lordZOUGA:
@nollyj, your app doesn't look interesting. Is this the real app or is it in pre-alpha stages?

Those that are saying that this is a nice app. What? Please share what's nice about it.

To be honest, I don't understand. Were you on a deadline to launch the app?

I would start telling you what's wrong with the app but that would effectively mean recreating the app. So.. nah man.

You can do better than this. Much better.

Haba bro. the least u could have done was to add a line or two of encouragement even if u were to critique too. everybody may not be as good as u in programming or design but......u were once like them. it comes with experience and time.....and maybe good lines of encouragement. one day we'll GWR there (maybe even be better than u) I actually didn't expect that from you.

Op its all good. thank God for the design. I really love the UI and creativity behind it. but work with the advice given by others, ESP the icons part. Rome wasn't built in a day. peace

nollyj:


That is why we are here to learn from each other. I haven't said it is the best app. I came here for review and suggestions on how I can improve future versions. Please if you have any, kindly let me know. Just like I told Dhtml - I am not good with UI or interface. I welcome all suggestions and reviews

Just feel free. No hard feelings. Learning is a continuous process.

Beside, thanks for your comment. I look forward to your suggestions

Some research will do you good. Your app is similar to Duolingo or Lumosity. Check them out and see how users interact with them. Try to understand why they implemented things the way they did. You will then work from that.

I normally don't make such comments but this is your 8th android app. You should do better.

lordZOUGA:

Some research will do you good. Your app is similar to Duolingo or Lumosity. Check them out and see how users interact with them. Try to understand why they implemented things the way they did. You will then work from that.

I normally don't make such comments but this is your 8th android app. You should do better.

Is it about the UI or features you are talking about. You should do better is quite general. I think it will be nice to point out what needs to be changed or improve on.

lol because some of your trolling pours butane gas to fire .

dhtml18:
^^^thank you o, but why am i always getting banned for trolling? we need to ask seun!

Your comment sounds like the app is like a Facebook page without CSS.
To me, the icons in the navigation drawer can be changed. But this is an educational app naaa and not a game. Besides, how many novels have you read with pictures.

I noticed people become overzealous about UI of an app these days when the app is not a game.

Even some of the most addictive games has a BAD UI, imagine there was no Flappy bird and Nollyj posted it as his game, I can only imagine the kind of comments I'll be reading here.

lordZOUGA:
@nollyj, your app doesn't look interesting. Is this the real app or is it in pre-alpha stages?

Those that are saying that this is a nice app. What? Please share what's nice about it.

To be honest, I don't understand. Were you on a deadline to launch the app?

I would start telling you what's wrong with the app but that would effectively mean recreating the app. So.. nah man.

You can do better than this. Much better.

NollyJ, there was a post I saw you make that made me want to tell you, you are very good at simple Ui designs. And complicated Ui designs is what I hate most Android apps for.

nollyj:


Thanks. I am not that good in graphics so I used icons from Flaticon. If you know who can help me out kindly let me know.

Thanks once again

nollyj:


Is it about the UI or features you are talking about. You should do better is quite general. I think it will be nice to point out what needs to be changed or improve on.

Yes, It will be much better and easier for you if I do that but nah, that's too much work for me. I am pretty sure if I were to create an app like that, I would not have done it the way you did it.

That's all I can say.

FincoApps:
Your comment sounds like the app is like a Facebook page without CSS.
To me, the icons in the navigation drawer can be changed. But this is an educational app naaa and not a game. Besides, how many novels have you read with pictures.

I noticed people become overzealous about UI of an app these days when the app is not a game.

Even some of the most addictive games has a BAD UI, imagine there was no Flappy bird and Nollyj posted it as his game, I can only imagine the kind of comments I'll be reading here.

So, you would rather make an app with a bad UI?

lordZOUGA:

Yes, It will be much better and easier for you if I do that but nah, that's too much work for me. I am pretty sure if I were to create an app like that, I would not have done it the way you did it.

That's all I can say.

Ok. I know you will do it better. But I wish your pointed out something. Thanks

Simple Ui not bad.

lordZOUGA:

So, you would rather make an app with a bad UI?

FincoApps:
NollyJ, there was a post I saw you make that made me want to tell you, you are very good at simple Ui designs. And complicated Ui designs is what I hate most Android apps for.

Yes, I know that I struggle with interface / UI design alot. But I design most of my app UI and since I am not a designer I know it is not where I will like it to be.

This app that I created has up to 140 screens / graphic assets to design. In fiverr, A screen will cost 5 dollars and that equates to 140 * 5 = 700 dollars for UI design.

There is nothing wrong with paying that amount if you have the money but I have a different idea when it comes to android app development.

I focus on the content of the app, features and functionalities. App UI is also important and makes app attractive but since I can't just invest so much in app UI when I don't even know if it will perform well (lots of downloads) in Google store.

I do release my first version and see its performance before I can invest money in UI design. There are millions of apps that were developed by companies and indie developers with beautify UI that could not get up to 5000 download. This is not an excuse for poor UI but building beautiful apps involves so much money. Companies and indie developers are losing thousands and millions of dollars in failed apps and games


At least I have seen a good trend with my new app. More than 500 downloads already in few days without aggressive advertisement.

