How to Make Your iOS App Feel 10x Better: Advanced Design Tips from a Productivity App Developer

If you’ve ever wondered how some apps manage to feel more polished, fun, and engaging than the standard iOS apps, you’re in the right place. Chris, a developer who builds productivity apps, shares his advanced design techniques that transform ordinary apps into delightful experiences. These practical tips go beyond basic wireframing and mood boarding, diving into ways to make your app stand out and feel premium.

1. Add Dimension with Interactions & Animations

Many default Apple apps have very minimal or no animations when switching tabs or interacting with UI elements, likely to accommodate a vast user base and accessibility concerns. But if you want your app to stand out, incorporating thoughtful animations can significantly enhance the user experience.

• Example: In Chris’s budgeting app, Luna, tab switches animate by sliding over from the previous page instead of appearing instantly.
• Advanced Animation: In Ellie, his AI-powered task app, a send button smoothly rotates into a checkmark, the background expands, and text fades with spring animations — creating a satisfying and polished effect.
• Pro Tip: Don’t expect AI tools like Claude Code to generate complex animations in one shot. Break down the animation into smaller parts (e.g., rotate arrow, fade text) and have the AI generate each component step-by-step using plain English commands. Apple’s animation APIs are well supported by current AI coding assistants.

2. Use Custom Illustrations — Especially for Empty States

Empty screens showing “No data” can feel bland and uninspiring. Custom illustrations breathe life into these moments and add personality to your app.

• Chris uses a ghost mascot named Lily in his meeting assistant app, which appears in various fun states like searching, taking notes, or drinking coffee.
• AI tools like ChatGPT can help generate many variations of a base mascot, but starting with a custom illustration from an artist is ideal.
• Consider commissioning an artist — it’s often more affordable than you think and results in a unique, original style.
• For an extra layer, animate these illustrations using tools like Rive, which can make your app feel even more dynamic and engaging.

3. Incorporate Haptic Feedback for Physical Interaction

Haptic feedback makes tapping buttons feel satisfying by providing subtle vibrations.

• While Apple’s default apps use haptics sparingly (likely due to battery or accessibility concerns), using them thoughtfully can make your app more fun and tactile.
• Chris’s Luna app applies different intensities of haptic feedback depending on the interaction — lighter vibrations for frequent clicks like entering transactions, heavier ones for tab changes.
• Properly implemented haptics encourage users to interact more because the physical feedback is addictive, much like clicking a pen.

4. Choose the Right Icons and Maintain Consistency

Icons may seem like a small detail, but they significantly affect the app’s aesthetic and user perception.

• Many apps rely on Apple’s SF Symbols, which are fine but generic.
• Chris prefers using icon packs like Hero Icons (thin style) for a clean and minimal look.
• The style of icons matters — thin, filled, or complex icons convey different feelings.
• Consistency is key: mixing icon styles within the same app reduces cohesion.
• For active states, consider switching icon styles (e.g., from thin to filled) instead of just changing colors to add subtle depth. This is a detail Apple’s apps often overlook.

5. Elevate Your Design Taste by Constant Exposure to Good Design

Great design skills develop over time through consistent exposure and study.

• Follow talented designers on Twitter to get daily inspiration and bookmark designs you like.
• Use design resource sites like Mobbin — a vast catalog of app screenshots showcasing layouts, icons, color palettes, and UI patterns from some of the best apps.
• Scroll through Mobbin regularly or use it to answer specific design questions (e.g., “What icon set fits my app’s style?”).
• Over time, this practice helps you internalize good design principles, identify what resonates with you, and refine your app’s aesthetic.

Final Thoughts

Making your app feel better than the default iOS experience isn’t about one magic trick — it’s a combination of many small, deliberate details: smooth animations, custom illustrations, tactile feedback, thoughtful icon choices, and continuously improving your design sensibility.

If Chris’s finance app Luna can feel fun and polished, so can yours. Start applying these tips today to create apps that users love to interact with.

Want to learn more about Chris’s design process, including mood boarding and wireframing?
Check out his earlier video linked in the description of his channel. For regular tips on building productivity apps, follow him on Instagram and TikTok, and don’t forget to subscribe for more helpful content.

Thanks for reading! Now go make your app stand out with these design secrets.