Apps We Love: Design Secrets of Popular Indian Apps — 1 Minute Design

Pankaj kukreti
2 min readApr 8, 2024

Every app you use tells a story — a story of user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design. From the seamless checkout flow of a shopping app to the intuitive navigation of a news app, understanding the nuances of each category is crucial for any aspiring or practicing UI/UX designer.

This guide dives into the most popular app categories in India, highlighting the key considerations for each.

Shopping:

  • Flipkart, Myntra, Meesho: Here, information architecture and product presentation are paramount. Users expect clear product categories, easy search filters, and high-quality product images.

Finance:

  • PhonePe, Paytm, Google Pay: Security and trust are at the forefront. Clean interfaces with clear transaction details and intuitive payment flows are essential.

Social Media:

  • ShareChat, WhatsApp, Instagram: Engagement is king. UI elements should encourage interaction, with features like easy content sharing, commenting, and messaging.

Entertainment:

  • MX TakaTak, Hotstar, YouTube: Content discovery and seamless playback are key. UI should prioritize discoverability of content and effortless navigation between videos.

Productivity:

  • Google Drive, ShareIt, MX Player: Efficiency is the goal. Interfaces should be clean and uncluttered, with features designed to optimize workflow and information accessibility.

News:

  • Times of India, NDTV, BBC News: Clear and concise information delivery is crucial. Prioritize easy navigation through news categories and a clean layout for quick and easy reading.

Travel:

  • MakeMyTrip, IRCTC Rail Connect, OYO Rooms: Streamlining the booking process is key. The UI should guide users through booking steps intuitively, while providing clear travel information.

Food and Drink:

  • Zomato, Swiggy, Domino’s: Ordering should be a breeze. Prioritize a user-friendly layout with clear menus, search options, and easy checkout processes.

Health and Fitness:

  • Practo, Cult.fit, HealthifyMe: Usability meets motivation. The UI should be easy to navigate, with features that track progress and motivate users to stay on track.

Job and Business:

  • LinkedIn, Naukri.com, Shine: Connecting the right people needs a clear path. Focus on building a user interface that allows for efficient job searching, profile creation, and communication.

Cloud Storage:

  • Google Drive, Dropbox, JioCloud: Accessibility and ease of use reign supreme. Navigation should be intuitive, allowing users to easily upload, download, and manage their files.

By understanding the unique needs of each category, you can hone your UI/UX design skills and create interfaces that not only look great but truly enhance the user experience. So, the next time you open a popular app, take a moment to analyze its design choices. You might be surprised at how much you learn!

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That’s One Minute for Today!

I’m on a mission to break down complex design concepts into bite-sized, easy-to-understand pieces. Stay tuned for more lightning-fast design insights coming your way!

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