App Design That Users Actually Enjoy
Most apps get deleted within a week. I design the ones that stick around — with user research, thoughtful interfaces, and prototypes you can test before development starts.
Iowa-Based Mobile App UI/UX Design
Here's the thing about mobile apps: you probably have 80+ apps on your phone but only use about 10 regularly. The difference between those 10 and the rest? Thoughtful UX design. Apps that understand what users need, make it easy to accomplish, and look good while doing it.
I design mobile app interfaces for iOS and Android that people want to keep on their phones. Starting with user research and wireframes, moving through visual design and interactive prototypes, to final handoff-ready files for your development team. Every screen, interaction, and user flow is intentional.
Based in Dubuque, Iowa, I work with businesses across Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Des Moines, and throughout the state. Whether you have developers in-house or need design files ready for an external team, I'll create designs that are both beautiful and buildable.
App Design Services
From user research to developer handoff, I handle the full UI/UX design process for mobile apps.
User Research & Testing
Understand your users before designing a single screen
Wireframes & Prototypes
Test ideas quickly before investing in visual design
Visual Design
Beautiful interfaces that follow iOS and Android guidelines
Design Systems
Reusable components that keep your app consistent
App Icon & Branding
Stand out in the App Store with memorable branding
Handoff-Ready Files
Developer-ready designs in Figma with specs and assets
User Experience Meets Visual Design
A beautiful app with confusing navigation is useless. A functional app that looks like it was designed in 2010 won't get used. Great app design requires both — and that's what you'll get.
I start by understanding your users. Who are they? What are they trying to accomplish? What frustrates them about similar apps? From there, I create user flows and wireframes to map out the experience before touching any visual design.
Once the structure makes sense, I move into visual design — creating interfaces that follow platform conventions (iOS Human Interface Guidelines, Material Design for Android) without looking generic. Every color, font choice, and interaction is intentional.
You'll get interactive prototypes you can click through and test before any code is written. This is where we catch UX issues, test with real users, and iterate on the design when changes are cheap and easy. By the time development starts, we know exactly what we're building.
Apps We Build
From customer-facing apps to internal business tools, here are some of the types of mobile apps I create:
- Business & Productivity Apps
- E-commerce & Shopping Apps
- Booking & Scheduling Apps
- Social & Community Apps
- Health & Fitness Apps
- Educational & E-learning Apps
- Food & Restaurant Apps
- Service-Based Business Apps
Designing for iOS, Android, or Both
Each platform has its own design language and user expectations. Here's how I approach designing for each:
iOS Design
Following Apple's Human Interface Guidelines while adding personality. SF Pro typography, native gestures, iOS navigation patterns.
Feels natural to iPhone and iPad users.
Android Design
Material Design principles with custom branding. Bottom navigation, floating action buttons, Android-specific patterns.
Respects Android conventions while staying on-brand.
Cross-Platform
Shared design system that adapts to each platform. Platform-specific components where it matters, consistent branding throughout.
Maintains brand consistency across iOS and Android.
The goal is creating an app that feels native to each platform while maintaining your brand identity. Whether you're targeting one platform or both, the design should feel right at home on your users' devices.
The App Design Process
Here's how we'll take your app from idea to developer-ready designs:
Research & Discovery
We start by understanding your users, business goals, and competitors. What problem are we solving? Who's using this? What do they need?
Wireframes & User Flows
I map out the user experience with wireframes and flows. This is where we figure out navigation, information architecture, and core interactions.
Visual Design & Prototyping
High-fidelity designs with your branding, plus interactive prototypes you can click through. We test with users and refine before moving forward.
Developer Handoff
Final Figma files with specs, design system documentation, and exported assets. Everything your development team needs to build the app exactly as designed.
Serving Iowa & Beyond
I'm based in Dubuque, but app design work happens mostly through Figma, video calls, and project management tools anyway. I work with clients throughout Iowa — Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Des Moines, Davenport, Waterloo, and beyond.
Local clients in the Dubuque area can meet in person if that's helpful, but most of our collaboration will be remote either way. What matters is designing an app your users will love, not whether we're in the same zip code.
Ready to Design Your Mobile App?
Let's talk about what you're trying to create and figure out the best design approach. No pressure, no sales pitch — just an honest conversation about your app idea and users.
Schedule a call and we'll walk through your app concept, discuss your target users, design approach, and timeline. I'll give you straight answers about what's realistic and what's going to create the best user experience.