My company actually got rid of our onboarding screens a few months ago and replaced them with a short video, just like you suggested here. We're loving the results!
Hi! Did you make a user research after this change? How do you know results? I am designing currently onboarding for my company app and want to have a strong opinion on not using illustrations/images for it.
Hi Steve! Looking back at the year that passed - are you still satisfied with the change in onboarding? Working as a PM and are looking into the onboarding part of the app.
Interesting. Personally I would actually read an on-boarding screen with a maximum of 3 steps. Some on-boarding screens include special features that I don't have to go looking for in the app. Creating a short video would be nice, but producing it is going to take some time and it has to accommodate all users particularly those with hearing disability. Why go through editing, adding subtitles, when you can present the same value with illustrations and text? If the only issue is that users usually skip it, then remove it from the initial experience, convert it into a tutorial and place it under extras.
Exactly what I was thinking! What if the app is not a standard one, and has a unique set of features that benefit users in a very specific way? I usually don't skip onboardings either, especially if they are short (2-3 steps)... They can be fun and informative! What I actually skip is 'terms in conditions', unless they are displayed in concise bullet points. In the best-case scenario, I scan the information !!! Lol
It's best to have the app done in a clear way from the start so minimal explanation is necessary. Of course there are some exceptions - like with everything.
The type of onboarding I did for my clients were very different from the ones you showed. I asked the user to input their data (like a form) while they kept getting an idea of the app as well, and that way their profile was ready on first arrival and content was customized for them based off that!
That's interactive onboarding and that kind makes sense - we also did it in the babynote app we created - it's basically a form but one question at a time and delivered in a more visual, entertaining way. That kind of onboarding has a lot of value :)
Sadly with A/B testing with a paywall at the end of a short 3 screen onboarding vs no onboarding, for a freemium app - revenue is 60% higher if you show the onboarding in our case, and therefore as a business onboarding is a necessity.
which user would like to see a 60 to 90 second video? I would rather have some short classic onboarding screens and would 100 % skipp the video because I want to explore the app by myself 🤔
It's more useful to put important things in onboarding like selling your IAP, subscription, getting them to do referrals and turn on permissions like notifications/geo instead 👍
Thanks for this Mike ! I can’t agree more, onboarding is over boring ! In addition, as a designer myself, I always wondered: if onboarding screens are necessary, then does it mean that my product isn’t easy enough to use? Instead of working on onboarding screens, shouldn’t I spend time to improve the product itself and make it easier to use ?
I see your point but I think that: There are some (most of) users that skip the on-boarding phase, but there are also the users (like myself) that don’t skip it and read it all (mostly if it’s short like 3 screens). If we always use the “skip” button to comply with the users that don’t like the on-boarding experience, why would you get rid of it if the second group will no longer be supported?!
Great point Marina! The use of illustrations is to have an impact not with something pretty but something that translates the step into fundamental meaning, the video is a good call sure but ppl skip it too, we’re exhausted to see video ads, reels and stories too, it’s not black and white we should research case by case. I agree about dribbble tho but isn’t this the case in 90% of dribbble shots? To make something unrealistic pretty?
I think I wasn't 100% clear with this video so I'll likely do a part 2. I didn't mean ALL onboarding kinds, but rather the typical "marketing kind" that uses some generic artwork and the same marketing messages you already seen in the app store and on their website like "Our app does X and it's great" - which also happens to be the most common kind of onboarding (but not the only one)
@@Itsandreaugusto.personal I agree Andre! The video is a good ideia, but let's compare an onboarding video with 'instagram stories'. Most of my friends don't actually watch the whole video (they normally skip it with 4 5 sec) and when they watch it the sound is off. I think people spend less time reading some short information (like 3 onboarding screens with a few text) than they would spend watching a video. I think people are getting more and more impatient to watch long videos. Sometimes even if they last only 15s
Great alternative to have a 90 or so second video for onboarding that can be accessed when first using the app and/or later. I usually skip 99% of the time.
Yeah, most users are now savvy enough to figure it out + if they already downloaded an app they know what it does (or at least the expect it to do something) and video can be a cool personal way to guide in those who are lost or confused :)
I don't know about you but I loved this approach: 62nd or 92nd seconds of video as onboarding screen instead of carousel of images. I think is what the user want to see to understand the product and go to use it. Thank you so much!!!🤩
Are the researchers going through the data to determine if the onboarding screens are effective? I’m a “skipper”…. Who has the patience for all that? If I can’t find the X button, I’ll just go somewhere else. There has been some articles about people forgetting what the role is and not designing for the consumer, but to show off a cool new thing. Is there a NEED for it? This Gen-Xer can run circles around some millennials and Gen-Zs. I will step down from my soapbox now. Have a beautiful day!!
They're mostly not effective anymore, but it wasn't always the case - when apps are still new (and I remember designing them in 2008-2009 ;-)) people needed a bit more guidance. There were even in-app overlays with arrows saying what each icon does. We should always cater to the majority and enable good usage for the minority - that's why I believe video works best with a huge skip button at the bottom and a way to get to it easy later.
You are correct. But designs with onboarding screens have more likes than normal designs in behance/ dribble. Making designs with onboarding screens for the portfolio is helpful to get clients to someone starting out as a designer. What's your thought about that?
Hi! I am designer in grocery delivery app and we have something important and unique for our region, it's recipes and combo meals (our competitors doesn't have it ) but people use our service mostly after bigger players and we see they are not expecting those features but just grocery shopping. We started to work on onboarding journey and how do you think better to represent it? We have an idea of video reel on splash background.
