Apps live or die by their experience
People download apps quickly and delete them even faster. If an app is confusing on the first open, asks for too much information or makes a simple task feel complicated, users abandon it and rarely come back. App stores are full of good ideas with poor experiences. Mobile app UI and UX design is what turns an idea into a product people understand instantly, enjoy using and recommend to others.
At IHI Marketing we design iOS and Android apps for startups, retailers, service providers, clinics, delivery businesses, fintech and internal company tools in Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the USA. Our designers think about the user, the business model and the technical build at the same time, and every design is created for both Arabic and English users.
What our app design service includes
Product discovery
We clarify who the app is for, what problem it solves, which features are essential for the first version and how the app will make money or save cost. This prevents the common mistake of building too much before learning what users actually value.
User research
Interviews, surveys and competitor analysis to understand user needs, habits and expectations. For existing apps, we study analytics and app store reviews, which often reveal exactly where users struggle.
User flows and information architecture
We map every journey: onboarding, sign-up, search, ordering, payment, booking, notifications and settings, making each path as short and clear as possible.
Wireframes
Low-fidelity screens that define layout and content priorities. We iterate here quickly before investing in detailed visual design.
UI design
Polished screens that reflect your brand, follow platform guidelines from Apple and Google, and use clear typography, color, icons and spacing for touch screens of every size.
Interactive prototypes
Clickable prototypes that feel like the real app. They are used for user testing, stakeholder presentations, investor pitches and as a reference for developers.
Design system and handoff
A component library with states, variants and rules, plus specifications and assets so developers can build the app accurately and efficiently in Flutter, React Native or native code.
Designing for the first minute
The first minute in an app decides whether a user stays. We pay special attention to onboarding: explaining value in a few screens or none at all, asking for permissions only when needed, allowing guest browsing when possible, and making sign-up fast with phone number, Apple or Google login. In the Middle East, phone number verification by SMS or WhatsApp is often the most natural sign-up method.
Arabic app design
Many apps in the region are designed in English and then flipped for Arabic, leading to broken layouts, wrong icon directions and text that does not fit. We design both directions together. We choose Arabic fonts that are readable on small screens, adjust line heights, handle mixed Arabic and English content, and make sure gestures, swipe directions and progress indicators feel natural for right-to-left users.
Common app features we design
- E-commerce: product catalogs, filters, cart, checkout, order tracking and loyalty points.
- Booking: appointments for clinics, salons, services and classes with calendars and reminders.
- Delivery and on-demand: maps, live tracking, driver and customer apps.
- Fintech: wallets, payments, transfers and dashboards with clear security cues.
- Education: courses, video lessons, quizzes and progress tracking.
- Internal tools: field service, inventory, approvals and reporting for teams.
Our process
- Discovery workshop: goals, users, features and success metrics.
- Research: users, competitors and existing data.
- Flows and wireframes: structure of every key journey.
- Visual direction: style exploration based on your brand.
- UI design: all screens and states, including empty, loading and error states that are often forgotten.
- Prototype and testing: usability tests with real users and improvements.
- Handoff and support: design system, specs and collaboration with developers during the build.
Details that make apps feel professional
Great apps handle the small moments well: what users see when there is no internet, when a search returns nothing, when a payment fails or when they wait for something to load. We design these states carefully, add helpful micro-copy and subtle animations, and make sure tap targets are large enough and important actions are reachable with one hand.
Measuring app UX
We define metrics such as onboarding completion, activation rate, task success, conversion to purchase or booking, retention after 1, 7 and 30 days, and app store ratings. After launch we review these numbers and recommend design improvements that move them.
From design to launch and growth
Our mobile development team can build the app you design with us, and our marketing team can help you launch it with app install campaigns, store optimization and growth marketing. Tell us about your app idea and we will help you define a smart first version.
Want this working for your business?
Book a free 30-minute call. You get a clear plan and a written quote within 48 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you design for both iOS and Android?
Yes. We design a consistent experience across both platforms while respecting each one's conventions, such as navigation patterns and system components.
Can you design an app before we have developers?
Yes. Many clients start with design and a clickable prototype to validate the idea, raise funding or get accurate quotes from developers.
How long does app design take?
A minimum viable product usually takes 4 to 8 weeks of research and design. Larger apps with many roles and features take longer.
Do you redesign existing apps?
Yes. We audit your current app, analytics and store reviews, then redesign the screens and flows that cause the most friction.
Will the app support Arabic properly?
Yes. We design right-to-left layouts, Arabic typography and bilingual switching from the start, not as an afterthought.
