smartwatch app
- Car app
- ...
Each platform comes with its own constraints and specificities. Even though you don't need to know all of them, you need to know the following:
- Screen sizes and screen position
- Different interactions principles
Project platforms
| Tags | Name (Device reference) | Screen size reference (px) | Interaction principles |
|---|---|---|---|
Web | Large desktop | 1920x1080 | CursorKeyboard |
Web | Desktop | 1440x900 | CursorKeyboard |
WebiOS appAndroid app | Tablet (iPad Pro 11") | 834x1194 | TouchKeyboardPencilSwipe |
WebiOS appAndroid app | Mobile (iPhone 11) | 375x812 | TouchKeyboardSwipe |
WebiOS appAndroid app | Mobile small (iPhone SE) | 320x568 | TouchKeyboardSwipe |
iOS appAndroid app | Smartwatch (Apple Watch 44mm) | 184x224 | TouchDigial Crown |
TV app | TV screen | 1920x1080 | Remote |
Common mistakes with UI/UX projects are
- Not leveraging the power of keyboard shortcuts for desktop (especially relevant for power users)
- Not leveraging swipes for mobile usage
- Not start 'mobile first' for all Web projects
Next up
Information architecture
Dive deeper
| Subject | Link |
|---|---|
Designing for tvOS vs other devices with interaction in mind | |
Pixel density for Android | |
Pixel density for iOS | |
The Ultimate Guide To iPhone Resolutions |