Designing for mobile is essentially designing for interaction. We don’t so much as view content on our mobile devices as we interact with it, whether by tapping, swiping, pinching and so forth. Excellent interaction design is subtle, almost invisible to the everyday user and designers strive to not get in the way while encouraging user engagement and shaping user behavior.

After all, how often do users notice the way that a menu smoothly slides out onto the screen from the side or the bursting fireworks-like effect that happens when we tap an element to select it? Not so often. We want to celebrate the talented creatives behind great interaction design by kicking off with a monthly series of Top 5 Mobile Interaction Design.

1. Today by Aurélien Salomon

Nobody likes to think about the tasks we have to do, even though we probably do think about them all the time. With the amount of task management apps out there, it kind of seems like we’re almost obsessed with tasks. It does help though when the apps are creatively designed and interactive to the extent of adding some fun to the mundane task of task management.

Today, an emotional tasks app, does just that even though it still remains in the concept phase. With beautiful transitions, great effects and a gesture-driven interface, this app would be a tough nut to develop but surely a pure joy to use. Each element state is apparent and communicated effectively.

Designed by the talented Aurélien Salomon
Images taken from his Dribbble and Behance

2. Elevate App by Elevate, Inc

Train your brain with this highly interactive app. Due to the fast-paced nature of the game (it is a game after all!), it’s easy to let the beautifully crafted animations and transitions pass you by. But while you’re busy building communication and analytical skills, take a quick moment to appreciate the outstanding interaction design of this app.

Elevate consists of various sets of games designed to improve a particular skill. Each game has a distinct, beautiful UI and makes use of plenty of interactive elements to engage the user as well as to provide visual and sensorial feedback through points and bonuses gained that is essential to the learning and development process.

Created by the talented Elevate App Team.�

3. Intertap Game by Cupboard Agency

Could it be that the greatest solution to solve an argument is a hardcore iPhone screen tapping battle between two parties? The creators of the Intertap game concept believe so and looking at the designs, I’m inclined to send any politician this game as soon as it’s completed (very soon, as promised by the creators!). The idea of the game is simple — just tap on your screen to create bombs and finish off your opponents. It’d be great to actually see this game in action but just from the concept, I could imagine Intertap to be the next Space Invaders or Mario Bros for mobile.

What’s lacking at the moment is a clear explanation of the gameplay but the abundance of feedback provides effective clues as to how the game works. I really like that those bursting circles strongly suggest that things are getting blown up.

Concept made by Cupboard Agency

4. Feely Chat App by Jakub Antalík

We featured Feely this month for its beautiful UI but this chat app concept also boasts some amazing interaction design that should be applauded. I’ve mentioned before how mesmerizing the upward floating chat bubble animation is and how it contributes to the natural flow of conversation. The effect of tapping on the circular action button to start a new chat is also pretty smooth and the way that the drawer slides out to reveal your contacts upon swiping right is simply gorgeous. Such effects go a long way to lessen the gap between virtual and online communication.

Designed by the creative Jakub Antalík
Images taken from his Dribbble and Behance

5. Mono by Kickflip

It would seem as though the most mundane of tasks call for a need for greater creativity and interactivity. Mono is a gesture-based task management app that wants you to focus on one task at a time. Still in its concept stage, Mono provides you with a minimalistic and well-designed interface. Use simple gestures to create new tasks and check off completed tasks, no need for lengthy details or endless categorization.

Instead of letting you build lists of tasks as most task management apps do, the simplicity of Mono is meant to guide the user towards defining what’s the most important task of the day and to get rid of clutter in their daily schedules. To do so, it makes great use of white space and animations.