Thank you so much for this, aside from me being a junior designer, whenever I am using an app for the first time, I skip the on boarding cos I know what the app entails. So I started to realise if me myself I can skip and not read it, then it’s of no use to many users. Beautiful suggestion of having a short video on what the app entails, and even that should depend on nature of app and not even all type of apps.
Same issue with dribbble. Its a collection of nice to look at images, that will never be put into an app or a website. They are all just colorful and templateish...but Not real design, problem solving screens
Not all of them though - and in many cases if they're correct they don't need to solve a problem right there on Dribbble, they can be an inspiration on how to present data / information in a good way. The problem is that many are doing it the wrong way and focusing on shiny pixels as a priority :)
Really love how you break conventions and give very good insights. Thank you Michal. However, what do you suggest for a feature rich app, that just has many things that need explaining. And I'm sure these videos should be between 30-60secs
Hi Michael, you have highlighted a very effective situation here and of course having a half-screen illustration, a heading, a paragraph, and a couple of buttons, such patterns have become exhausted. Keep guiding us towards the right meaning of design. Thanks. Btw was looking for a membership for your premium learning playlists on UA-cam, how could I become a member here?
Happy it was helpful! As for memberships I think there should be a "JOIN" button somewhere next to every video that I have that gets you in there. I purposefully made that membership the cheapest that UA-cam allows (0.5$) because it's more about the commitment than money :)
Wow, such cool pieces of advices in a short video, everything you said made sense. Onboarding screens are the easiest to make and must quantify pretty lightly in the eyes of hirers. I too click on them for the illustration solely 😆
Yeah I wanted to talk about this as sure - it's nice to have one or two designs like that so you know how it works, but many designers do mostly onboarding screens for the likes and it's confusing what are we really liking ;)
I mean - if you want to play around - do it. Always credit the author under the onboarding shots though (many people do it thankfully) but the main issue is that it's a bit pointless now + onboarding doesn't solve a problem so showing it front and center in a portfolio doesn't show problem solving skills for recruiters - and many people show onboarding screens first :)
I agree onboarding is probably exhausting, it’s disconnected from the actual content so you have to remember and then go look for particular content… I’ve seen my bank using it a lot to highlight new functions or offers from time to time. I guess when the app is updated or when starting it after a while. I feel this can make sense, highlight you have updated the app and now have a new function. Just the same onboarding could be hidden behind the first use of a function you haven’t opened yet. Very targeted and contextual, I feel that makes sense
I really like this idea for established apps, but I think the onboarding design helps build trust of first time users and can help increase SEO scores. This is something I've had to do with a Flutter webapp because Flutter doesn't use traditional html elements (google webcrawlers can't figure out what the app is) so there needs to be a page that directs people to the app that has a good organic search. With that said, I really, l really like the idea. Also, I really like youtube videos that doesn't have intros either which I see you've also seem to have abandoned ;)
I remember when I made a mobile App and it was like that though it solve users problems and through the time I stopped cuz of those reasons so I wanted to try something new about where to put the illustrations I make, I’m glad I don’t do that anymore and thanks this video I’m more confident.
Great to hear! Yeah illustrations can be a nice addition to an app, but not really in a place which everyone skips - it's best to use them in empty states for example :)
I would say you can add some onboarding screens to your portfolio if illustration is actually one of your sellable skills. As in you're applying for positions that want some visual development, unique style asset creation, etc.
What about when your app is dedicated to older users and they really apreciate short introduction to get familiar with The features? What about when your app is suppose to be dedicated to 26 different languages?
The more modern forms of onboarding is micro onboarding onto specific features of an app to help the user get started on using the app in a meaningful way especially if the app is complicated in nature. The illustrations are minimized or completely eliminated as well. And of course the entire onboarding is skippable. This makes the onboarding more a functional experience with purpose rather than just illustrations with a couple of sentences. Lastly the reason onboarding still exists even in its micro minimal form is because yes 10% or less of users still need it and it makes the app more accessible and inclusive to them. They may not be super techy and intuitively understand a UI or UX so it helps them with that.
@@MalewiczHype Maybe the point of using illustration+text than videos is users might not have access to a strong internet connection, so they prefer not to play a video but rather skim with the illustrations.
If an app needs 5 minutes of instructions, it probably is trying to do too many different things. Apps should serve a focused purpose; a specific tool, not a whole toolbox.
Thanks man, exactly you're not solving any problem, what is the purpose so? I don't think that video is good in second place because we all are tired of videos as well. We need more creative ideas that will not be punch in the face.
Almost done with mobile ui part 1 question. Do you go over columns/margins anywhere in a course or channel? I heard that’s important when working with developers
My companies application has an onboarding more akin to basically entering in their data such company name, location, address, positions, etc as a walk though. Rather than overwhem the user with a giant ass form, we find its less easier to enter little bits of info in a series of steps. The onboarding saying you can do X, Y and Z on separate screens is totally useless. Even the onboarding that gives helpful hits that point to parts of the UI is pretty annoying. Thanks, but i dont need an arrow telling me this is where i can save a file.
This is something I will cover with part 2 to this video - that kind of onboarding works well and is a good idea. This video is more about just mindless scrolling through artwork and generic marketing copy ;)
What if your users are from places which has low internet connectivity.. for example. Farmers(next billion users) who needs the onboarding yet +/- 60 seconds videos cant load in their city
It's not for websites but rather for mobile apps where you can embed the video within the app. Also it's only one of the options - in most cases there's no need for ANY onboarding at all if the app is well designed. Many parts can be taken by empty-state designs for example - to guide users what to do.
How about we use something like those short 30 second instagram ads for brands in onboarding. Those ads have some bg music and motion graphics. So it's not cognitively heavy for people and a fun way to welcome and explain about the app.
