Telegram Calls Contest
This article highlights general aspects of designing interfaces for Telegram Contests.
Embrace system defaults
System defaults provide a solid foundation whether you work on Calls, Messages or virtually any section of the app. Most people use native calls on a daily basis, so it's good to offer them a familiar interface. Harnessing the power of defaults may be tricky, but users will be grateful if you succeed.
Defaults also have an advantage of being time-tested, highly iterated and adopted by hundreds of millions users. It's vital to use this for your own advantage.
Focus on your task
Design is all about focus. It's tempting to make everything better, but you should work on one thing at a time. If your current mission is Calls there is no need to start bold experiments elsewhere. Sometimes you have to redesign other sections of the app to achieve your goals, but it's easy to miss the deadlines.
Pay attention to detail
It's the designer's duty to examine every possible scenario; say, I want my speaker turned off, how will the icon look like? What will happen to this icon if I switch to the Video call mode? You might think "oh, that's obvious", but it's not obvious to a developer. Attention to detail adds a lot of depth to your design.
Icons-only interfaces may not be as intuitive as an average designer might think, so don't hesitate to accompany your icons with text labels.
Restrict yourself from cheating
There are seemingly cunning ways to make your designs look better. Using Night theme is obviously one of those. And while inverted color palette is an industry standard for Calls since 2007, classic Messages and SMS still use light theme. Responsible designer will stick to default color theme outside calling interfaces because most people are using the same default theme. It's the only way to imitate a real life scenario. Also it may sound like a limitation, such limitations are the source of creativity (just like the bans are the source of freedom).
Another trick is based on using specific profile photos. Try staying reasonable about pictures you choose and don't use them to cover your design's imperfections.
Double check your texts
Typos are relatively small but clearly visible symbols of imperfection. You should carefully check your texts and phrases as they are an essential part of your design.
Avoid collateral damage
Adding new features should not ruin the existing ones, especially when it comes to successful user experience. Some innovations may bring confusion and raise questions like "How can I ... after this update?". Telegram can become better in almost every aspect, yet it requires the power of evolution, not revolution.
By inspired by simplicity
Speaking of simplicity, your interface should always match one criteria: they should be easy to use (even for your grandma). What are the key elements in Calls?
- making calls
- answering calls
- enabling Video call mode
- minimising a call
- disabling microphone / enabling speaker
- starting a group call
- verifying security code
With all 7 features done right you already get a decent app. The greatest challenge may be designing the very basics like making and answering calls. Many contestants have struggled to make this process simple and enjoyable, yet very few succeeded. Answering a call for Android should be designed in both fullscreen and notification mode, otherwise it can hardly resemble defaults.
During a contest you may not have enough time to solve every task, so start from the most important elements of the UI and iterate as you move forward.