Designing a Viral App

Introduction

• Presenter: Blake Anderson
• Background: Built three viral apps generating millions in profit: Riz GPT, Umax, and Cal.
• Series: Five-part series sponsored by Apex.
• Objective: Minimize friction from design to millions of users.
• Focus: Single-player utility apps solving problems simply, without complex social interaction.

Importance of Design

• Design is crucial as it builds off an idea and sets the stage for building and marketing.
• Success from apps like Umax stems from designing a single screen effectively.

Core Principles of App Design

Principle 1: Minimize Cognitive Load

• Simplify user experience; reduce taps, decisions, and confusion.
• Examples:
  • Riz GPT: 2 buttons (upload screenshot, get pickup lines).
  • Umax: 1 button (scan your face).
  • Cal: 1 button (analyze your food).
• Launch with essential features and improve over time.
• Apply Pareto Principle: 80% functionality from 20% features.
• Viral apps often have one core action (e.g., Tinder’s swipe right).

Principle 2: Do Not Reinvent the Wheel

• Use established design norms to avoid user friction.
• Example: Settings button typically in the top right.
• For Umax, drew inspiration from FIFA and Madden games for design.
• Focus on solving core problems over unique design elements.

Principle 3: Think Like Your Customer

• Understand user needs deeply and design accordingly.
• Example: For Cal, simplified calorie tracking.
• Analyze user preferences and integrate them into app design.
• Build for either who you are today or who you wish to cater to.

Core Methods for Designing a Viral App

Method 1: Learn Figma

• Importance of Figma as a design tool.
• Prioritize user experience over interface aesthetics.
• Steps to learn:
  1. Watch a 1-hour Figma tutorial on YouTube.
  2. Redesign a real app in Figma to practice.

Method 2: Create an Idea Board

• Collect screenshots from similar apps for reference.
• Example: Use Mobbin to gather app design elements.
• Use idea boards as a reference during the design process.
• Great designers systematically draw inspiration from existing designs.

Method 3: Study the Content

• Study viral social media content and integrate insights into app design.
• For Riz GPT, examined viral slideshow styles.
• Dedicate social media accounts to consume niche content for insights.
• Critical for understanding design and viral potential.

Conclusion

• Content of this video aims to aid in designing viral apps.
• More videos to come; subscribe and visit Apex's website for updates.
• Open for questions in the comments.