I will work on the UI in my next release.

You are right. Most importantly, great UI does not guarantee downloads and vice versa

nollyj:


Yes, I know that I struggle with interface / UI design alot. But I design most of my app UI and since I am not a designer I know it is not where I will like it to be.

This app that I created has up to 140 screens / graphic assets to design. In fiverr, A screen will cost 5 dollars and that equates to 140 * 5 = 700 dollars for UI design.

There is nothing wrong with paying that amount if you have the money but I have a different idea when it comes to android app development.

I focus on the content of the app, features and functionalities. App UI is also important and makes app attractive but since I can't just invest so much in app UI when I don't even know if it will perform well (lots of downloads) in Google store.

I do release my first version and see its performance before I can invest money in UI design. There are millions of apps that we develop by companies and indie developers with beautify UI that could not get up to 5000 download. This not an excuse for poor UI but building beautify apps involves so much money. Companies and indie developers are losing thousands and millions of dollars in failed apps and games


At least I have seen a good thread with my new app. More than [b]500 download[/b]s already in few days without aggressive advertisement.

I will work on the UI in my next app.

Abeg the UI thing is optional jare unless client is complaining.
- dhtml18

nollyj:


Ok. I know you will do it better. But I wish your pointed out something. Thanks

It is not about doing it better. I am talking about doing it in such a way that it is intuitive to users. doing it in a better way.

For example:
why do you have a button called "Start" at the launch of the app? what is it's function?

Looking at your menu, the topics can be easily grouped but it isn't grouped like "Reading", "Writing", "Oral"? the current way it is will overwhelm some users. Listing items doesn't automatically make the UI simple. Check Gmail's Navigation pane. See the way the used a Light font and Grouping to make things orderly.

The main activity of the app, since you don't seem to have anything to put there, why don't you put the list of the items on the side pane there? but with a little more explanation of what each section does. instead of the "About Section" type stuff you put there.

When I click that "English Brain Teaser" button, I see a full Activity with only 4 massive buttons. I don't think that's necessary. if you think the activity will be scanty if you just place four normal buttons in it, then you should use a "Context Menu" or a "Fragment" that will float atop the screen so the user can make his selection.

In the comprehension activity, there is that image with two buttons that go to activities with more buttons that takes you to another activity. Making that Comprehension page a Tabbed Activity will reduce navigation for the user.

*More suggestions that I am too lazy to list*

The black on green color isn't nice. using that black on green makes the UI look a bit dull. Change the text on the Action Bar to white, Text on the red buttons should be white too and the window background should be white.

You don't need those gradients if your on API 21 or API 22 of the android SDK, Lollipop's Material buttons are nice by default. Use them.

You don't have to force a good UI and simple UI. it is mostly about subtly modifying existing components for your needs.

Here is a tool for generating icons for different screen sizes. http://romannurik.github.io/AndroidAssetStudio/index.html your icons on my device appeared blurry
I hope those were useful.

FincoApps:
Simple Ui not bad.

There is nothing Simple about a bad UI.
If you clutter your UI with stuff just because you are trying to reduce the number of clicks a user has to perform to get something done, that's bad UI.

If you unnecessarily make a UI hard to use by spreading action that can be completed on a single activity across multiple activities because you are making it easier for the user. That's just bad UI.

a good UI is simple and unobtrusive, the user should already know what to expect when a component is accessed.

Nice suggestions and explanation. Thanks, I will look into it.

Hmmm now you are talking

lordZOUGA:

It is not about doing it better. I am talking about doing it in such a way that it is intuitive to users. doing it right.

For example:
why do you have a button called "Start" at the launch of the app? what is it's function?

Looking at your menu, the topics can be easily grouped but it isn't grouped like "Reading", "Writing", "Oral"? the current way it is will overwhelm some users. Listing items doesn't automatically make the UI simple. Check Gmail's Navigation pane. See the way the used a Light font and Grouping to make things orderly.

The main activity of the app, since you don't seem to have anything to put there, why don't you put the list of the items on the side pane there? but with a little more explanation of what each section does. instead of the "About Section" type stuff you put there.

When I click that "English Brain Teaser" button, I see a full Activity with only 4 massive buttons. I don't think that's necessary. if you think the activity will be scanty if you just place four normal buttons in it, then you should use a "Context Menu" or a "Fragment" that will float atop the screen so the user can make his selection.

In the comprehension activity, there is that image with two buttons that go to activities with more buttons that takes you to another activity. Making that Comprehension page a Tabbed Activity will reduce navigation for the user.

*More suggestions that I am too lazy to list*

The black on green color isn't nice. using that black on green makes the UI look a bit dull. Change the text on the Action Bar to white, Text on the red buttons should be white too and the window background should be white.

You don't need those gradients if your on API 21 or API 22 of the android SDK, Lollipop's Material buttons are nice by default. Use them.

You don't have to force a good UI and simple UI. it is mostly about subtly modifying existing components for your needs.

Here is a tool for generating icons for different screen sizes. http://romannurik.github.io/AndroidAssetStudio/index.html your icons on my device appeared blurry
I hope those were useful.

Great job @ op

applord:
Great job @ op

Thanks

1000 organic downloads in on week. There is hope that this app will do well in Google Play