Using Sketch for iOS App Design

There are a few software options when it comes to designing an app for iOS. Some people may prefer Photoshop but I do think it is safe to say that Sketch is the go to software for app design today.

Setting a Sketch file up for iOS App Design

Set up User Interface (UI) specifics

An example of some UI specifics could be as follows:

• Specify the viewport size that you will work with, eg iPhone 5, iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus.
• Make mention of pixel dimensions to be used, eg 1x, 2x or 3x
• Generic gutter width from content to viewport edge (left and right),eg 15px (based on 1x)
• Radius of corners to be set at 14px, set full size buttons
• Background default colour to be set to #FCF53C
• Hit target Maximum 44 x 44 and Minium 44 x 22 pixels.
• Specify colours and hex values
• Button borders set to 1px and colour ghost grey

Make Use of Symbols

Using symbols in Sketch is a great way to save time and keep a consistent look throughout the app design. Say for example you design a button with a gradient and set size. Say you need to change the gradient and size of the button, if you have converted it before hand to a symbol all instances of that symbol once changes have been made will flow through to each button symbol.

Organise your file with Pages and Artboards

Pages allow you to create seperate areas within the Sketch file. You then create artboards within a page. So one page could have 15 artboards that cover the app design for a logged in user etc.