Depends on the system. There can be feature specific onboarding created if features are overly complex - this video is about those typical "pointless" onboardings that just say the same stuff the app store page said already when people were downloading the app ;)
Hmm I'm very torn apart here :) Some bits are very true but overall as a short video targeted (i'm guessing here) to more beginner level audience it's very generic and might do more harm then good. Maybe better approach would be to say: before you stop doing anything learn why you should do that and to do that, do the research first. There is huge gap in what you said that should be filled with USER RESEARCH and then designing, not just, let's not do that because it's outdated. I get a hint (might be wrong) that approach you described might work for your specific workflow so it might work for you, either way it's a food for thought. Cheers!
Agree 100% with what you said. While there are valid points on what he said, his argument are not really backed up by extensive user research for every app, business case, and feasibility of doing a video in an app itself. If onboarding flow is outdated then almost EVERY BIG TECH COMPANIES (e.g. Apple, Windows) out there have outdated research, and we know it’s not the case. Onboarding usually can be skipped or optional, more data friendly than video which he suggested, straight to the point and not wasting 90 secs, more budget friendly too. That’s just general argument, but all things should be backed up by user research, like you said, and not by some random people who tell you what to do and not do in the internet.
We are testing a couple of those in some apps right now - it will take a couple months to gather the data in a good way and convince the clients to let us share it, but I will try :)
Perhaps more useful than onboarding screens or videos would be a new feature tour using tooltips so you are only highlighting key areas of the UI that may be less common/more unique for the product. Users can swipe through this tour if they want to skim the content, they can close the tour if they wish or they can take their time to digest the information at their own pace. The point is this gives users more control than a video would. With a video, users need to watch sequentially in order to take in all of the information and this takes away some level of control from users because they are receiving information set at your pace and not set by their own pace.
Onboarding doesnt work. It’s just a roablock to TTV (Time-to-value). Onboarding should be getting the user to do the first habit/hook cycle model in the app. This has been a very successful pattern used in Game design for decades.
I think you are wrong. So, having worked on the first engagements and interactions between a user and a new app and tested them, its about more than the esthetics or teaching about the features (it can be about that also), its about persuasion and engagement. not all users are the same so yes, some users might skip and thats ok. but others will be reassured by this smooth, guided intro to the app. also not all onboardings are the same, some introduce and guide users to the first actions or customizations users could do to have a smooth and reassuring first use of the app and starting use it instead of having to figure things out for yourself which could happen even with the most intuitive apps. but lets get into data and outcomes. we build apps for people to use, effectively, efficiently and ideally in a satisfactory or delightful fashion for them for as long as its useful to them. research shows (sorry, dont have the link but i think scientific litterature can be found) , and tests conducted in projects I have worked on show that users who go through a well done, useful onboarding would usually succeed in starting using the app and would use it longer. which is what we build them for initially. its not about the design, design is not the goal. its a mean to serve someone with a need.
To be fair - I oversimplified because that's how youtube works. What I meant here is the typical scrolling carousel with artwork. There are other kinds of onboarding that we also use including special forms that are one question at a time and presented in a nice, visual way (not a typical form) - these work great too. The typical "scrolling carousel" saying "oh our app does this and that" is what I referred to here. I'll do another video sometime soon to clarify this a bit :-)
I haven’t seen any app using a video, I personally would find it even more intrusive and complain why you’re using more Mb of space for something so little.
The in-app on boarding process is much more helpful than the pre onboarding screens. When we do we learn but if you force users to learn all the tricks before actually using the app they'll be lost. Great video Michal 🙌🙏
I agree with your overall point that the current onboarding is pretty useless. The only thing weird is the part where you say that "This is not design". It absolutely is, that is a design pattern for onboarding, if it is effective or not, that is another point. If we take this statement as fact, no app would be "design", since most follow patterns for navigation information hierarchy and so on.
My point was a bit exaggerated - sure, but what I meant by it (in the context of using someone else's graphics for 2/3 of it) is that it's just graphics-design filler, not UI design in the sense of solving a problem ;)
@@MalewiczHype On that point I completely agree. I only see value on these when is not an illustration, but a animation of the feature in focus. The top media shows an example and the bottom texts describe it in a more detailed way. But it is skipped 99% anyway.
Adobe apps force me through onboarding carousels after every update. I now actively despise them and will just uninstall apps that use them. If a program is prepared to needlessly waste my time at the first point of contact, it's only going to get worse from there.
Pretty much sure the video will be skipped much more frequently than simple text with pictures of the interface or illustrations or animations, and there are some cases when you'd better have a skippable onboarding than not to have it at all... If you're lucky enough to gamify the process of onboarding by mixing relevant information and requestion users' data - everybody is happy. So guys, do onboardings, but only when it's necessary for users and for business.
Of course this is a big simplification (and what isn't right now) - there are cases when some form of onboarding works - but it's mostly interactive onboarding in a way of a form that's one question at a time and delivered in a fun, instructive way. I meant swiping onboarding screens with artwork and some generic text - the kind most products do and I still stand by it - it's mostly useless :)
@@MalewiczHype good idea is just to ask yourself "Why do I do it at all?" and if the answer is " it will gain a lot of likes on dribbble" or "Everybody does" then it's better not to do it at all. So it's not that onboarding useless - it's just people do it when it's not necessary.
That's a little bit better - but the general idea is that just scrolling through some artwork with generic messages like "our app does X" isn't really helping the user ;)
Personally I would never watch a video over some small instructional slides. One of the reason being in a video there's uncertainty of how much time i need to invest or if it is worth listening to. To me it would be like ugh another video of person back seating user. Putting video of person talking gives a personal touch which is felt to users as kind of having conversation and not many people like this experience. More of technology on a part works on reducing human touch but still give good human experience.
