Video Title: How I Make Apps FEEL 10x Better (5 Design Secrets)
Video ID: 8mMH6Pq8qnE
Video URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mMH6Pq8qnE
Export Date: 2026-04-30 12:58:57
Channel: Chris Raroque
Format: markdown
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# How to Design Apps That Feel 10x Better Than Default iOS Apps: 5 Advanced Tips

If you’ve ever wondered how some apps just feel more polished, engaging, and fun to use than the standard iOS apps, you’re not alone. Chris, a productivity app developer, shares his advanced design techniques that help his apps stand out and provide a superior user experience. In this post, we’ll break down his top tips for elevating your app design beyond the basics.

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## 1. Add Dimension with Thoughtful Interactions & Animations

Most default iOS apps have very static interfaces—tab switches happen instantly with no animation. Chris advocates for adding smooth, meaningful animations to create a more dynamic experience.

- **Example:** In his budgeting app Luna, switching between tabs slides the new page in from the side instead of appearing instantly.
- **Advanced animation:** In his app Ellie, when users dictate tasks to an AI assistant, the send button rotates into a checkmark, the background expands from the microphone icon, and the listening text fades with spring animations. These layered effects create a satisfying and premium feel.
- **Pro tip:** Use AI coding tools like Claude Code to help build complex animations by breaking them down into smaller sub-animations instead of trying to generate the whole sequence at once.

Animations might seem small, but when applied consistently throughout your app, they significantly improve the overall user experience.

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## 2. Use Custom Illustrations, Especially for Empty States

Empty states (screens with no data) are often overlooked and only feature simple text, but custom illustrations can add personality and delight.

- Chris uses a ghost mascot named Lily in his meeting assistant app. He creates various illustrations of Lily doing different activities based on the app’s state (searching, taking notes, etc.).
- With AI tools like ChatGPT, you can generate countless variations of a base illustration by feeding it reference images and creative prompts.
- **Recommendation:** If possible, commission an artist to create a base mascot or illustration to give your app a unique and original style. It’s more affordable than you might expect.
- Going further, animating these illustrations (using tools like Rive) can add another layer of polish and engagement.

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## 3. Enhance Tactile Experience with Haptic Feedback

Haptic feedback provides subtle vibrations when users tap buttons, adding a physical dimension to interactions that makes tapping more satisfying.

- Chris notes that Apple’s own apps rarely use haptics, likely due to accessibility and battery considerations. However, smaller apps can leverage this to enhance engagement.
- In Luna, nearly every button click includes haptic feedback, with varying intensities depending on the action—lighter for frequent clicks, heavier for more significant interactions like changing tabs.
- When done right, haptics make users want to tap more, increasing enjoyment and immersion.

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## 4. Choose and Use Icons Thoughtfully

Icons may seem minor, but they greatly affect your app’s cohesion and aesthetic.

- Most iOS apps rely on Apple’s SF Symbols, which are generic and widely used.
- Chris prefers alternative icon sets like Hero Icons, especially the thin style, which gives a clean and minimal look.
- The style of icons (thin, thick, filled, or detailed) sends different messages and should align with your app’s vibe.
- Consistency is critical: mixing icon styles within your app can feel jarring and unpolished.
- A clever design trick is to use different icon styles to indicate states—for example, using thin icons for inactive tabs and heavier, filled icons for the active tab. This subtle change adds depth beyond just changing colors.

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## 5. Constantly Elevate Your Design Taste by Seeking Inspiration

Great design skills don’t come overnight—they develop through constant exposure and learning.

- Chris recommends following talented designers on Twitter to see cutting-edge work and bookmark inspiring designs.
- He also highlights **Mobbin**, a comprehensive design resource website with thousands of app screenshots showcasing real UI patterns, icon usage, layouts, and styles.
- Use Mobbin both for general inspiration and to answer specific design questions like “What icon style fits my app?” or “How do top apps design their tab bars?”
- Even just a few minutes browsing good design examples regularly can dramatically improve your design sense over time.

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## Final Thoughts

Making your app feel better than default iOS apps is not about one big feature but many small, intentional design decisions that add up. From animations and custom illustrations to haptics and icons, these thoughtful touches create a premium, polished, and fun user experience.

If a finance app like Luna can feel enjoyable and engaging, so can your app! For more on Chris’s general design process, including mood boarding and wireframing, check out his other videos. And if you want regular tips on building productivity apps, follow him on Instagram and TikTok.

Start applying these tips today and watch your app’s user experience transform!

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*Thanks for reading! Feel free to share your own design tips or questions in the comments.*