Revamp of Existing App

Elevating the user interface of Youtube

Role

UX/UI Designer

Industry

Entertainment

Duration

2 weeks

a cell phone on a bench
a cell phone on a bench
a cell phone on a bench

User Interface Redesign: Reviving Tactile Design with Modern Minimalism

Introduction

Our redesign transforms an outdated 2015-era app into a modern Skeuomorphic experience that balances retro mechanical aesthetics with a contemporary touch of simplicity. The app retains its iconic "tube with YOU" splash screen, now updated with refined red, black, and white accents, and a tactile, mechanical feel that prioritizes interaction and usability.

Redesign Objectives

  • Blend Skeuomorphism with Minimalism: Introduce tactile, mechanical design elements while avoiding visual clutter.

  • Focus on Interaction: Ensure every tap, press, and swipe feels intentional and responsive, mimicking the physical world.

  • A Familiar Yet Unique Aesthetic: Modernize the interface while preserving its original red-black-white identity, making it recognizable and appealing.

Redesign Process

1. Research & Insights

  • User Expectations: Users crave visually rich interfaces that evoke physical interactions but are not overwhelming.

  • Design Inspirations: Minimalist Sci-Fi visuals from Ex Machina and Oblivion inspired clean lines, glowing highlights, and a subdued mechanical aesthetic.

  • Feedback Analysis: Surveys highlighted a need for an app that felt alive and tactile without sacrificing modern usability standards.

2. Ideation & Planning

  • Color Palette: Enhanced the original red, black, and white colors with subtle gradients and glowing edges to add depth and focus.

  • Typography: Selected a clean sans-serif font with subtle mechanical detailing to complement the design theme.

  • Layout Concepts: Focused on simple, grid-based layouts with mechanical elements like toggles, sliders, and analog-style buttons.

3. Prototyping & Wireframing

  • Wireframes: Outlined a visually restrained design with layered elements that give a tactile impression.

  • Interactive Mockups: Prototyped fluid interactions, ensuring buttons and sliders felt mechanical and responsive.

  • Visual Hierarchy: Established clear navigation paths, accentuated with glowing highlights and shaded layers for depth.


a cell phone on a ledge
a cell phone on a bench

4. Visual Design & Animation

  • Splash Screen: The YOU tube design is now sleeker, with glowing edges and smooth animations that emphasize the brand identity.

  • Buttons & Controls: Each element appears mechanical, with slight shading and haptic-inspired animations to mimic real-world interactions.

  • Tactile Feedback: Simulated pressable buttons and sliding controls with depth and shadow for an interactive feel.

  • Subtle Animations: Introduced smooth transitions and hover effects to guide user interactions without overwhelming the design.

5. Testing & Refinement

  • User Testing: Feedback confirmed that the tactile design created an engaging and intuitive user experience.

  • Accessibility Improvements: Added high-contrast modes and descriptive text for all interactive elements.

  • Performance Optimization: Streamlined animations and transitions to ensure a fast and responsive experience across devices.

Key Features of the New Design

  1. Updated Splash Screen: The tube with YOU now glows subtly, setting a sleek and futuristic tone.

  2. Tactile Interactions: Buttons, sliders, and toggles feel like physical controls with mechanical animations.

  3. Enhanced Visual Depth: Shading and layering create a restrained Skeuomorphic look that feels interactive and modern.

  4. Minimalist Sci-Fi Aesthetic: Clean lines, glowing accents, and a subdued mechanical feel create a visually rich but uncluttered experience.

  5. Responsive Feedback: Every action provides subtle visual and haptic feedback, enhancing the sense of control.

  6. Red-Black-White Theme: Retained and refined for consistency and brand identity.


a cell phone on a table
a cell phone leaning on a ledge
a black cellphone with a white letter on it

Conclusion

This redesign redefines the app’s identity, offering a modern Skeuomorphic experience that balances tactile richness with contemporary simplicity. By giving users an interface that feels alive and mechanical yet uncluttered, we’ve created a design that is not only visually engaging but also intuitive and practical.

Prototype Link

https://www.figma.com/proto/SRjcgxrsuCmhKAAd6NnIRr/mockup-pls-ab-nhi-hora?node-id=69-209&t=XzrjYHgQZJ4Fp0a6-1


Conclusion

This redesign redefines the app’s identity, offering a modern Skeuomorphic experience that balances tactile richness with contemporary simplicity. By giving users an interface that feels alive and mechanical yet uncluttered, we’ve created a design that is not only visually engaging but also intuitive and practical.

Prototype Link

https://www.figma.com/proto/SRjcgxrsuCmhKAAd6NnIRr/mockup-pls-ab-nhi-hora?node-id=69-209&t=XzrjYHgQZJ4Fp0a6-1


Other projects

Kumar Sshalabh

Kumar Sshalabh

Kumar Sshalabh