True but I wouldn't dismiss the possibility that the designer just used the onboarding to display its original illustration in that case I wouldn't see a problem because it's not about being able to design the 2/5 of screen of very simple UI but the illustration itself... that could be isometric, 3d , motion graphics animated.... but in some of these examples it would be better to have the illustration/mo graph video separated altogether and maybe in a collection/account that publish only that type of work to avoid confusing potential hirers Let's not forget that being able to illustrate and animate is a great side skill for prodcut designer that could become brand designer in an agency Bottom line, make it clear to the employer what is that you're selling
What about using carousel for a feature release? I copied how Google does this and made an instructional GIF showing how to use each improvement. 80% of people completed and 3000 people have viewed.
That depends on the context - if it's before accessing the feature then sure. I mostly mean those silly marketing-style onboardings with some semi-random visual and "our app is cool because X" copy ;)
Disagree here. The onboarding with pictures is pointless - but there are many great onboarding examples where each onboarding slide helps you to fill in a specific piece of information in the right way. Video is eating the mobile data (relevant to many countries) and you need to switch between video and the actual screen with info to be filled in while watching - annoying!
I didn't mean feature-specific onboarding but rather one that's app specific (on first launch) and in that case video is usually embedded inside the app - so someone downloaded it already. The best approach is to design the forms and screens in a way where you don't need an onboarding for every single feature though :)
I've just started the video, but my ADHD makes me want to ask- what if you've created the illustration yourself? Personally, 99% of the time, I HATE onboarding screens. Maybe it's my impatience, maybe I've been absorbing too much Don Norma, but I feel like for most apps, you shouldn't need instructions on how to use them, it should be intuitive!
This is exactly my point - in most cases the app should be clear enough from the start so you don't need an introduction to it. And interactive onboardings are of course still a good idea - but swiping through some screens - not so much.
I hate all those trendy onboarding stuff as a user. I feel like the app doesn’t care about my time. So it not respect my time. So why I should respect it back? Nope. It’s so useless and pointless, brings only frustration and disappointment. And wasting my time! Oh, it’s supposed to teach me how to use this app? Guess what! Reading extremely short “manual” before using something new will not teach me how to use it. The actual experience of using the app will. Totally agree with the author. 👍 Startups - get rid of this 💩 and start respect our time.
There is a purpose of onboarding screens. it is to get user to understand the app before they use it. if your app is similar to most apps in the market, there is no need for it but if your app has some functions that users might not be aware of, that can be displayed in the onboarding screens. And to be honest, the idea for putting a video instead is not at all a good or a creative approach. A lot can happen on onboarding screens.
I agree….I learned the hard way, do not go to college for this, its all on youtube, I wont mention the University boot camp UI/UX class that ripped me off for $14k for what I could have learned in Figmas youtube channel….but I should but I wont.
the same customers will click skip the first chance they get on an onboarding flow. Better to structure the app in a way that facilitates learning how it works
I agree and find this very annoying. It should be optional. And if you are in love with the look of the app, it's called "graphic design" and that is what you should be doing instead. You can mix both, which I do because of my background, but if that is your main interest you are in the wrong profession.
My company actually got rid of our onboarding screens a few months ago and replaced them with a short video, just like you suggested here. We're loving the results!
Hi! Did you make a user research after this change? How do you know results? I am designing currently onboarding for my company app and want to have a strong opinion on not using illustrations/images for it.
Hi Steve! Looking back at the year that passed - are you still satisfied with the change in onboarding? Working as a PM and are looking into the onboarding part of the app.
Interesting. Personally I would actually read an on-boarding screen with a maximum of 3 steps. Some on-boarding screens include special features that I don't have to go looking for in the app. Creating a short video would be nice, but producing it is going to take some time and it has to accommodate all users particularly those with hearing disability. Why go through editing, adding subtitles, when you can present the same value with illustrations and text? If the only issue is that users usually skip it, then remove it from the initial experience, convert it into a tutorial and place it under extras.
Exactly what I was thinking! What if the app is not a standard one, and has a unique set of features that benefit users in a very specific way? I usually don't skip onboardings either, especially if they are short (2-3 steps)... They can be fun and informative! What I actually skip is 'terms in conditions', unless they are displayed in concise bullet points. In the best-case scenario, I scan the information !!! Lol
It's best to have the app done in a clear way from the start so minimal explanation is necessary. Of course there are some exceptions - like with everything.
For us, onboarding screens are amazing ❤❤❤ very good conversion rate
As a user, I always skip them. They annoy me so much when it's a basic app, especially if there's no easy way to skip 😅
Yeah sometimes they force you to browse through the whole thing, that's a bad design :)
The type of onboarding I did for my clients were very different from the ones you showed. I asked the user to input their data (like a form) while they kept getting an idea of the app as well, and that way their profile was ready on first arrival and content was customized for them based off that!
That's interactive onboarding and that kind makes sense - we also did it in the babynote app we created - it's basically a form but one question at a time and delivered in a more visual, entertaining way. That kind of onboarding has a lot of value :)
@@MalewiczHype Agreed! Client told me their vendors loved it and they became a retainer client of mine :p
Could you name the app, ill like to check it out
Sadly with A/B testing with a paywall at the end of a short 3 screen onboarding vs no onboarding, for a freemium app - revenue is 60% higher if you show the onboarding in our case, and therefore as a business onboarding is a necessity.
which user would like to see a 60 to 90 second video? I would rather have some short classic onboarding screens and would 100 % skipp the video because I want to explore the app by myself 🤔
It's more useful to put important things in onboarding like selling your IAP, subscription, getting them to do referrals and turn on permissions like notifications/geo instead 👍
Thanks for this Mike ! I can’t agree more, onboarding is over boring !
