How do you handle a client who prioritizes aesthetics over usability in your mobile design proposals?

Handling a client who prioritizes aesthetics over usability in design requires a balanced approach. I begin by understanding their vision, acknowledging that aesthetics are crucial for branding and first impressions. I then gently educate them on the importance of integrating usability, explaining that a beautiful design must also be functional to retain users. Data and user research back up my points, showing how usability leads to better outcomes. I provide visual comparisons and suggest designs that merge their aesthetic goals with UX improvements. By focusing on collaboration and user-centered storytelling, I help clients see how balanced design meets both their needs and user expectations.

When dealing with clients or stakeholders who prioritize aesthetics over usability in mobile design proposals, I emphasize the importance of user experience. I explain that while a visually appealing design is essential, it must not come at the expense of functionality. A design that prioritizes aesthetics over usability can lead to a poor user experience, which ultimately affects customer satisfaction. If users struggle to navigate or use the app effectively, they are less likely to return or recommend it. Balancing aesthetics with usability is crucial to ensure both an engaging and functional product that meets user needs and expectations.

I’ll explain that usability and aesthetics are like two sides of the same coin. Both are essential for creating a successful product. For example, think of a luxury car. Its sleek design (aesthetic) might attract buyers, but if the car's controls are difficult to use or the dashboard is cluttered (usability issues), the driving experience will be frustrating. A beautiful car that's hard to drive isn't practical, just as a visually stunning app that's hard to use will frustrate users and drive them away. Balancing both ensures a product that is not only pleasing to look at but also functional and user-friendly.

To quote Rams, a good user experience is beautiful. Although I might have a slightly different perspective from others here, the crucial understanding is defining what they mean. I find that often the question of aesthetics is effectively cargo culting, and the client sees something that works without understanding the mechanics. Part of this is handled through understanding the problem to be solved and educating about experience design. So, involve them in the research and capturing the 'why statements'.

Avec mon expérience, j’ai constaté que les clients sont convaincus par les chiffres et les faits concrets. Mon approche commence par une analyse approfondie de la cible, segmentée selon l’age, les intérêts, et le comportement d’achat, ainsi que des concurrents. Ensuite, je me concentre sur des indicateurs clés KPI comme le taux de conversion, les ventes, et la notoriété, en démontrant comment une fonctionnalité bien con?ue peut générer des résultats mesurables. L’esthétique complète la fonctionnalité, mais ne la remplace jamais. Je parle le langage du business, car même si le client ne ma?trise pas les termes UX ou accessibilité, il comprend l’importance de résultats tangibles, adaptés à son marché, et orientés vers la performance.

Share real-world examples where aesthetic-focused designs failed due to poor usability, leading to issues like high bounce rates or low conversion rates. Use data from usability studies, showing how even subtle improvements can dramatically enhance user satisfaction. This evidence helps clients understand that investing in usability isn’t just practical; it’s essential for long-term success.

Just Keep it Simple, clients want revenue, profit, border want results, in less time. And users also want the same, a simple way to go from A to B, reducing the learning curve. The best way convencing stakeholders is showing great samples on the market that proves the user experience should be the main focus, not the UI or astetics.

Es fundamental comenzar por comprender a fondo los objetivos, necesidades y expectativas del cliente, lo cual se obtiene a través de un diálogo abierto y detallado. A partir de esta información, se desarrolla el dise?o en etapas, asegurando la colaboración continua con el cliente. De este modo, el cliente puede involucrarse en el proceso y entender cómo y por qué su interfaz o producto evoluciona de cierta manera. Al final, la estética y la usabilidad deben ser elementos complementarios. Si se trabaja de manera conjunta y con un acuerdo claro, la usabilidad prevalecerá sin sacrificar el atractivo visual, logrando un equilibrio que beneficie al usuario final.

By uniting aesthetics and usability, we can create mobile designs that not only captivate users but also drive results. Use relatable examples to educate your clients. Let's always ensure to explore how harmonious design can elevate user experience and business success.

Quand un client privilégie l’esthétique, je recentre la discussion sur l’utilisateur final, en m’appuyant sur une analyse concurrentielle. J’examine comment les leaders du marché optimisent leur expérience utilisateur (UX) pour maximiser l’engagement, en alignant leur design sur les attentes et comportements de leurs utilisateurs. Si le client me montre un produit de luxe alors qu’il cible un marché plus accessible, je lui explique que les attentes en matière d’UX diffèrent. Un design doit être adapté aux personas spécifiques, en prenant en compte leur contexte d’utilisation, leurs frustrations et leurs motivations. L’utilisateur est toujours au centre de la stratégie, et le design doit répondre précisément à ses besoins pour être efficace.

I can suggest subtle design elements that enhance visual appeal without compromising usability, such as elegant typography, thoughtful color schemes, or tasteful animations. These compromises will align with your aesthetic vision while maintaining the app's functionality and user experience.

Suggest design elements that blend beauty with function, like choosing a color palette that’s both visually striking and accessible, or typography that’s stylish yet easy to read. Propose A/B testing to find a balance that satisfies both aesthetic and usability goals. Emphasize that this approach allows the design to be both appealing and effective, ensuring it meets user needs while aligning with the client's vision.

Pour fixer des objectifs clairs avec mon client, je commence par une compréhension approfondie du projet via un brief détaillé, essentiel pour tout designer UX. Le brief, véritable ordinateur de bord, est la première étape dans la phase de découverte. Il inclut des critères esthétiques, fonctionnels, et des références, permettant d’aligner la vision du client avec les besoins du projet. Ce document guide toutes les décisions, assurant que chaque étape du design répond à la fois aux attentes visuelles et fonctionnelles. Sans un brief bien établi, il est impossible de créer un design UX/UI performant. Le client, en tant que roi, doit être bien compris, et ce guide permet de définir une vision partagée qui garantira la réussite du projet.

Cuando se habla de darle prioridad a la usabilidad, no significa que no pueda coexistir con la estética, sino todo lo contrario, la estética le aporta a la usabilidad, y aun mas si el dise?o refleja la esencia de la marca y refuerza el mensaje.

Utilize prototyping to bridge the gap between aesthetics and usability. Create interactive prototypes that allow clients to experience the design's look and feel alongside its functionality. Demonstrate how users will interact with the design, showcasing the importance of usability in real-world scenarios. Prototyping not only helps clients visualize the end product but also provides an opportunity to gather feedback and iterate, ensuring both beauty and functionality are optimized.

“You are not your customer—nor am I or our design team—yet the data bear out that this customer has definitive habits which informed our design.”

Adhering to industry best practices ensures that your design aligns with proven standards of usability and aesthetics. Explain to clients how established guidelines, such as Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines or Google’s Material Design, help create intuitive, user-friendly interfaces that are also visually appealing. Highlight how these practices have been tested and refined over time, offering a reliable foundation that balances creativity with functionality, ultimately leading to a more successful product.

El dise?o reponsive es un factor muy importante, que lamentablemente aun hoy en día muchos clientes no le dan la importancia que merece, la usabilidad en dispositivos móviles tiene un reto mayor, ya que hay menos espacio y tiempo para captar la atención y exponer un mensaje. En este caso es crucial realizar procesos de testeo para saber si los usuarios responden bien al producto. Una opinión que no es respaldada por datos al final solo es eso, una opinión.