Android App UI Designing using Sketch and Zeplin

Android app UI designing is an essential aspect of app development. A well-designed app can attract users, increase engagement, and improve the overall user experience. However, designing a UI for an Android app can be a challenging task, especially with the constant evolution of Android design guidelines. In this article, we will discuss how to use Sketch and Zeplin for Android app UI design.

Sketch: The Ultimate Design Tool for Android

Sketch is a vector graphics editor widely used in the design community. It offers a wide range of features that are tailored specifically for designing user interfaces. The sketch is easy to learn and can be used by designers of all skill levels.

1. Setting Up Sketch for Android App UI Designing

To start designing your Android app UI in Sketch, you will need to first create a new document and set the artboard size to match the screen resolution of the Android device you are designing for. This will ensure that your design looks great on any Android device.

2. Adding UI Elements in Sketch

Sketch provides a wide range of UI elements that can be easily added to your design. Some of the commonly used UI elements include buttons, text fields, images, and icons. You can easily add these elements by selecting them from the UI elements library and dragging them to your artboard.

3. Creating Reusable Symbols in Sketch

One of the great features of Sketch is its ability to create reusable symbols. Symbols are pre-designed UI elements that can be easily duplicated and modified throughout your design. This can save a lot of time and effort when designing complex UIs.

To create a symbol in Sketch, select the UI element that you want to turn into a symbol and click on “Create Symbol” in the toolbar. You can then easily duplicate the symbol throughout your design by dragging it from the symbols library and dropping it on your artboard.

4. Using Plugins in Sketch

Sketch provides a wide range of plugins that can be used to enhance your design process. Some of the commonly used plugins for Android app UI designing include Android Assets, Material Theme Editor, and Craft.

Android Assets is a plugin that allows you to easily export your design assets in a format that can be used by Android developers. Material Theme Editor is a plugin that allows you to easily apply material design guidelines to your design. Craft is a plugin that allows you to easily create and sync design prototypes with InVision.

Zeplin: The Ultimate Collaboration Tool for Android

Zeplin is a collaboration tool that is designed specifically for UI designers and developers. It allows designers to easily share their designs with developers and provides developers with all the information they need to implement the design accurately.

1. Uploading Designs to Zeplin

To use Zeplin, you will need to first upload your Sketch file to the Zeplin platform. Zeplin will then automatically generate specifications for all the UI elements in your design, including font sizes, colors, and dimensions.

2. Sharing Designs with Developers in Zeplin

Developers can then use Zeplin to inspect each UI element and get all the information they need to implement the design accurately. Zeplin provides developers with CSS code, color codes, and dimensions for each UI element. This makes it easy for developers to implement the plan without any guesswork.

3. Collaborating with Team Members in Zeplin

Zeplin also allows you to collaborate with team members on your design. You can easily share your design with team members and get feedback on the design. Zeplin provides a commenting system that makes it easy to discuss design changes and updates.

FAQs

1. What are Sketch and Zeplin?

The sketch is a vector graphics editor that is used by designers for designing user interfaces, while Zeplin is a collaboration tool designed specifically for UI designers and developers.

2. Can I use Sketch and Zeplin on Windows?

The sketch is only available for Mac, but Zeplin can be used on both Mac and Windows.

3. How much do Sketch and Zeplin cost?

Sketch offers a 30-day free trial, and then requires a license fee of $99 per year. Zeplin offers a free plan for individuals, and also offers paid plans for teams.

4. Can I use Sketch and Zeplin together?

Yes, Sketch and Zeplin can be used together to create and collaborate on Android app UI designs.