Digital Design Director Catherine Uhlrich Reflects on the Future of Mobile App Design

Catherine Uhlrich, a seasoned Digital Design Director with a diverse portfolio boasting collaborations with industry giants like Nike, H&M, and Google, recently shared her insights on the rapidly evolving landscape of mobile app design. Uhlrich, known for her innovative and strategically driven design initiatives at renowned agencies like Instrument, AKQA, and Base Design, also dedicates her time to nurturing the next generation of design talent.

Uhlrich, an alumni of Gobelins School, a prestigious visual communication and arts school in Paris, recently returned to her alma mater to lead an intensive mobile app design workshop from December 2024 to February 2025. “It was a great honor to run a workshop on app design at Gobelins,” Uhlrich stated. “We challenged the students to pick an existing app and its key feature and rethink it in a totally new way.” Her teaching methodology involved guiding students through market analysis, brainstorming sessions, and UX modules to build new structures, features, and user flows. She then helped the designers focus on the UI, create screens, and justify their conceptual and design choices. She expressed immense satisfaction with the students’ work, highlighting their exceptional performance.

Looking ahead to the future of mobile app design, Uhlrich predicts a wave of innovation. “I believe in the next few years we will see a lot of new apps. It is time we renew our vision and usage of them, there are true opportunities to shake our habits and challenge what’s existing,” she stated. She noted the potential for European and American markets to draw inspiration from the app-driven culture prevalent in Asia. “Whether it is ecom platforms, gaming or social, I can’t wait to see what’s next and to imagine new features. We need to bring back some creativity and positivity to our phones!” she added.

Uhlrich also reflected on the rapid pace of change in mobile app design, emphasizing its inherent link to user behavior and technological advancements. “Product design/apps are tightly linked to its audience and to the tech they run on. iPhone and Android have defined rules in terms of usage and possibilities. Designing for an app is very interesting, you have to organize content according to such a strict screen size.” However, she expressed a desire for more apps that push boundaries. “Today I regret that there aren’t more apps that challenge the established codes. So unfortunately yes, mobile design has changed but has also lost a lot of its fun,” Uhlrich lamented.

The conversation then shifted to the increasing availability of design tools and templates, particularly Canva’s recent entry into app design templates. Uhlrich responded, “I’m not really surprised they are offering templates and if it helps some people, I think it is great. We always need tools.” She conceded the utility of such tools but emphasized the irreplaceable value of human creativity. “But if you or your brand want to stand out, I still believe that human thinking will be the best. There is no shortcut (for now) to replace the thought process and imagination of a designer,” she asserted.

Offering advice to companies venturing into app development, Uhlrich emphasized the importance of detail. “From brand strategy to design concept to the navigation and micro-animations in the UI, every detail matters on such small devices. An app can become the true embodiment of a brand.”

Finally, Uhlrich touched upon her most notable app design projects, highlighting her work on an onboarding app for Chanel’s Visual Merchandisers, which she described as “a beautiful product, with lots of illustrations and animations.” She also hinted at upcoming releases, stating, “And since last year I have two other apps in the works for amazing fashion clients, I can’t wait for them to be released and share it with the world.”

Catherine Uhlrich continues to be a driving force in the digital design realm, seamlessly blending her creative vision, strategic acumen, and passion for education to shape the future of digital experiences. Her insights offer a valuable perspective on the evolving world of mobile app design and the importance of human creativity in shaping the digital landscape.