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Android Design. Where to start?
almost 9 years ago from Alex Vanderzon, UI & UX Designer
Marc Edwards, almost 9 years ago (edited almost 9 years ago )
Sure can.
Platform conventions
I’d get as familiar as possible with Google’s new Material Design, as it’s going to form the future of Android.
I’d also try to get access to one of Google’s Nexus devices, and run the Android L beta. This should give you a feel for platform conventions, workflows and best practices. A big part of designing for a platform is following existing patterns, or at least knowing when to follow and when to break them. The only way to do that is to have a lot of experience using a platform.
9 patch
Android’s 9 patch images work a little differently to how you’d normally create stretchable images for iOS or web, so it’s worth spending the time to understand them — chances are you’ll end up needing to create lots of 9 patch images.
developer.android.com/tools/help/draw9patch
Scales
From a technical standpoint, Android is a bit different to iOS. iOS only has two different pixel densities to deal with — 1× and 2× (@2x), but Android typically has 3 or 4 (hdpi, xhdpi, xxhdpi, xxxhdpi).
Google has a document on the topic that’s worth reading a couple of times, just to make sure you’re on top of things.
Android: Supporting Multiple Screens
The Android pixel densities do relate to each other. If you start with hdpi (and I do recommend starting with the lowest res you want to design for), then the scales are:
- hdpi (100%)
- xhdpi (150%)
- xxhdpi (200%)
- xxxhdpi (300%)
This means you can create everything for hdpi using vectors and generated effects, then double the resolution and have perfect artwork for xxhdpi. The 150% scale of xhdpi is a bit of a pain, but once you’ve created that, you can double again to get the xxxhdpi artwork. I’ve written more about my process here: My App Design workflow
I hope that helps.
Edit: Emphasis added to pixel density section.
Salva Ferrando, almost 9 years ago
On your workflow article you say that you start your android designs at mdpi (For an Android app, that’s mdpi) and now you suggest to start with hdpi. That means we shouldn't take care anymore of mdpi? Because how fast android devices screen are growing?
On your workflow article you say that you start your android designs at mdpi (For an Android app, that’s mdpi) and now you suggest to start with hdpi.
Well spotted, and sorry about the confusion. The article is a bit older, and I'm not sure how valuable it is to include mdpi assets any more.
That means we shouldn't take care anymore of mdpi?
mdpi is for devices with a ~160ppi display density. So, similar to the 2007 iPhone. It depends on your userbase, but I wouldn't bother for most modern apps. It really does depend on who you're targeting, and how your want to support older devices.
It's also worth noting that Android layout is done using dp units (density-independent pixel), which maps to mdpi.
You don't really need to support xxxhdpi assets yet, but it depends how much you want to future-proof your current work.
Who knows what will happen, but I'd think xxxhdpi is the end of the road for display densities for the foreseeable future.
Julie Murphy, almost 9 years ago
Wow this is a pretty complete answer. I'm going to pass this along, thanks. :)
Cheers. :) I’m here if there’s any additional questions I can help with.
Paul @Stammy, almost 9 years ago (edited almost 9 years ago )
One clarification:
- ldpi = 75%
- mdpi = 100%
- hdpi = 150%
- xhdpi = 200%
- xxhdpi = 300%
xxxhdpi is 4x and only really used for launcher assets that can scale
Yep, thanks for the additional info!
I've edited my post to include some emphasis — I was talking about scales, assuming you start with hdpi.
For everyone reading along: The scales Stammy posted are how Google officially documents them. The scales I posted assumed you start with hdpi as your base.
Your words will not help, maybe you could give a better answer for someone who is learning to design on Android?