In addition, as a designer myself, I always wondered: if onboarding screens are necessary, then does it mean that my product isn’t easy enough to use? Instead of working on onboarding screens, shouldn’t I spend time to improve the product itself and make it easier to use ?
I see your point but I think that: There are some (most of) users that skip the on-boarding phase, but there are also the users (like myself) that don’t skip it and read it all (mostly if it’s short like 3 screens).
If we always use the “skip” button to comply with the users that don’t like the on-boarding experience, why would you get rid of it if the second group will no longer be supported?!
Great point Marina! The use of illustrations is to have an impact not with something pretty but something that translates the step into fundamental meaning, the video is a good call sure but ppl skip it too, we’re exhausted to see video ads, reels and stories too, it’s not black and white we should research case by case. I agree about dribbble tho but isn’t this the case in 90% of dribbble shots? To make something unrealistic pretty?
I think I wasn't 100% clear with this video so I'll likely do a part 2. I didn't mean ALL onboarding kinds, but rather the typical "marketing kind" that uses some generic artwork and the same marketing messages you already seen in the app store and on their website like "Our app does X and it's great" - which also happens to be the most common kind of onboarding (but not the only one)
@@Itsandreaugusto.personal I agree Andre! The video is a good ideia, but let's compare an onboarding video with 'instagram stories'. Most of my friends don't actually watch the whole video (they normally skip it with 4 5 sec) and when they watch it the sound is off. I think people spend less time reading some short information (like 3 onboarding screens with a few text) than they would spend watching a video. I think people are getting more and more impatient to watch long videos. Sometimes even if they last only 15s
Great alternative to have a 90 or so second video for onboarding that can be accessed when first using the app and/or later. I usually skip 99% of the time.
Yeah, most users are now savvy enough to figure it out + if they already downloaded an app they know what it does (or at least the expect it to do something) and video can be a cool personal way to guide in those who are lost or confused :)
Yeah, you’re talking about meaningful things. Gracias, thank you
I don't know about you but I loved this approach: 62nd or 92nd seconds of video as onboarding screen instead of carousel of images. I think is what the user want to see to understand the product and go to use it. Thank you so much!!!🤩
Are the researchers going through the data to determine if the onboarding screens are effective? I’m a “skipper”…. Who has the patience for all that? If I can’t find the X button, I’ll just go somewhere else. There has been some articles about people forgetting what the role is and not designing for the consumer, but to show off a cool new thing. Is there a NEED for it? This Gen-Xer can run circles around some millennials and Gen-Zs. I will step down from my soapbox now. Have a beautiful day!!
They're mostly not effective anymore, but it wasn't always the case - when apps are still new (and I remember designing them in 2008-2009 ;-)) people needed a bit more guidance.
There were even in-app overlays with arrows saying what each icon does.
We should always cater to the majority and enable good usage for the minority - that's why I believe video works best with a huge skip button at the bottom and a way to get to it easy later.
A video to explain the app components is actually a very good idea!
Show, don't tell is an important value in marketing and showbiz.
You are correct. But designs with onboarding screens have more likes than normal designs in behance/ dribble. Making designs with onboarding screens for the portfolio is helpful to get clients to someone starting out as a designer. What's your thought about that?
Hi! I am designer in grocery delivery app and we have something important and unique for our region, it's recipes and combo meals (our competitors doesn't have it ) but people use our service mostly after bigger players and we see they are not expecting those features but just grocery shopping.
We started to work on onboarding journey and how do you think better to represent it? We have an idea of video reel on splash background.
Thank you so much for this, aside from me being a junior designer, whenever I am using an app for the first time, I skip the on boarding cos I know what the app entails. So I started to realise if me myself I can skip and not read it, then it’s of no use to many users.
Beautiful suggestion of having a short video on what the app entails, and even that should depend on nature of app and not even all type of apps.
Same issue with dribbble. Its a collection of nice to look at images, that will never be put into an app or a website. They are all just colorful and templateish...but Not real design, problem solving screens
Not all of them though - and in many cases if they're correct they don't need to solve a problem right there on Dribbble, they can be an inspiration on how to present data / information in a good way.
The problem is that many are doing it the wrong way and focusing on shiny pixels as a priority :)
Once again, you are on point. Love your work!
Thanks David, appreciate you! 🙏
Really love how you break conventions and give very good insights. Thank you Michal.
However, what do you suggest for a feature rich app, that just has many things that need explaining. And I'm sure these videos should be between 30-60secs
Hi Michael, you have highlighted a very effective situation here and of course having a half-screen illustration, a heading, a paragraph, and a couple of buttons, such patterns have become exhausted. Keep guiding us towards the right meaning of design. Thanks. Btw was looking for a membership for your premium learning playlists on UA-cam, how could I become a member here?
Happy it was helpful! As for memberships I think there should be a "JOIN" button somewhere next to every video that I have that gets you in there. I purposefully made that membership the cheapest that UA-cam allows (0.5$) because it's more about the commitment than money :)
Wow, such cool pieces of advices in a short video, everything you said made sense. Onboarding screens are the easiest to make and must quantify pretty lightly in the eyes of hirers.
