How can you design a mobile user interface for people who are standing?

Designing a mobile user interface for people who are standing is a challenge that requires careful consideration of the context, the goals, and the limitations of the users. Standing users may have less attention, less stability, and less time to interact with their devices than seated users. Therefore, the mobile interface should be simple, clear, and responsive to their needs. In this article, we will explore some principles and tips for creating a mobile user interface that works well for standing users.

1 Context matters

The first step in designing a mobile user interface for standing users is to understand the context in which they will use it. What are they trying to achieve? What are the environmental factors that may affect their interaction? For example, if they are standing in a crowded bus, they may need a larger font size, a higher contrast, and a minimal amount of input to avoid errors and frustration. If they are standing in a museum, they may need a more immersive and engaging interface that enhances their experience. The context should inform the design decisions and the testing scenarios.

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Fábio Mendes de Pinho

Recognized Community Voice | Executive in Sales | Technology & Telecommunications | Digital Transformation Leader | Business Strategy | Innovation Advocate
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Ao projetar uma interface de usuário móvel para pessoas que estão de pé, é crucial priorizar a usabilidade com uma só mão, garantindo que os elementos interativos, como botões e links, sejam grandes e de fácil acesso, preferencialmente localizados na parte inferior da tela para facilitar o alcance do polegar. Além disso, a interface deve ser simplificada, com um layout claro e uma navegação intuitiva, minimizando a necessidade de digitação e oferecendo opções de comando de voz ou gestos simples, para que os usuários possam interagir com o aplicativo sem precisar de ambos os braços, o que é especialmente útil em situações em que podem estar segurando objetos ou se deslocando.

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Victor Olszewski

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Environmental conditions such as lighting, noise, and screen visibility can have a significant impact on the user experience. For example, in bright lighting conditions, high contrast and large font sizes are necessary to ensure screen readability. Typically, test scenarios should also be based on these contexts to ensure that the interface functions optimally in all anticipated situations.

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2 Keep it simple

The second step in designing a mobile user interface for standing users is to keep it simple. Standing users may have less cognitive and physical resources to devote to their devices, so the interface should not overload them with information, options, or actions. The interface should follow the principle of progressive disclosure, which means showing only the essential elements at first and revealing more details as the user requests them. The interface should also use clear and consistent labels, icons, and gestures that are easy to recognize and remember.

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Fábio Mendes de Pinho

Recognized Community Voice | Executive in Sales | Technology & Telecommunications | Digital Transformation Leader | Business Strategy | Innovation Advocate
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Ao projetar uma interface móvel para quem está de pé, é essencial simplificar: use botões grandes e facilmente acessíveis na parte inferior da tela, minimize a digitação com gestos ou comando de voz, e ofereça uma navegação clara para permitir o uso com uma mão, mantendo a outra livre.

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Victor Olszewski

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Maintain consistency in the design of the user interface by using familiar design patterns and established conventions. Standing users may encounter external distractions or changing environmental conditions, so a consistent and predictable interface can help reduce cognitive load and enhance the user experience.

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3 Make it responsive

The third step in designing a mobile user interface for standing users is to make it responsive. Standing users may have less control and accuracy over their touch inputs, so the interface should be forgiving and adaptable to their inputs. The interface should use appropriate touch target sizes, feedback mechanisms, and error prevention and recovery techniques. The interface should also adapt to the orientation, resolution, and performance of the device, as well as the network and battery status. The interface should provide a smooth and seamless user experience regardless of the device or the situation.

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Fábio Mendes de Pinho

Recognized Community Voice | Executive in Sales | Technology & Telecommunications | Digital Transformation Leader | Business Strategy | Innovation Advocate
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Para tornar uma interface móvel responsiva para usuários em pé, adapte o layout e os elementos de controle para facilitar o uso com uma mão, ajustando-se automaticamente ao tamanho e orientação da tela. Priorize botões grandes e acessíveis na parte inferior, simplifique a navegação e incorpore recursos como gestos e comando de voz, garantindo uma experiência fluida e acessível em diferentes dispositivos e contextos.

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Victor Olszewski

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The interface must be designed to adapt to various device-related factors such as orientation, screen resolution, and hardware performance. Additionally, it must also consider the network and battery status, dynamically adjusting features or providing alternatives when conditions are limited.

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4 Test it with real users

The final step in designing a mobile user interface for standing users is to test it with real users in real contexts. Testing the interface with standing users can reveal usability issues, user preferences, and user satisfaction that may not be apparent in lab settings or with seated users. Testing the interface in real contexts can also help evaluate how the interface performs under different environmental conditions, such as noise, light, and movement. Testing the interface with real users and real contexts can help improve the design and ensure that it meets the needs and expectations of the standing users.

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Victor Olszewski

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By observing how users interact with the interface in their natural environment, it's possible to identify unmet needs or gaps in design. For instance, critical features or information might be missing or hard to find, prompting adjustments to better cater to user needs.

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5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Victor Olszewski

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Providing customization options in the interface, such as the ability to modify the layout of interactive elements or choose the most relevant features, allows standing users to tailor the interface to their specific preferences and needs.

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How can you design a mobile user interface for people who are standing?

1

2

3

4

5

1 Context matters

2 Keep it simple

3 Make it responsive

4 Test it with real users

5 Here’s what else to consider

Mobile Communications

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How can you design a mobile user interface for people who are standing?

1

2

3

4

5

1 Context matters

2 Keep it simple

3 Make it responsive

4 Test it with real users

5 Here’s what else to consider

Mobile Communications

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