Smashing Android UI

Chapter 21: User Interface Design Anti-Patterns

User interface anti-patterns are bad—but common—solutions to commonly occurring problems. All of the anti-patterns described in this chapter are relatively common, and you’ll see them in apps that are currently distributed in Google Play. I don’t show real-life examples of the bad designs because I have no intention of shaming any developers, well-known and not. I’m sure you have seen instances of these anti-patterns and probably even have apps that use them on your phone. It is also worth noting that an app that uses some of these anti-patterns should not automatically be seen as badly designed. Such app designs might be flawed in one place, but are still excellent in other respects.

As with user interface design patterns, user interface design anti-patterns do not apply in every situation. If your app has certain exceptions and constraints, these anti-patterns might after all be an acceptable solution, or maybe your only recourse. Suffice it to say that it’s always better to avoid these anti-patterns if at all possible, but keep in mind that there are exceptions to every rule.

The user interface anti-patterns discussed in this chapter include the following:

• The splash screen

• The tutorial screen

• The confirmation window

• On-screen Back button

• Menu button

• Hiding the status bar

• Swipe overlay quick actions

• Using non-Android designs

Avoid Using the Splash screen

The splash screen is a loading screen that appears while ...