I too click on them for the illustration solely 😆
Yeah I wanted to talk about this as sure - it's nice to have one or two designs like that so you know how it works, but many designers do mostly onboarding screens for the likes and it's confusing what are we really liking ;)
Awesome video! Had some doubts about using onboarding with illustrations, thanks for clearing the confusion 🥰
I mean - if you want to play around - do it. Always credit the author under the onboarding shots though (many people do it thankfully) but the main issue is that it's a bit pointless now + onboarding doesn't solve a problem so showing it front and center in a portfolio doesn't show problem solving skills for recruiters - and many people show onboarding screens first :)
I agree onboarding is probably exhausting, it’s disconnected from the actual content so you have to remember and then go look for particular content… I’ve seen my bank using it a lot to highlight new functions or offers from time to time. I guess when the app is updated or when starting it after a while. I feel this can make sense, highlight you have updated the app and now have a new function. Just the same onboarding could be hidden behind the first use of a function you haven’t opened yet. Very targeted and contextual, I feel that makes sense
Very interesting and helpful analysis. To be honest I've never designed this types of screens but I will keep in mind your advice. Great work!! :D
Thanks Luis! Some people do them for the likes, but it's not really a helpful design :)
I really like this idea for established apps, but I think the onboarding design helps build trust of first time users and can help increase SEO scores. This is something I've had to do with a Flutter webapp because Flutter doesn't use traditional html elements (google webcrawlers can't figure out what the app is) so there needs to be a page that directs people to the app that has a good organic search.
With that said, I really, l really like the idea. Also, I really like youtube videos that doesn't have intros either which I see you've also seem to have abandoned ;)
I remember when I made a mobile App and it was like that though it solve users problems and through the time I stopped cuz of those reasons so I wanted to try something new about where to put the illustrations I make, I’m glad I don’t do that anymore and thanks this video I’m more confident.
Great to hear! Yeah illustrations can be a nice addition to an app, but not really in a place which everyone skips - it's best to use them in empty states for example :)
@@MalewiczHype exactly
As always, Awesome stuff. Thanks for the clarification.
Glad to help!
Ty for the video! It's right! Y'e good professional! Good luck!
Thanks!
Onboarding screens can be used to introduce new features of an app that users are unaware of.
Always good content! Thanks for this video man!!
I would say you can add some onboarding screens to your portfolio if illustration is actually one of your sellable skills. As in you're applying for positions that want some visual development, unique style asset creation, etc.
Yes, in that case of course! :)
i agree , will there be next video about different app ui screens like splash etc. ??
What about when your app is dedicated to older users and they really apreciate short introduction to get familiar with The features? What about when your app is suppose to be dedicated to 26 different languages?
Yes, there are edgecases. Like with everything.
The more modern forms of onboarding is micro onboarding onto specific features of an app to help the user get started on using the app in a meaningful way especially if the app is complicated in nature. The illustrations are minimized or completely eliminated as well. And of course the entire onboarding is skippable. This makes the onboarding more a functional experience with purpose rather than just illustrations with a couple of sentences.
Lastly the reason onboarding still exists even in its micro minimal form is because yes 10% or less of users still need it and it makes the app more accessible and inclusive to them. They may not be super techy and intuitively understand a UI or UX so it helps them with that.
True, but for those 10% of users I think it's better to go with video than a carousel which is something they may not be familiar with either.
@@MalewiczHype Maybe the point of using illustration+text than videos is users might not have access to a strong internet connection, so they prefer not to play a video but rather skim with the illustrations.
Thanks for this! Saves a lot f time!
Always straight to the point! Love your videos mate!
If an app needs 5 minutes of instructions, it probably is trying to do too many different things. Apps should serve a focused purpose; a specific tool, not a whole toolbox.
Yes.
Thanks man, exactly you're not solving any problem, what is the purpose so? I don't think that video is good in second place because we all are tired of videos as well. We need more creative ideas that will not be punch in the face.
I 100% agreed. Yesterday I also came to the same conclusion for my app
Very to the point! Great video
Thank you :)
Meaningful talk about onboarding screens. 💯
Thanks! :)
What fonts do you recommend?
Almost done with mobile ui part 1 question. Do you go over columns/margins anywhere in a course or channel? I heard that’s important when working with developers
For web - yes. For mobile we use a soft grid.
@@MalewiczHype is there a video where you go over the soft grid?
It should be alongside the red square method in the first mobile app ui course :)
@@MalewiczHype ok I will review that video. Thanks!
My companies application has an onboarding more akin to basically entering in their data such company name, location, address, positions, etc as a walk though. Rather than overwhem the user with a giant ass form, we find its less easier to enter little bits of info in a series of steps. The onboarding saying you can do X, Y and Z on separate screens is totally useless. Even the onboarding that gives helpful hits that point to parts of the UI is pretty annoying. Thanks, but i dont need an arrow telling me this is where i can save a file.
This is something I will cover with part 2 to this video - that kind of onboarding works well and is a good idea. This video is more about just mindless scrolling through artwork and generic marketing copy ;)
What if your users are from places which has low internet connectivity.. for example. Farmers(next billion users) who needs the onboarding yet +/- 60 seconds videos cant load in their city
It's not for websites but rather for mobile apps where you can embed the video within the app. Also it's only one of the options - in most cases there's no need for ANY onboarding at all if the app is well designed. Many parts can be taken by empty-state designs for example - to guide users what to do.
How about we use something like those short 30 second instagram ads for brands in onboarding. Those ads have some bg music and motion graphics. So it's not cognitively heavy for people and a fun way to welcome and explain about the app.
After listening your thoughts about onboarding screens, now I think I'll replace my onboarding screen with a video before I release the app 🙃
Cheers! And also - if your app is REALLY easy to use it doesn't even need the video ;)
@@MalewiczHype Thanks for your advice 😊
What would your recommendation be for more sophisticated business web systems?
Depends on the system. There can be feature specific onboarding created if features are overly complex - this video is about those typical "pointless" onboardings that just say the same stuff the app store page said already when people were downloading the app ;)
Short and on point
Cheers Chris!
Hmm I'm very torn apart here :) Some bits are very true but overall as a short video targeted (i'm guessing here) to more beginner level audience it's very generic and might do more harm then good.
Maybe better approach would be to say: before you stop doing anything learn why you should do that and to do that, do the research first. There is huge gap in what you said that should be filled with USER RESEARCH and then designing, not just, let's not do that because it's outdated. I get a hint (might be wrong) that approach you described might work for your specific workflow so it might work for you, either way it's a food for thought.
Cheers!
Agree 100% with what you said. While there are valid points on what he said, his argument are not really backed up by extensive user research for every app, business case, and feasibility of doing a video in an app itself.
If onboarding flow is outdated then almost EVERY BIG TECH COMPANIES (e.g. Apple, Windows) out there have outdated research, and we know it’s not the case.
Onboarding usually can be skipped or optional, more data friendly than video which he suggested, straight to the point and not wasting 90 secs, more budget friendly too. That’s just general argument, but all things should be backed up by user research, like you said, and not by some random people who tell you what to do and not do in the internet.
I can totally relate to it! On point!
Thanks! :-)
I respect you more and more after watching this video
Why?
You read my mind in this video!!!
I like your idea of a short video for onboarding (with skipping option) better. It would be great to see some good examples.
We are testing a couple of those in some apps right now - it will take a couple months to gather the data in a good way and convince the clients to let us share it, but I will try :)
Really agreed with you. Thanks for sharing
Perhaps more useful than onboarding screens or videos would be a new feature tour using tooltips so you are only highlighting key areas of the UI that may be less common/more unique for the product. Users can swipe through this tour if they want to skim the content, they can close the tour if they wish or they can take their time to digest the information at their own pace. The point is this gives users more control than a video would. With a video, users need to watch sequentially in order to take in all of the information and this takes away some level of control from users because they are receiving information set at your pace and not set by their own pace.
This is very true
Onboarding doesnt work. It’s just a roablock to TTV (Time-to-value). Onboarding should be getting the user to do the first habit/hook cycle model in the app. This has been a very successful pattern used in Game design for decades.
Yes, very true!
I think you are wrong.
So, having worked on the first engagements and interactions between a user and a new app and tested them, its about more than the esthetics or teaching about the features (it can be about that also), its about persuasion and engagement.
not all users are the same so yes, some users might skip and thats ok. but others will be reassured by this smooth, guided intro to the app.
also not all onboardings are the same, some introduce and guide users to the first actions or customizations users could do to have a smooth and reassuring first use of the app and starting use it instead of having to figure things out for yourself which could happen even with the most intuitive apps.
but lets get into data and outcomes. we build apps for people to use, effectively, efficiently and ideally in a satisfactory or delightful fashion for them for as long as its useful to them.
research shows (sorry, dont have the link but i think scientific litterature can be found) , and tests conducted in projects I have worked on show that users who go through a well done, useful onboarding would usually succeed in starting using the app and would use it longer. which is what we build them for initially. its not about the design, design is not the goal. its a mean to serve someone with a need.
To be fair - I oversimplified because that's how youtube works. What I meant here is the typical scrolling carousel with artwork. There are other kinds of onboarding that we also use including special forms that are one question at a time and presented in a nice, visual way (not a typical form) - these work great too.
The typical "scrolling carousel" saying "oh our app does this and that" is what I referred to here.
I'll do another video sometime soon to clarify this a bit :-)
Thanks, Michal!
Cheers! :)
@@MalewiczHype Why didn't I open your channel years ago? Where have you been?
I've been here since April 2020 ;-)
I haven’t seen any app using a video, I personally would find it even more intrusive and complain why you’re using more Mb of space for something so little.
The in-app on boarding process is much more helpful than the pre onboarding screens. When we do we learn but if you force users to learn all the tricks before actually using the app they'll be lost. Great video Michal 🙌🙏
I agree with your overall point that the current onboarding is pretty useless. The only thing weird is the part where you say that "This is not design". It absolutely is, that is a design pattern for onboarding, if it is effective or not, that is another point. If we take this statement as fact, no app would be "design", since most follow patterns for navigation information hierarchy and so on.
My point was a bit exaggerated - sure, but what I meant by it (in the context of using someone else's graphics for 2/3 of it) is that it's just graphics-design filler, not UI design in the sense of solving a problem ;)
@@MalewiczHype On that point I completely agree. I only see value on these when is not an illustration, but a animation of the feature in focus. The top media shows an example and the bottom texts describe it in a more detailed way. But it is skipped 99% anyway.
What makes his video fun is the exaggerations and the reason behind them.
Thank you Mike this was really helpful
I will tag you when next I explain this idea publicly (this night on twitter
Adobe apps force me through onboarding carousels after every update.
I now actively despise them and will just uninstall apps that use them.
If a program is prepared to needlessly waste my time at the first point of contact, it's only going to get worse from there.
This will be interesting :D
I sure hope so :-)
Pretty much sure the video will be skipped much more frequently than simple text with pictures of the interface or illustrations or animations, and there are some cases when you'd better have a skippable onboarding than not to have it at all... If you're lucky enough to gamify the process of onboarding by mixing relevant information and requestion users' data - everybody is happy. So guys, do onboardings, but only when it's necessary for users and for business.
Of course this is a big simplification (and what isn't right now) - there are cases when some form of onboarding works - but it's mostly interactive onboarding in a way of a form that's one question at a time and delivered in a fun, instructive way.
I meant swiping onboarding screens with artwork and some generic text - the kind most products do and I still stand by it - it's mostly useless :)
@@MalewiczHype good idea is just to ask yourself "Why do I do it at all?" and if the answer is " it will gain a lot of likes on dribbble" or "Everybody does" then it's better not to do it at all. So it's not that onboarding useless - it's just people do it when it's not necessary.
but what if i made those illustrations myself
That's a little bit better - but the general idea is that just scrolling through some artwork with generic messages like "our app does X" isn't really helping the user ;)
@@MalewiczHype I was just being sarcastic. Really great content by the way!
agree with you absolutely :)
You are so right
Personally I would never watch a video over some small instructional slides. One of the reason being in a video there's uncertainty of how much time i need to invest or if it is worth listening to. To me it would be like ugh another video of person back seating user. Putting video of person talking gives a personal touch which is felt to users as kind of having conversation and not many people like this experience. More of technology on a part works on reducing human touch but still give good human experience.
True but I wouldn't dismiss the possibility that the designer just used the onboarding to display its original illustration in that case I wouldn't see a problem because it's not about being able to design the 2/5 of screen of very simple UI but the illustration itself... that could be isometric, 3d , motion graphics animated.... but in some of these examples it would be better to have the illustration/mo graph video separated altogether and maybe in a collection/account that publish only that type of work to avoid confusing potential hirers
Let's not forget that being able to illustrate and animate is a great side skill for prodcut designer that could become brand designer in an agency
Bottom line, make it clear to the employer what is that you're selling
Amen to that
Somebody give this man a trophy!
I'd go with the trophy for participation 🤣
What about using carousel for a feature release? I copied how Google does this and made an instructional GIF showing how to use each improvement. 80% of people completed and 3000 people have viewed.
That depends on the context - if it's before accessing the feature then sure. I mostly mean those silly marketing-style onboardings with some semi-random visual and "our app is cool because X" copy ;)
@@MalewiczHype thanks for the reply man. Love your work.
Mostly I don't use them... And when am in the app just wonder how to use it😂😂😂 so the video i think would be the best way to understand the app basics
Pratically a video funnel or a short funnel.
Disagree here. The onboarding with pictures is pointless - but there are many great onboarding examples where each onboarding slide helps you to fill in a specific piece of information in the right way. Video is eating the mobile data (relevant to many countries) and you need to switch between video and the actual screen with info to be filled in while watching - annoying!
I didn't mean feature-specific onboarding but rather one that's app specific (on first launch) and in that case video is usually embedded inside the app - so someone downloaded it already.
The best approach is to design the forms and screens in a way where you don't need an onboarding for every single feature though :)
I've just started the video, but my ADHD makes me want to ask- what if you've created the illustration yourself?
Personally, 99% of the time, I HATE onboarding screens. Maybe it's my impatience, maybe I've been absorbing too much Don Norma, but I feel like for most apps, you shouldn't need instructions on how to use them, it should be intuitive!
This is exactly my point - in most cases the app should be clear enough from the start so you don't need an introduction to it. And interactive onboardings are of course still a good idea - but swiping through some screens - not so much.
I hate all those trendy onboarding stuff as a user. I feel like the app doesn’t care about my time. So it not respect my time. So why I should respect it back? Nope. It’s so useless and pointless, brings only frustration and disappointment. And wasting my time! Oh, it’s supposed to teach me how to use this app? Guess what! Reading extremely short “manual” before using something new will not teach me how to use it. The actual experience of using the app will. Totally agree with the author. 👍 Startups - get rid of this 💩 and start respect our time.
There is a purpose of onboarding screens. it is to get user to understand the app before they use it. if your app is similar to most apps in the market, there is no need for it but if your app has some functions that users might not be aware of, that can be displayed in the onboarding screens. And to be honest, the idea for putting a video instead is not at all a good or a creative approach. A lot can happen on onboarding screens.
But what do you do, when the client insist to make it xD
You explain to the client the things I explain in this video :-)
Hell yeah, lets design screens nobody reads and they just press skip skip skip skip on.
exactly!
I agree….I learned the hard way, do not go to college for this, its all on youtube, I wont mention the University boot camp UI/UX class that ripped me off for $14k for what I could have learned in Figmas youtube channel….but I should but I wont.
Okay, I agree, but there are apps that are made to solve business problems, because customers don't know the product..
the same customers will click skip the first chance they get on an onboarding flow.
Better to structure the app in a way that facilitates learning how it works
@@MalewiczHype We have the problem in onboarding because people have to do difficult things to get to the app or even the portal. 🙃
@@MalewiczHype So we have to put back and forth button. And how do we solve these onboarding issues without explaining?
I agree and find this very annoying. It should be optional. And if you are in love with the look of the app, it's called "graphic design" and that is what you should be doing instead. You can mix both, which I do because of my background, but if that is your main interest you are in the wrong profession.
how do i get my boss to see this video
Onboarding is a way to wow someone to collect information. Nobody is wow'd by using these same illustrations over and over again.
00:54 Is that quagmire or joe ??? Or quoe or jogmire ???
I believe his name is Stan.
👏👏
showing a video ? nah bro
thats even way more annoying than the onboarding screens...(takes u away more time)
Whoops 😂
i hate these illustrations. We must excrete them from UI designs
people use illustrations as salt bae use gold flakes to cover his mediocre steak
Cześć Malewicz 🤪😍 potrzebuję twojego Instagramu :) Z poważaniem Mateusz
Nie korzystam z Instagrama 🤷
that’s a hell of a point you made there. i hadn’t even realised it until now!🤣🫣